System Image Recovery

How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to restore your Windows 7 hard disk back to exactly how it was when you created a system image backup.

   Warning

• You can only do a system image recovery to a HDD that is the same size or larger than the one the system image was created from. You will not be able to do a system image recovery to a smaller HDD.
• When you restore your computer from a image backup, it is a complete restoration. You can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your current programs, system settings, and files are replaced.
• If your backup image is on a external device (ex: USB drive), then make sure it is connected before starting. If USB drive, then also make sure that you have your BIOS settings (ex: Legacy USB) set to allow USB devices at boot.
• A system image recovery will format everything on each hard drive that was included in a system image, and will only restore what is included (see steps 7-9 in STEP TWO below) in the system image back. Be sure to backup anything that you do not want to lose that is not included in the system image backup first.

STEP ONE

Only if You Renamed the "WindowsImageBackup" Folder

   Note

To be able to have multiple versions of system images saved on the same drive or partition, you would need to rename the older WindowsImageBackup folder from the previously created system image as described in the NOTE box at the top of this tutorial.

If you renamed the WindowsImageBackup folder for the system image version that you wanted to restore, then you will need to do the steps below before you will be able to restore that system image.

1. If you are "Able to Boot" into Windows 7 A) In Windows Explorer, navigate to the renamed (drive letter)\WindowsImageBackup folder location of the system image that you want to restore.

B) If you already have a folder named WindowsImageBackup that is not the system image version that you want to restore, then you will need to right click on it, click on Rename, and type in say WindowsImageBackup-Copy-2 as an example.

C) Now, right click on the renamed system image version (ex: WindowsImageBackup-Copy-1) that you did want to restore, click on Rename, type in WindowsImageBackup an press enter.

D) Go to the STEP TWO section below to do the System Image Recovery.
2. If you are "Not Able to Boot" into Windows 7 A) If you have the system image backup save to an external device, be sure that it is connected now.

B) Open a command prompt at boot.

C) In the command prompt, type diskpart and press enter. (see screenshot below)

D) In the command prompt, type list volume and press enter. (see screenshot below)

E) Make note of the drive letter (ex: E: ) that you have the system image backup saved to.

F) In the command prompt, type exit and press enter. (see screenshot below)

G) In the command prompt, type the E: and press enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Subsititute E: for your actual drive letter at step 2E instead.

H) If you already have a folder named "WindowsImageBackup"

NOTE: This is if you already have a folder named WindowsImageBackup that is not the system image version that you want to restore. If so, you would need to rename it to say WindowsImageBackup-Copy-2 as an example.

• In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter. (see screenshot below)
  NOTE: Substitute WindowsImageBackup-Copy-2 in the command below with any name in quotes that you would like to rename it to instead.

[B]ren WindowsImageBackup "[COLOR=red]WindowsImageBackup-Copy-2[/COLOR]"[/B]

I) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Substitute WindowsImageBackup-Copy-1 in the command below with the actual name of your renamed system image folder in quotes that you want to use to restore instead.

[B]ren "[COLOR=red]WindowsImageBackup-Copy-1[/COLOR]" WindowsImageBackup[/B]

J) Close the command prompt window. (see screenshot below)

K) Continue on to step 3B in the STEP TWO section below to do the System Image Recovery.

STEP TWO

To Do the System Image Recovery

1. If you have the system image backup save to an external device, be sure that it is connected and turned on (powered up) now.
A) Start with either step 2 or step 3 below first.
2. From "Backup and Restore" in the Control Panel while in Windows 7 A) Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on Backup and Restore.

B) Click on the Recover system settings on your computer link. (see screenshot below)
C) Click on the Advanced recovery methods link. (see screenshot below)
D) Select the Use a system image you created earlier to recover your computer option. (see screenshot below)
E) Select to either create a Back up now, or to Skip it and continue the system image recovery without backing up any of your current files.
NOTE: If you select Back up now, it will take you to step 6 in this tutorial link to create a User and System File back up of your current files first before continuing to step 1F. (see screenshot below)
F) Click on Restart. (see screenshot below)



G) Select a languange to be used for your keyboard input and click on Next. (see screenshot below)
H) Go to step 4.
3. From the System Recovery Options Screen at Boot A) Boot to the System Recovery Options screen from your Windows 7 installation DVD/USB, or System Repair Disc.

B) Select the System Image Recovery option. (see screenshot below)
4. If you saved the system image backup to a set of DVDs, then insert the last DVD from the set when prompted. If not, go to step 5 for a system image backup on a hard drive. A) Go to step 7 below.
5. To Use the Latest System Image A) Select (dot) Use the latest available system image and click on Next. (see screenshot below)
B) Go to step 7.
6. To Select a System Image A) Select (dot) Select a system image, and click on Next. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: This is if the system image that you want to use is not listed here and is at another location that you wish to choose from instead.

B) Select the location of the backup image for the computer you want to restore from the list, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)

   Note

To add a image from a network location, click on the Advanced button, and on the Search for a system image on the network option.

If the drive cannot be seen to select a system image from, then you may need to use the tutorial below to load your SATA or RAID drivers before it will be seen. You would click on the Advanced button, and on the Install a driver option.

SATA Drivers - Load in Windows 8 System Image Recovery

C) Select the date and time of the system image to restore, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)
7. To Do a Full System Image Recovery
NOTE: This option will format everything on each hard disk drive that was included in the system image, then restore them as they were when the system image was created.

   Note

Format and repartition disks box:
NOTE: Special thanks to MJF for this addition. 1) Grayed out and selected
You are forced to have the whole disk formatted and repartitioned to match the partition structure of the disk the image was made from. This can occur when restoring an image to a new disk or the original disk with a modified partition structure. Data on other partitions on the disk you are restoring to will be lost.

2) Grayed out and unselected
You are not given the option to format and repartition the disk. This will occur if you are restoring Windows from a partition on the same disk.

3) Not grayed out and unselected
Here you have the option to select format the whole disk and repartition or not. In this case the disk the image was taken from has a matching partition structure to the disk you are restoring the image to. By not selecting the format and repartition option your image will be restored and other partitions untouched such as valuable data partitions.

A) Check the Format and repartition disks box (if not grayed out) and uncheck Only restore system drives box (if available), and click on Next. (see screenshots below)


B) Go to step 10.
8. To Only Restore System Drives in System Image Recovery
NOTE: When restoring to the same disk containing data partitions, the Format and repartition disks option may format the data partitions as well. If this is the case and you have the option to leave the Format and repartition disks box unchecked, then initially attempt your image recovery with the Format and repartition disks box unchecked. If recovery is unsuccessful, repeat the process with the format box ticked. A) If available, check the Only restore system drives box, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)
B) Go to step 10.
9. To Exclude Restoring Specific Drives in System Image Recovery
NOTE: Since a system image recovery will format everything on each hard disk drive that was included in a system image, this will allow you to exclude specific disks so that specific disk will not be formated or restored. A) Check the Format and repartition disks box , and click on the Exclude disks button (if not grayed out). (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the Exclude disks button is grayed out, then the HDD that you are restoring to is empty, or you do not have any disks in the system image that are able to be excluded from being restored.
B) Unselect the drives that you want to exclude from being restored.

C) Click on Next.
10. Click on Finish. (see screenshot below)
11. Click on Yes. (See screenshot below)
12. You will now see this screenshot below.
NOTE: If you have the backup image on DVDs, have them ready. See step 4 above.
13. When it is through, click on Restart Now to finish. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Your computer will restart and the backup image restoration will be done.
14. If you created a backup in step 1E, then you will now see this option to Restore my files after the computer restarts. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7
• How to Create a "Create a System Image" Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Restore Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
• How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7
• How to Backup and Restore the Windows 7 Registry
• How to Enable or Disable the Ability to Create a System Image in Windows 7
• How to Extract Files from Windows 7 System Image using Virtual PC
• How to Extract Windows 7 System Image Files Using Disk Management
• How to Restore your System with a Broken Windows 7 System Image
• How to Manually Extract Files from a Backup in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Create a System Recovery Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 Backup and Restore Shortcut
• How to Restore a Partition Image From a HDD to a SSD
• How to Delete Windows 7 User Data and System Image Backup Files
• How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows System Image Recovery
• New Installation: How to Create a General System Image in Audit Mode

 

[SIW2]

Disk Management will have changed the disk signature on the HD for you when you brought it online.

Macrium is a great app. - I have been using it a while. Paragon is another favorite - much bigger program with loads of functions.

 

[rsvr85]

Hey Shawn, great tutorial, thank you

I have a couple of questions;

I reinstalled Windows and all of my programs and then made the system image so it was completely fresh. (only 20GB)

During the creation of the image i only imaged my C: drive (where Windows and my programs are installed) all of my personal files are on another partition on the same hard drive - D:
After the image was created i have since shrunk C: by 15GB

I went ahead and attempted the image restoration, i received a few warning about the hard drive being formatted and restored as per the system image data.

Will D: be blown away or will it remain intact?
Will C: be extended back up 15GB?
Will i need to reinstall any programs or will they work the same as they did when i created the image?

Sorry for the confusing post, i hope you can help clarify.

 

[Brink]

Hello Stu,

A system image recovery will format everything on your hard drive and restore only what is included in the system image backup. Any changes made after the image was created will not will not be restored. Be sure to backup anything that you do not want to lose that is not included in the system image backup that you are restoring first.

 

[rsvr85]

OK, so just to be sure. My data partition ( D: ) will be wiped? (the image only included C: )
And the shrink i made to C: will also be undone thus loosing whatever is on that partition?

 

[Brink]

Yep, it will wipe that hard disk, and everything done after the system image was created will not be included in the restoration since it was not included in the system image backup. If you want the D: partition and the shrink from C: included, then you will need to create a new system image backup with D: selected as well.

 

[rsvr85]

Thanks Shawn

I'm glad i didn't go ahead with it now!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Stu.

 

[polycue]

OK, so just to be sure. My data partition ( D: ) will be wiped? (the image only included C: )
And the shrink i made to C: will also be undone thus loosing whatever is on that partition?

Yep, it will wipe that hard disk, and everything done after the system image was created will not be included in the restoration since it was not included in the system image backup. If you want the D: partition and the shrink from C: included, then you will need to create a new system image backup with D: selected as well.

Doesn't the option to exclude disks imply that he could avoid overwriting his D: partition?

 

[Brink]

Hello Pat,

They may work, but I have not tried it myself though.

 

[catherine]

Live and learn...sigh

They may work, but I have not tired it myself though.

You seem 'tired' Brink...giggle Let me try

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Volume (C 20.00 GB NTFS
Fresh Win 7-Pro installation...6 Gigs used

Programs-Docs (P
150 GB NTFS
40 Megs used. One programs installed
Firefox

62.88 GB unallocated.

An image of C: was created onto a WD_MyBook USB drive while in Windows.
Then I booted to another instance of Windows 7 Pro located on a second internal HD.
I went to Disk Management and deleted the New Volume partition and then browsed
(P and the Firefox folder and all its files remained intact.


I then unplugged that second hard drive and booted from the Windows Recovery Disk
and ran the restore program. And wrongly chose NOT to exclude disks....sigh.
It was just one program so it wasn't a catastrophe.
I will re-install FireFox to my Program and Document drive and then take a cue
from poly and try it once again. I'll let you know how it goes.
PS..the restore took all of 10 mintues! WOOHOO!!!
PPS...The restore did partition the drive exactly as it had found it
with 20GB, a 150GB partitions and 62.88GB unallocated. NICE!

 

[Brink]

LOL, I was a bit "tired" though.

I'm happy to hear that it seems to be going good so far.

 

[catherine]

Hope this doesn't stop yer chuckling

DANG! It was all there in black and pink....

"A system image recovery will format EVERYTHING on your hard drive and restore
ONLY what is included in the system image backup."

Yup! I tried and now i'm tired.
And so i bid adieu to Windows Imaging till they come out with Version 2.
Windows Imaging is a DISK imaging program, not a PARTITION imaging program.
It will IMAGE a partition, but will only RESTORE to an entire disk.
The 'exclude disk' parameter excludes OTHER disks on the system. If you
chose to exclude THE disk that contains partitions beside THE one you imaged,
then Windows Imaging halts with a prompt that says 'get a life ditz'.
For OBVIOUSLY you can't exclude the disk you wish to restore the particular
partition to. DUH me!!!

Partimaging is such sweet sorrow
Back to the future....Linux and PING and Windows Dream.

 

[polycue]

DANG! It was all there in black and pink....

"A system image recovery will format EVERYTHING on your hard drive and restore
ONLY what is included in the system image backup."

Did you get this message because you had checked the "Format and repartition disks" option?

 

[SIW2]

I don't think that is an option.

It is a warning. I assume if you click No - then it won't do the restore.

http://www.shivaranjan.com/shivaupl...itionorH_6F6/windows7recoversystemimage10.png

It is asking if you want to continue. It is not asking if you want to restore without formatting the entire Disk.

Catherine appears to be right.

Much better to use a 3rd party app. - there are some great free ones.

 

[KekszNET]

D: won't be overwritten

Hi there,

after I spent hours because of wrong descriptions, and forum threads, and moved my 1TB data to an other disc (partition D: ), and let Windows 7 to restore my system (from the system image, which was created of the partition C: ), the partition whit all the data hasn't been changed!

Thanks! Why just they wrote disc will be formated, and NOT partition?

So, if you have C: and D: on the same HDD, but your system image is on a 2nd HDD, than you don't need to backup D: --if you trust Microsoft--, because if you have only C: in the system image, as backup, it won't harm D: with all of your data(!).

It took me ~ 3 hours to backup all my data, but I have moved the whole big files, and after Windows didn't formated the whole HDD, only the first partition!!!

Now it will cost me an other 3 hour to copy them back.
Nice! isn't it?

 

[Brink]

Hello KeksxNET, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I'm sorry to hear that. Usually the hard disk is formatted that includes the drive letters included in the system image backup. It would have been best to backup your data and be safe than not to have done so and risk loosing it all.

 

[wizbit]

DANG! It was all there in black and pink....

"A system image recovery will format EVERYTHING on your hard drive and restore
ONLY what is included in the system image backup."

Yup! I tried and now i'm tired.
And so i bid adieu to Windows Imaging till they come out with Version 2.
Windows Imaging is a DISK imaging program, not a PARTITION imaging program.
It will IMAGE a partition, but will only RESTORE to an entire disk.
The 'exclude disk' parameter excludes OTHER disks on the system. If you
chose to exclude THE disk that contains partitions beside THE one you imaged,
then Windows Imaging halts with a prompt that says 'get a life ditz'.
For OBVIOUSLY you can't exclude the disk you wish to restore the particular
partition to. DUH me!!!

Partimaging is such sweet sorrow
Back to the future....Linux and PING and Windows Dream.

I was reading on this website The Storage Team at Microsoft - File Cabinet Blog : Learn more about system image backup

and it quoted "Create a new image after a disk layout change ­– During system image recovery, the UI will check if the current layout on the disk matches the layout information captured in the backup. If it matches, then it will allow restoring only the data in the critical partitions without formatting and recreating partitions on the entire disk. However if the layout has been changed, then it will need to recreate the partitions using information from the backup, which means formatting the entire disk and potentially deleting any non-critical partitions and their data. Therefore it’s recommended that if you ever change the disk layout on your computer, you should create a new system image to allow for a more flexible recovery experience. "

So was your layout different from the image to the restore? If not it says it should not do that.

I am very interested as my main drive has 3 partitions on it (system C and two data drives E & F) and I only want to image the Main system partition to another independent drive.
And if I restore just that partition I only want that system partition to be formated and restored leaving the other two data partitions not changed and untouched.

 

[Win7dba]

Will Win 7 Restore Image also restore my Office 2k7 software (Binaries and Data) that are on my HDD(s) without having to reinstall Office 2k7? And can I use the image to restore to a different machine (same mobo / disk arrangement)?

 

[Brink]

Helo Win7dba, and welcome to Seven Forums.

A system image is a complete copy/clone of the selected hard drives as they were when you created it, so yes it will also include the Office 2k7 if it was on a selected hard drive. If the different machine has the exact same motherboard brand and model, then yes you can restore that machine as well. However, if that motherboad has a different serial number you will not be able to activate it unless you uninstall it from any prevouse machine first or enter a new product key number.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Win7dba]

Will Image keeping Office 2k7 and other binaries?

Thanks Shawn -

I'll have to give it a try (restore Image to the same computer (comp-a).

As far as using the Windows 7 Image to restore from an Image taken on (comp-a) to a different computer (comp-b) I think I'll have a code key issue.

Since the chipid on (comp-b) will be different from the Image taken from (comp-a), I'll probably have to use the original code key as (comp-b) had in the first place and re-activate.

Thoughts?