Forcing Win7 to use a different backup

[MikalE]

I am curious about this. I have no need to use it but would still like an answer if someone knows.

Is it possible to force Win 7 to use a backup meant for another Win 7 system when they are stored on the same external storage drive?

If not, why not?

[Utwig]

Win7 image backup consists of folder with lattest VHD-like drive and zips containing differentials for previous backup copies. You can't tell one computer to use another's image, but you can back up multiple computers to same drive. You can also add more drives to the backup and it will use the connected one.

[MikalE]

Thanks. I have all of my backups from five different Windows 7 systems on one drive.

I just wondered how Windows knows which one to use without being prompted and why you can't specify a backup to use from another computer.

[shawross]

I am not sure how Windows knows (maybe MAC address) but make sure you have separate "system repair disks" for each system.