How to create a "restore point" with Clonezilla

Although this magnificent program has already been discussed in this blog, we must not fail to comment on one of the possibilities that it has as an accessory functionality to Linux maintenance packages: that of creating a exact image of our PC so that if necessary it is possible to restore it to a previous state.

This is a contribution from Daniel Durante, thus becoming one of the winners of our weekly competition: «Share what you know about Linux«. Congratulations Daniel!

Who, coming from the world of Microsoft, has not missed something like a restore point in Linux? Who, after a while of using Linux (if not frequently cleaning tasks of useless configuration files, packages, etc. have been carried out), does not have the impression that their system is "dirty" and decides to resume the task to format and reinstall frequently used programs? Or, even simpler still: who has not regretted installing something or an application does not work as desired and would like to have their machine as it was before the "unfortunate experience". If only there was a restore point like in Windows ...

This is something that Linux has been missing more than once. Although, it must also be said that Windows restore points do not leave the system exactly as it was before the installation of an application. We can easily see this by editing the Windows registry and seeing that, after restoring to a previous state, there are references in the registry of files that corresponded to those of the installation from which it is intended to eliminate any residue.

In this same blog a reference to the Guix package manager that contains this functionality (to create restore points).

Even so, the possibility of using clonezilla seems really attractive since it would not be necessary to remove components individually, it would return the computer to the state of the image that was created, and this would imply not having to reconfigure sizes, themes, etc.

There is also in this blog a reference to the use of Clonezilla with a video tutorial so we do not repeat anything about its handling. Personally I use for the purpose that I indicate an external hard disk connected by usb port and I choose the option disk to image (and to restore, image to disk) using the option 'Beginner' when the cloning program gives to choose the desired user level since with it the expectations to the purpose are fulfilled.

Finally it is worth mentioning waffles. Thanks to this program, very useful for those who own an internet café or experiment a lot with their machine, the programs will forget about the changes made to the system once you restart. Both the modification of the files and the settings will disappear when the computer is restarted. Once the "freeze" function is applied, from there you can make changes to your machine, try potentially dangerous software and carry out the maneuvers you want, since when you restart the system, everything will return to the way it was before "freezing" it.

Video source: Guillermo Vélez


6 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Guillermo Velez said

    Hahaha it's my video !!! I hope you all like it. I really don't care but I would have been excited to be mentioned in the entry as the author of the videotutorial. That my job cost me !!!!
    Very cool blog. I keep it in favorites.

  2.   Let's use Linux said

    Hi Guille!
    Look, we never put the source of the youtube videos for the simple reason that if you click on the video you can go to the original youtube page where it says not only who the author is but you can also his other videos.
    Also, for your peace of mind, we include the source at the end of the article.
    Cheers! Paul.

  3.   MB said

    Ofris only freezes the home, if programs are installed these remain, at least the vast majority

  4.   Jonah Trinity said

    Very good contribution!

  5.   guillermoz0009 said

    Good contribution =)

  6.   Andrew said

    Hi, I'm new here and in the Linux world.
    Where is the link of the videotutorial?

    Salu2