How to Retrieve Your Data From a Windows Image Backup

Discover the essential guide to restoring files from a Windows image backup in this comprehensive tutorial. If you’ve lost important data or need to recover files from a previous Windows image, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with expert solutions and step-by-step instructions to retrieve your data effortlessly.

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How To Create a Recovery Image and Restore Your System From Windows 10 Image ⚕️💻🤔

How To Create a Recovery Image and Restore Your System From Windows 10 Image ⚕️💻🤔


Overview of the Problem

It is recommended to create a backup system image copy before modifying the hardware configuration of a computer, when updating the system, installing new drivers and so on. If something goes wrong, a backup system image copy will allow you restoring the system to the operable condition of Windows. However, when restoring from such image all the information on the system disk is erased by the image files. What should we do if we need only some files to be restored from the system image?

Fortunately, this task is rather easy. The matter is that the standard system of creating a backup system image copy in Windows 10 is based on the concept of virtual disks (Virtual Hard Drive). That is, images are recorded and stored as virtual drive files in the format vhdx (Virtual Hard Drive). Such virtual drives can be easily mounted with standard features of Windows 10 and be operated as ordinary drives within the system. Attaching such disk to the system, a user can restore from the backup system image separate files and directories.

Connecting a VHD Disk Containing a Backup System Image Copy

System image is usually backed up to a separate physical disk or a network folder. That is why the first thing to do is to connect to the computer a media containing a backup copy of Windows 10 image (or connect a network folder).

Open the computer management console Computer Management and go to disk manager Storage->Disk Management (this console can be launched from the menu WinX by pressing the key combination Win+X and selecting the item Disk Management). In order to mount a vhd virtual disk select the item Attach VHD in the Action menu.

How to Retrieve Your Data From a Windows Image Backup

In the window that appears click Browse and specify the path to vhdx file. This file is usually stored on a drive that contains a backup system image copy in the directory with a name in the following format [Backup_Drive]:\WindowsImageBackup\[PC_Name]\Backup xxxx-xx-xx xxxxxx. In our example, complete path to the vhdx file is as follows: \\[PC_Name]\VHD\08_01_2016.vhd.

Attach Virtual Hard Disk

After the virtual drive has been mounted it has to be assigned a drive letter. To do it, click the right mouse button on the drive and select the menu item “Change Drive Letters and Path”.

Change Drive Letter and Path

In the window that opens click Add and assign any letter to the drive, for example, E:

Add a new drive letter for the image

After this operation, a new drive will appear in the system, to which letter E:\ is assigned. Open in with Windows Explorer or any file manager and find the files that need to be restored.

The new drive in Explorer

Advice. User documents (photos, videos, music and other documents are usually saved to user’s profile in the directory E:\Users\{user_name}.

After you have found and copied the necessary files, the external disk can be disconnected and as a result, the virtual vhd disk will also disappear from the system. Separate files from the system image can be recovered in the same way in Windows 7 and 8 as well.

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If suddenly happened the lost of VHD image of Windows (for example, accidentally or intentionally deleted) it can be recovered by Hetman Partition Recovery. After recovering it with data recovery software you can restore individual files by stated above algorithm.

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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is a Windows Image file?

    A Windows Image file is a single file containing all of the data required to restore a Windows operating system, including the operating system itself, applications, settings, and user data. It is typically used to back up or restore a computer system in the event of a system crash or other emergency.

  • What causes data loss in Windows Image files?

    Data loss in Windows Image files can be caused by a variety of factors, including accidental deletion, file system corruption, hardware failure, virus or malware infection, and power outages. Additionally, data loss can occur if the image file is not properly backed up or saved.

  • How can you restore files from a Windows Image?
    1. Insert the Windows installation disc into your computer.
    2. Boot your computer from the installation disc.
    3. Select the “Repair your computer” option from the main menu.
    4. Choose the “System Image Recovery” option from the System Recovery Options menu.
    5. Follow the on-screen instructions to select the Windows image you want to restore from and the location where you want to save the restored files.
    6. Click “Finish” when the restoration is complete.
  • What is the role of third-party software in restoring files from a Windows Image?

    Third-party software can be used to restore files from a Windows Image. This software can be used to extract files from the image and copy them to a different location. It can also be used to repair corrupted files in the image. Additionally, third-party software can be used to convert the Windows Image into a virtual machine, which can then be used to access the files contained within the image.

  • What are some popular third-party tools for restoring files from Windows Image?
    1. EaseUS Todo Backup
    2. Acronis True Image
    3. Paragon Backup & Recovery
    4. AOMEI Backupper
    5. Macrium Reflect
    6. MiniTool ShadowMaker
    7. NovaBackup
    8. Iperius Backup
    9. O&O DiskImage
    10. Redo Backup and Recovery

Comments (11)

  • Lee
    Lee 15.07.2016 14:42 #
    I use Windows 7 at the moment... So as I understand if I follow all these steps written above I will get the same result as if I used Windows 10? It looks rather complicated to me because I have never done anything like this before. And if I use Hetman Partition Recovery program at once to restore all the files I need should I still create a backup system image copy? Sorry for stupid questions but I`m not into it really :)
    Reply
    • Helen
      Helen 19.09.2016 16:13 #
      As it can be seen from the article above, the procedure of restoring files from a system image is the same for Windows 10, 8 and 7. Everything is explained in detail there. So, in general, Lee, you are right. As for your question about Hetman Partition Recovery, you can restore VHD system image, in case it had been lost, with help of this software. And then, after restoring it, you can recover any file. As far as I’ve understood, it’s possible to restore separate files without any program, you can do it from VHD disk containing a backup system image copy. But if you suddenly lose such VHD system image, it’s easy to restore with help of Hetman Partition Recovery.
      Reply
  • Wade Medford
    Wade Medford 29.03.2016 18:33 #
    What precautions should you take to avoid data loss in Windows Image files?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.03.2016 19:03 #
      1. Create regular backups of your Windows Image files.
      2. Store your backups in a secure location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage service.
      3. Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your computer from malicious software.
      4. Use a reliable disk imaging software to create images of your hard drive and store them in a secure location.
      5. Make sure you keep all your software and drivers up-to-date.
      6. Ensure that you have a reliable power supply for your computer and that you use a surge protector or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect against power outages.
      7. Use a reliable file recovery software to recover deleted or corrupted files.
      Reply
  • Perry Soulsby
    Perry Soulsby 29.03.2016 16:31 #
    Can all file types be recovered from a Windows Image file?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.03.2016 16:57 #
      No, not all file types can be recovered from a Windows Image file. Depending on the type of image file, some file types may not be able to be recovered. For example, a Windows Image File (.wim) can only recover files that are supported by the Windows Imaging Format (WIM).
      Reply
  • Xander Hinsley
    Xander Hinsley 29.03.2016 14:23 #
    How long does the file recovery process take?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.03.2016 14:53 #
      The time it takes to recover a file depends on several factors, including the type of file, the size of the file, and the complexity of the recovery process. In general, a basic file recovery process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, while more complex recovery processes may take days or even weeks to complete.
      Reply
  • Richard Hickley
    Richard Hickley 29.03.2016 11:12 #
    What are the key features to look for in a good file recovery software?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.03.2016 11:34 #
      1. Ease of Use: Look for a file recovery software that is easy to use and understand, so that you can quickly recover lost or deleted files.
      2. Compatibility: Make sure the file recovery software is compatible with your operating system and storage device.
      3. File Formats: Check to see if the file recovery software supports the types of files you need to recover.
      4. Preview Functionality: Look for a file recovery software that allows you to preview the files before recovering them, so you can make sure the right files are being recovered.
      5. Advanced Options: Look for advanced options such as deep scan, sector-by-sector scan, and recovery of corrupted files.
      6. Support: Check to see if the file recovery software offers customer support in case you have any questions or issues.
      Reply
  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 27.04.2018 12:36 #
    Read how to restore files from a Windows image. If you do have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our technical support service - we will be happy to help you.
    Reply
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