How Do I Restore System Image "Manually"

Question

I have created a Windows 10 system image onto an external hard drive, and also created the repair disk (DVD).  I did this using the Windows Control Panel.  

In case my system gets corrupted to the point I cannot get to the Windows sign on screen, I want to be able to restore the system image "manually".  By that I mean pressing the F8 (or F12 ?) key while the system is powering on, and having the hard drive connected and repair DVD

inserted.

When I do this, sometimes I get a primitive looking Dell screen, and other times I get the Windows sign on screen.   When I do get the Dell screen, I am not able to select the right options to allow me to do the restore of the system image, and the system continues to the Windows sign on screen.

I was able to do this some time ago, but for some reason I can't get it work any more.

I contacted Dell support and they told me since my system was out of warranty, I would have to pay $250.00 before they would help me.  Thanks Dell.

The is a Dell Inspiron desk top computer.

Could someone please tell me the instructions on how to do this (install the system image manually).

thank you

Answer 1

Hi Rocky. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 9 year Windows MVP and Independent Advisor, here to help you.

I would not use WIndows image or FIle backup as they are dysfunctional and likely being phased out. Instead I'd use a much better free choice like the choice of all experts Macrium to create a stored image, create the Rescue media it will generate to boot into to apply the image. This is all described here:

If you still want to use Windows Imaging make sure you're accessing the Repair Mode to Recover Using a System Image Backup. All methods are here to access the Repair Mode: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc.... If it advances to the WIndows 10 logo then you've missed the chance to trigger the Repair Mode so need to power off and start over.

You may need to create bootable media to access Repair Mode. For this you can create a Recovery Drive containing only the repair tools or including the System Files to reinstall WIndows, or create WIndows 10 Installation media that has both these tools and can reinstall WIndows.

See here to create the bootable Recovery drive: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/c...

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then Recover Using a System Image.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

If you receive a popup asking if this solved your problem please ignore it, as it will remove my ability to help you and others may also not help. Please wait until after the issue is resolved to answer the popup or mark your question answered to help others.

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Answer 2

I have created a Windows 10 system image onto an external hard drive, and also created the repair disk (DVD).  I did this using the Windows Control Panel.   

Windows 10 has not had a supported image backup utility for more than a year. Microsoft recommends that we use third-party backup applications for image backups.

Macrium Reflect is a popular choice (and what I use) but there are many excellent image backup applications, including Acronis TrueImage and EaseUS ToDo Backup, among others.

The procedure for using these applications is similar: Define a backup task, schedule it, create a retention schedule, then sit back and the software makes backups automatically. To restore a backup, boot to the application's recovery environment (on a USB flash drive or a DVD,) select the backup you want to restore, then sit back and in a matter of minutes your computer has gone back in time.

The internet has reviews of image backup software from professionals in the field. Read the reviews, take advantage of the free trials, and pick an application that appeals to you.

Answer 3

I appreciate your suggestions and I will check them out.    But it seems that what I am trying to do is more of a Dell issue than Windows 10, but I am probably wrong.  The point is I was able to restore a Windows 10 system image recently using the Dell F8/F12 options during power on, but now I cannot figure out how I did it.    Unfortunately, I cannot snip the Dell screen and post it here so you can see what it looks like.

Answer 4

After much frustration, it appears I have something that works.   I had been using a System Repair DVD that I created as an option on the Control Panel (Backup and Restore Windows 7).   I powered on the system, pressing F12 until I got the Dell boot screen.   When I selected the DVD to boot from, it was hit and miss (usually miss).  The majority of the time the system would continue to the Windows sign on screen.

So I purchased a 16GB USB SanDisk, and created it as a System Recovery Disk.   Now when I get the Dell boot screen and select the SanDisk to boot from, I consistently get the screens to restore the system image.

Apparently the System Repair DVD and the System Recovery SanDisk are two different animals.

Answer 5

Hi,

That can happen with machines using UEFI Bios... A lot of times a DVD is not a "Valid Device" even though there is no message stating this...

Same with a flash drive, except that it can be created specifically for the type of Bios...

Some machines have Boot Options for two different types of devices...

"UEFI Optical Drive", and simply "Optical Drive", for instance..

It is possible that you might also have a DVD that didn'y burn quite right...