I have win7 Ultimate and it lets you make a complete disc image of the whole computer/system etc........on a regular basis I take a complete image and have it stored on an external hard drive.....if the main computer goes endup I just do a complete re-install....and than means everything is installed as I had it...folders,icons,shortcuts,programes....etc....etc......all in 45mins...in one easy opperation!!!!.....did it when I fitted a new hard drive...disconnect old one...fit new one...insert image initiate cd and connect backup external hard drive..pres go....wait 45mins......nice computer as you left it!!!!

Not as fast, but Windows Home Server will so the same to a PC. The biggest difference is WHS does the backup automatically at 3 in the morning. If replacing a drive, have always found it quicker to use Norton Ghost.

Also win7 ultimate has "backward" xp run options too!!

Win7 has the ability to run XP 'properly' as a virtual (assuming you've got the right hardware). As long as you're not trying to run something uber-graphics intensive, does a spot-on job. The 'run as' compatibility option (you can run all the way back to Win95, but no WinME option - can't think why ) has never really done it for me. Apps are only made to think they're running under a previous Windows, however you slice it, under the skin 7 is nothing like the others. (Except WinFista, but that's disappearing as fast as the Mistake Edition.) Given the need to run an 'oldie' I'd head for a virtual every time.

You know if you want to run windows XP that much you can always just get VM ware or virtual box and install it in there