Wbadmin from cmd of a recovery disk

SIW2 said:

I have posted before how to restore a windows image from the command line in winre.

It is too complicated for the average user.

That is why MS created the GUI.

You can't create an image from standard winre.

Much better to use Macrium or Paragon.

Sadly, I have stopped using Macrium for the moment.

It doesn't work on my system.

I understand all the other options. My idea was to find an option that requires minimal tools and used something (installation or repair disc) that most people would have.

For us these things are easy because we have an arsenal of tools. But what does the non-geek do when the system comes to a screeching halt and they want to rescue their data from C:\.

Linux works, but that is too steep a learning curve for most people. And many times they do not even have access to a second system to burn a Linuc CD.

It does list Wbadmin with /?

The funny thing is that it does not say that 'Wbadmin' is invalid - it says the 'Start Backup' is invalid. Maybe the other parameters work, but I have not tried those.

SIW2 said:

Wbadmin is included in winre.

It is only for restoring.

There is no backup command - it does not exist in the client versions of windows winre.

You have to use a 3rd party app. for that.

Hmm, I guess that voids my little plan.

mjf said:

You can definitely use wbadmin from an OS command prompt to create an image with one line. I've done it. Now from memory I think it creates the same folder structure you find in WindowsImageBackup.

Exactly; I have done that many times - especially for my data partitions where I mount the VHD if I have to look for a folder that I have deleted in the meantime.

But from the recovery/installation DVD it does not seem to be possible - too bad. If I have to help somebody out who just mucked up his system and has his data on C:\ (and no images or restore points), I will use the Macrium PE DVD. But many other people will not have that to rescue their data.