You seem to be a dab hand with the asterisks.
Windows 7 can do this without third-party tools, via a combination of a recovery CD which you create from time to time (in case you get to the stage where you can't boot) coupled with System Image Recovery (which relies on having a SystemImageBackup available, usually on an external drive). All of these features are accessible from Windows 7's backup and restore system.
There are a couple of almost irrelevant gotchas, such as SIR won't recover to a drive smaller than the original (which isn't a problem these days). Third-party utilities may have a few more features.