For the restore process, will Windows find the image "WindowsImageBackup" even if it is located in a folder?
Ex: I create an image of my entire system "WindowsImageBackup" in an external hdd (say D and then I move it to a folder (say "2012-10-01") at D:.
In this scenario should I expect that in a restore, the "WindowsImageBackup" image will be discovered or not? (can I go the folder in D: that I want to do the restore or can I just go to D
Sorry, but no. The WindowsImageBackup folder must be in the root directory of the drive.
I would also recommend to not move this folder to another location. Doing so can risk it not being able to be used to do a System Image Recovery with.
If you are wanting to keep multiple different images, then I find that renaming the WindowsImageBackup folder in it's original save to location like in the blue "Note" box at the top of the tutorial below works great.
Oops...
Thanks for the info I think I ruined all my 4 images so!
I did what you recommend in your tuto (WindowsImageBackup-copy-n) but then, after reading some posts, I created separate folders and move each WindowsImageBackup-copy-n to one of those folders! Then I renamed the WindowsImageBackup-copy-n to the original WindowsImageBackup.! My idea (I should have asked before doind that) was that if the restore could dig to a folder I had already the WindowsImageBackup renamed!
So, do you think that if I rename each of one again to WindowsImageBackup-copy-n and then move each one to the root directory they will be usable? Or are they realy ruined?
Brink will be able to tell you for certain i'm sure but i think that is fine, as long as you put the 'WindowsImageBackup' in the root when you come to do the restore it should be fine.
Yep, they should be, but you just have to rename whichever one you want to use for a System Image Recovery back to the default WindowsImageBackup first though.
I just find that when moving the WindowsImageBackup folder around like that introduces to many unknown variables into the mix. If not put back properly, it may not be usable. That's the main reason why I don't recommend it. The renaming option I posted above about is much easier to do IMO, but to each their own.
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks Brink
It seems that some folks have no problems when move the WindowsImageBackup folder to another folder in the same disc/partition and then just before a restore, move the WindowsImageBackup folder again to the root directory of the drive!
My backup external hdd have just one partition (I just formated the disc and use it like that, only for the backups!).
What I really need to do is a restore, because with the backup procedure everyhing is ok!
How can I test a restore without messing with my system?
Absolutely. For me this was the only safe way I had confidence in system imaging. You can also play and learn safely. The price of HDDs has dropped again so if you have $50-$80 it is the way to go. Also you have a cold standby HDD.
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Own build
OS
Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
CPU
Intel i7 2600k
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe
Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws (DDR3-1600) 2x4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce GTS 450; Intel HD Graphics 3000(GT2+)