How to create a Windows 10 Image | Tutorial | How to Back up System

Using the Windows 10 operating system, unfortunately, suggests various errors that can lead to the loss of certain important data, so the need for backup when working with the OS can not be overestimated.

And in this article we will talk about one of the favorite actions of all system administrators - the creation and use of "backups".

Backup (better known as backup) is the process of creating an image of the available data, intended for their further storage and, if necessary, restoration for later use.

How to make a Windows system image - possible options

It is worth paying tribute to Microsoft: you can create a backup copy (image) of the windows 10 operating system by standard means, it is done in an elementary way and does not take as much time as it might seem at first glance.

Microsoft made it very convenient: you can create a backup copy (image) of the windows 10 operating system using standard tools, it is done in an elementary way and does not take as much time as it might seem at first glance.

How to backup Windows - Method 1

It should be noted that in order to save and subsequently use the created backup, an external storage medium with sufficient free memory (at least 10 GB) or network folders is required.

So, to create a Windows system image:

• Click on the corresponding “Search” icon in the quick menu next to the “Start” button.
• In the search bar, enter "Backup Options" and open the result.

In the "Settings" window that opens, in the "Backup Service" section, click on the line "Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)."

Next, open the "Create a System Image" section.

In the next window, select one of the proposed options: “On the hard disk”, “On DVD discs” or “In network folder”.

Please note that in order to save the created image, the medium must meet several requirements:

• If a hard disk partition is selected, then it should not be on the same physical medium as the active system disk.
• When choosing an external medium, it must be formatted in the NTFS file system.

At the next stage - when the choice of the backup location has been made - you will need to choose which partition of the disk is to be saved (by default, select two sections “Reserved by the system” and “System”) and click on the “Start backup” button.

The final step in creating a backup of the system is the proposal to create a recovery disk, which will be required if there is no installation disk of the Windows operating system.

That"s all - wait for the backup process to complete (this can take a long time - it all depends on the OS being “cluttered”) and you can use the created image in your work.

How to create a system image - Method 2

The second method involves the use of the “DISM” utility / tool - this is a command-line program used to work with Windows OS images.

To do this, you will need to pre-boot into the Windows recovery environment:

Option 1

• Click "Start" - "Settings" and go to the "Recovery" tab.
• Pay attention to the “Special boot options” block and click on the “Restart now” button.
• After rebooting, the restored Windows will automatically boot.

Option 2

• Use the installation media (for example, bootable USB flash drive) with the operating system image and boot the system from it.
• At the first stage of installation - before starting the installation - select the "System Restore" section.
• In the window that opens, select "Troubleshooting."
• Next, you will be given the opportunity to select 1 of 6 options for working with the recovery environment, where you need to select "Command Prompt".

Further work will be carried out directly with the “DISM” utility and the command line console.

First you need to select (or rather find) the system disk from which archiving / creating a backup copy of the system image will be carried out (since its designation in the recovery environment may differ from that displayed in the system itself):

• Run the "diskpart" command by typing it into the console and pressing the "Enter" button.

  To get a list of logical volumes (partitions) run the command “list volume”.

• A table appears in which all available sections of the media that are currently connected to the computer will be indicated. Among them, it is necessary to highlight and remember the alphanumeric designation in two sections: the first is the system, and the second is the medium where the backup will be saved.
• After determining the necessary volumes, complete the "diskpart", volume and partition management utility by executing the exit command.

Next, run the command “dism / Capture-Image /ImageFile:F:Windows10Copy.wim / CaptureDir: E: \ / Name:” Windows 10 ”, where“ F: is the location to save the operating system image ”,“Windows10Copy.wim” and “Name:” Windows 10 ”” - the name / name of the saved image / backup, “E” - the system disk;

Then you need to wait for the copying procedure to complete and transfer the backup to the media specified in the command.

Thus, creating a backup copy does not take much time and does not require incredible knowledge of working with a computer, however, it helps to avoid unexpected data loss and restore the necessary work / configuration of a computer in case of unsolvable problems.