PCmover Image Assistant Restores XP or Vista Disk Images to Windows 7 PCs

estoring a disk image to a computer generally means that any existing content on the hard drive is wiped out, and the machine is returned to a previous state with a specific OS installation, settings, programs, documents, etc. Essentially, the restoration process “turns back time” on a PC to the exact moment when the restore image was created. With the advent of PCmover Image Assistant, Laplink Software is introducing a new concept when it comes down to restoring a disk image. According to the Bellevue-based company, PCmover Image Assistant brings to the table “operating system independent restore” capabilities. 

This means that an image of a certain computer can be restored to a different PC without the hard drive needing to be wiped out. In fact, the promise from Laplink Software is that PCmover Image Assistant will keep in place the existing operating system on the PC on which the restoration is performed. Specifically, users will be able to restore Windows XP or Windows Vista images to Windows 7 computers. 

“The big misconception about disk imaging software is that once you create an image of your PC, you’re safe,” Laplink CEO Thomas Koll noted. “The idea that you can always restore an image is false. Current disk imaging technology limits restoration so the user is stuck with their existing operating system. They are trapped. But we’re changing that.” By leveraging PCmover Image Assistant, users of Windows 7 computers can restore XP and Vista images right on their machine, while keeping in place the latest version of Windows. Not only this, but Windows 7 will offer access to the same data, files and programs as the operating system contained in the image. “This is a new generation of imaging technology,” Koll added. “With Image Assistant, we are not replacing disk image software currently in use, but rather we are making that software — and existing images — useful in the context of Windows 7.” Of course, customers should be aware of a range of issues that could impact their experience with restoring XP and Vista images on Windows 7 PCs. PCmover Image Assistant is not a cure for software compatibly. XP and Vista that are incompatible with Windows 7 will remain incompatible even if moved with PCmover Image Assistant. At the same time, PCmover Image Assistant doesn’t play nice with some hardware drivers, with DRM protected content, with copy-protected applications, with antivirus and antispyware solutions, or with trial software. “PCmover Image Assistant is currently available for presale at a 50% discount from its suggested retail price of $39.95,” the company indicated, namely for USD 19.97, EUR 15.97, GBP 13.97. This offering is limited to today, May 26, 2010.