I just did the same and was informed by a knowledgeable custom computer builder that you can take a program like Acronis True Image, NOT install the program, but still make an image file of your C drive using the program, that comes in handy in just these kind of situations. In fact, I already had an image file that I used, that was on a "samples" drive, that got me going much quicker.  I've since updated/created a newer image file that contains all the additiional programs, plugs, etc that I also have installed, since that original image file.

My biggest headache was Toontrack, which I did NOT have on my original C drive image, and thus required all the recent updating, registering...and all that stuff again.  This latest image will not require having to go thru that again.
 
Btw, I got my Acronis HARD COPY by ordering online, which is the *format* what you want, for about $25... about 1/2 at what you'd spend at a "Best Buy", etc. 

btw...I thought making the image file was so slick...I made a video about it.  The vid explains a little bit more, but I pretty much covered it all in my above post.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfa9BxFgyJo
 

You can make a hard copy of Acronis from the downloaded version btw.

I believe that is correct, but was told to get the hard copy, as that gives you the bootable DVD.  I suppose you can create a DVD from the download as well, but I wasn't positive.  Thx for the heads up.

mixmkr
I believe that is correct, but was told to get the hard copy, as that gives you the bootable DVD.  I suppose you can create a DVD from the download as well, but I wasn't positive.  Thx for the heads up.

Doesn't the program have all sorts of options for making a recovery disc etc? It's been a long time since I looked at it in detail. 

To be honest, I did NOT install the program.  But...going from memory again,  when booting from the DVD, it allows you some options...one...to open Windows...and another one is to create an image file or restore from, with all the various options. IOW, you can choose your option where you'd like to store your recovery/image file....and actually what you image as well.  It also allows for various levels of compression too, with the "normal" setting, cutting image files in about half.  My C drive is about 100gigs with all the programs and stuff...so way too much for a optical disk or flash drive.  An external drive is perfect for this....and I ended up with about a 60gig image file, that will recreate my C drive when using their default "normal" compression setting.   I'm sure when the program is installed, there is much more, like you suggest.  Also automated scheduling and all that stuff that lurks in the background, that probably most of us don't want.
 
The idea of NOT installing the program, is you can use the features on as many computers as you'd like.  Otherwise the license is for ONE computer...or 3 for the "family price" which is about twice the cost of retail.
 
But to more specifically try to answer your question... the included DVD is the boot disk...and then you make your recovery file, as I described, with your various choices

robert_e_bone
Never mind - I am an idiot.  (Edited to remove dumb post on my part).

Can I have that for my sig?

Bapu, making you happy is what I am all about, so sure - have at it.  :)
 
Bob Bone