DriveImage XML creates a "photocopy" image of your hard drive. 

This is different than just backing up your files - with an image backup, you can restore your entire computer to the way it was, including all installed programs and settings.  Basically, when you restore it, your computer  boots up the way it was when you did the backup - same desktop icons, all your programs, settings, data - even the files in your recycle bin are still there!