Move boot files from EFI partition to system partition?

[Josep]

Hello everyone,
I usually install my OS myself but when I bought this computer I asked the store to install the Windows 7 Professional x64 disc I purchased with it.
Today I decided to do a long long overdue backup to the system partition. My backup software of choice is DriveImage XML, been using it for years with good resaults, however, when examining my system partition, I couldn't find the boot manager. After some searching I found that the boot files are not in the system partition. I assume this because disc management shows a 100MB EFI partition and 'diskpart>list disk' shows the HDD to be GPT.
As far as I know, DriveImage XML cannot backup the EFI partition and backing up the Windows partition alone will not allow me to restore the computer in case of hard drive failure.

So my question is: Is it possible to remove this UEFI nonsense, copy the boot files to the system partition (aka Windows partition, drive C) and make windows boot from there without uninstalling the OS?

 

[AddRAM]

Just try using Macrium Reflect free edition to image both partitions before you make any changes.

Please post a shot of disk management, fully expanded.

 

[Josep]

Hey AddRAM, thanks for replying!
Trying other backup software is something I wanted to avoid, but if what I'm asking for isn't possible or very complicated I guess I won't have much choice :/
As for diskmgmt, it's not in English so I'm not sure it would help you deduce anything... Is there some specific information you're looking for?

 

[gregrocker]

If your imaging app supports the new UEFI BIOS' then it should include the EFI System partition and any accompanying hidden partitions by default. If not use Macrium Imaging - Windows 7 Help Forums as suggested which is easy, nearly effortless.

You must have the EFI System partition and often one other MSR hidden partition to boot an EFI install. Unlike MBR installs, this cannot be moved into C with Win7.

 

[logicearth]

Just for FYI, to boot Windows on a UEFI motherboard not in legacy mode. You need the EFI partition.

 

[AddRAM]

Just post the shot, we`ll figure it out, we know what we`re looking at

 

[gregrocker]

Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

 

[Josep]

If your imaging app supports the new UEFI BIOS' then it should include the EFI System partition and any accompanying hidden partitions by default. If not use Macrium Imaging - Windows 7 Help Forums as suggested which is easy, nearly effortless.

I'll probably try Reflect either way, but I still want to know if what I ask for is even possible.

Just for FYI, to boot Windows on a UEFI motherboard not in legacy mode. You need the EFI partition.

Yes, I did manage to figure this out myself, however, my question was if it is possible to change to legacy mode and then boot Windows 7 from a GPT drive without reinstalling.

Just post the shot, we`ll figure it out, we know what we`re looking at

Sure, here it is:


Thanks for all the help so far, guys.

 

[gregrocker]

When you install or boot Macrium app or boot disk, it will have the EFI partition and C pre-checked to select. Back those up to external or another hard drive.

When ready to restore the image, open Macrium or boot its disk, select Recover, browse to the image and open it, drag the two partitions down to the target disk which you've either already wiped or use the links below the partitions to delete. You can resize the C partition to desired size using the same link below the dragged partition. Then apply the image with all the presets that will handled everything by default.