Backup and restore "fresh" Windows 7 disk image

Tomorrow my new Samsung netbook will be delivered, Windows 7 Starter is preinstalled. I haven't had a netbook before, and I haven't used Windows 7 before.

I'd like to make an image of the HDD immediately after unpacking. I need to play around with Windows 7 and I probably want to remove bloatware. I may even want to install Ubuntu Netbook Edition. But in any case, I'd like to able to restore the original, clean HDD image.

What would be the best strategy to do this? Make an image (using eg. Partition Image) before even starting up Windows 7? Make an image after running Windows 7 once (perhaps it needs to register / validate / activate)? I do not want to get into trouble with multiple activation.

Thanks,

I always use Acronis True Image to make an image immediately after initial startup and activation.

Originally Posted by patcooke

I always use Acronis True Image to make an image immediately after initial startup and activation.

Thanks Pat. So right after activation, that eliminates the risk of activation problems. Good idea, I'll do that as well.