Windows 10: Can I use a drive with existing files to create windows 10 system image?

HI all,I wonder if I create a system image or system backup on a drive with existing file, will the wizard remove those existing files or simply just create a seperate folder and save the backup there?In the past, I always just use a clean drive to do the backups but found it quite wasteful in terms of space. So wonder if I can just put them into a drive with my other backup files? Couldnt seem to find a article talking about this and the wizard doesnt indicate either, wonder if someone knows this?Thanks for the answers

:)

 

restore system image from command prompt, drive d: not seen by system restore

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



To be able to help you with the appropriate troubleshooting steps, please reply with the following details:

• Are you trying to restore the system image or create a system image?
  
• Are you able to see the external drive in File Explorer?
  
• Could you please briefly explain the procedure that you are following to initiate a system image restore?
  

In the meantime, I suggest you to refer the articles on
How to: Create a system image in Windows 10 and

How to restore a Windows 10 system image to an existing or larger storage device created by Andre Da Costa.



Please reply with the detailed information, to help you in a better way.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Help, cant create windows image

Hello there, @fullinfusion!

It seems like some sort of an OS confusion has happened with your secondary WD Black and I'm sorry to hear about that. *Frown
Maybe re-formatting it would help indeed as the community already mentioned. I'd suggest to take a look at this step-by-step how to partition and format an HDD: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=PYCoid
Keep in mind that this will wipe clean the drive, so you should backup all important data from the drive somewhere else.
I noticed from the screenshots that your HDD appears as Disk 0, this means that it's plugged in the primary SATA port where the SSD (as an OS drive) should be. Actually it is possible that because of this Windows cannot create the image there. Swap the ports of the SSD and the HDD, this might help as well.

Keep me posted. Hope this helped! *Smile
SuperSoph_WD

 

System Image Restoration in Windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

I appreciate your interest on Windows 10.

Before we proceed, I would like you to answer the following questions:

• Could you please tell me are you facing any issue with your Windows 10 computer?
• Could you please explain in detail “Windows 10 restoration of system Image affects all the existing partitions instead of only C:\”?

When we create system image, by default, a system image includes the drives required for Windows to run. It also includes Windows and your system settings, programs, and files. You can use a system image to restore the contents of your computer
if your hard disk or computer ever stops working.

In Windows 10 We have an option to select other drives while creating System Image backup. If you have selected other drives too when creating System Image backup it will affect those drives too.

I suggest you to create a system image and check.

To create system image on Windows 10 follow the below methods.

• 
  Type File history in the search area on the taskbar and select File history.
  
• 
  Click on System image backup on the left bottom corner of the Window file history Window.
  
• 
  Click on Create System Image on the left panel of the System Image backup windows.
  
• 
  Select the driver, where you want to Create system Image.
  
• 
  Follow on screen instruction.
  

Please get back to us with the updated information. WE will be happy to assist you further.