Multiple OS installations from 1 image file

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit
       #1

    Multiple OS installations from 1 image file


    Is it possible to create multiple OS installations of windows 7 on one machine from one master image file (I'm using True Image 2012)?

    I have several win 7 installs on the same machine for dedicated purposes (Main, Games, Testing, Programing, etc...), and they all are the same up to a point - that is, they share many initial programs, tweeks, service packs, updates, etc.
    Since I reinstall often, I'd like to have a basic image that I can restore from and then only have to minor customizing.
    I used to do this using Acronis Disk Director, and made it so each OS could not see the others, but I'd really rather use Windows 7's own boot menu as it seems much, much cleaner. I'm just not sure if Win 7 would get confused by this.
    Any thoughts?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,161
    7 X64
       #2

    You can boot as many windows installtions as you like using windows boot management.

    I often have over 30 boot menu entries.

    You know that - as you already doing it.

    I can't understand the question
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    SIW2 said:
    You can boot as many windows installtions as you like using windows boot management.

    I often have over 30 boot menu entries.

    You know that - as you already doing it.

    I can't understand the question
    I want to install all of them from a single image file instead of from the windows installation disk. The image file is made from 1 installation which has all the common elements of the different installations I want to make.
    Since they are all created from the same image file they are initially identical which was a big problem with XP (something about partition or disk IDs ?). So my question is would this be an issue in Windows 7 or not?

    Thanks for any help.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 16,161
    7 X64
       #4

    Yes, you can do that.

    Modern imaging apps. will adjust bcd during the restore process.

    You can restore the same image to multiple partitions on the same machine.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    SIW2 said:
    Yes, you can do that.

    Modern imaging apps. will adjust bcd during the restore process.

    You can restore the same image to multiple partitions on the same machine.
    Thanks for the info! That makes my life so much easier

    In the olden XP days, duplicate images or clones of the same OS could cause them to be confused as to where they were really supposed to write to (sometimes writing into the other OS's partition. Exactly why & how this happened I don't know / remember, but I'm glad it's no longer the case.

    Thanks again for the help
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,161
    7 X64
       #6

    Not sure that old imaging apps. will do it tho - anything in the last 3 or 4years should do the job, macrium and paragon both do good free versions.

    Have fun
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 960
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 - 64 Bit
       #7

    siw2 said:
    i often have over 30 boot menu entries.
    30
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #8

    How are the partitions setup? Are they each visible or does each think it's the C: drive? If not, then I would think there would be problems with restoring an image taken from C: then restoring it to a partition that runs as F:

    Am I missing something?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16,161
    7 X64
       #9

    You can take an image of your o/s partition ( usually calls itself C ) - which may be on Disk0 partition 2.

    You can restore that image to any other partition without issue.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #10

    I don't understand how that will work. If you install to C: that means everything in the registry is expecting things to be on C:.

    If you then take an image and restore it to another partition which is F: or G:, anything but C: are you saying Windows 7 will boot and run without any problems?
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 22:36.
Find Us