Creating a Custom Image

Question

What is the purpose of creating a custom image and how often should such an image be created? 

Nonertheless, my attempts to create such an image on my computer have been unsuccessful,  The first stage (Initializing) completes 100% followed by the next stage (Creating Snapshot) which also completes 100% but the last stage (Writing image) repeatedly completes a mere 1% and then, after a while, this message is displayed : The recovery image cannot be written : Error code Ox800700e1

What exactly does that mean?  Does anyone know?  I ran the following command:

Recimg –CreateImage C:\Refreshimage

Is it correct?  Perhaps it is not and that could explain the reason.

All responses would be highly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi Anon,

Thank you for the update. And yes, it will be a good idea to opt for a bigger storage space option as you will not be able to store the custom image on a small drive.

Do let us know once you try it with an external hard drive. Hopefully it will work.

In addition to that, please feel free to reply, in case you face any other issues with Windows in future. We'll be glad to assist you again.

Answer 2

Thanks for the mail.  I have been saving the image to a 4GB flash drive.  Maybe that's the problem.  I will go and by an external hard drive and try again.

Answer 3

Hi Anon,

Thanks for the update on the issue. I apologize for the delay in response.

I would like to ask you:

 - Are you using any external hard drive for the same?

 - If not, where are you saving the image back-up?

Since the issue occurs while writing the image, I would suggest that you check with a different medium to save the image on.

Reply with the required information, so that we can research more and help you with a response.

Thank You

Answer 4

Hi Sahil : Thanks for the response but that is precisely what I did but the procedure failed.  In fact I tried several times and each time there was no joy.   What could be the problem?

Answer 5

Hello Anon,

Welcome to Microsoft Community. I will certainly help you with the issue that you are facing. Custom image is created to recover system from any crashes. We can use to repair the computer and Windows files in case of a failure.

This issue usually occurs when you do not have the permissions to do the task you are trying. You may try to create a custom image manually by following the commands below:

To create a custom image, use the Recimg.exe command-line tool that is included in Windows 8. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Create a destination folder for the custom image. For example, create a folder named "Refreshimage" on drive C.
2. Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, follow these steps:
   • On the Start page, type cmd, press and hold or right-click Command Prompt, and then tap or click Run as administrator.
3. Type the following command, and then press Enter:

recimg -CreateImagedrive:*folder*

For example, if you create "C:\Refreshimage" in step 1, run the following command:

recimg -CreateImage C:\Refreshimage

NoteTheRecimg command registers the custom image that is used to refresh the Windows 8 PC.

To create an installation media, you may refer to the following Microsoft link.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

Let us know the results once you try these steps. Hope this information was helpful.