Windows 10: Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image

Discus and support Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image in Windows 10 Tutorials to solve the problem; How to: Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [img] Information I want to start with a very subjective, personal opinion:... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Tutorials' started by Cliff S, Jun 7, 2016.

  1. Cliff S New Member

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image


    How to: Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]
    Information I want to start with a very subjective, personal opinion: Macrium Reflect Free is the best available free imaging solution for Windows (download: Macrium Reflect Free).

    That being said there are quite a many alternatives for those searching for a free, easy to use imaging solution to create regular backups of your Windows installation. I have tried most of them, been quite happy with some but never found anything that comes even close to Macrium Reflect Free. It is extremely easy to use even for newbies and does exactly what it is designed to do.

    Macrium Reflect tutorial: Macrium Reflect - Backup Restore - Windows 10 Forums

    When something happens, a system image allows you to restore Windows to state it had when the image was created. Windows 10 is quite robust and reliable, personally for instance I have had no need to restore a system image since I started playing around with first Windows 10 Technical Preview back in October 2014. However, a clever PC user never trusts that nothing happens. Creating a system image when all is well is like safety belt in a car; you don't use it because you know you will have an accident, you'll use it in case the unforeseen happens.

    Macrium viBoot (Virtual Image Boot) allows you to use the system image of your physical computer as a Hyper-V virtual machine. It allows you to add files and even install software to your image, update and even upgrade it. After creating the image you might think that you would like to have Microsoft Office 2016 installed on the system image, although it was not installed when you created the image. Using any other imaging software you would need to install Office 2016 on your PC, then recreate the image, but with Macrium viBoot you can simply create a virtual machine of your image, install Office 2016 on that virtual machine, and then apply changes to the image.

    Next time you restore the image Office 2016 is there, already installed, although it was not installed when the image was originally created.

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]
    Tip Maybe the most practical use for viBoot virtual machine is to update and upgrade Windows in your Macrium system image.

    In this tutorial I will take a Build 14316 image, create a vm of it, install some additional software and finally upgrade it to build 14352. This way although the image was created from build 14316, it will be 14352 when the image will be restored to a computer.
    A quote from Macrium Software:

    This tutorial will show you how to use Macrium viBoot. It was officially released on Friday 15th of July 2016 but as I have been using it for some time now when still a Technical Preview, I am able to help you with possible issues. Don't hesitate to post your questions in this thread. Notice that I have had no issues in using it, the user interface, menus and prompts are mostly self explanatory.

    Because Macrium viBoot requires Hyper-V feature being enabled it cannot be used in Windows 10 Home edition; Hyper-V is included in Pro, Education and Enterprise editions only.

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]
    Note The tutorial is dedicated to my esteemed fellow geeks @whs (a real Macrium guru) and @Cliff S (a Hyper-V enthusiast and the person who gave me the idea) Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image :)



    Contents
    Use links below to jump to any part of this tutorial, back button of your browser to return to this list.

    [table][tr][td]Part One:[/td] [td]SetupMacrium viBoot[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]Part Two:[/td] [td]Create a new virtual machine[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]Part Three:[/td] [td]Install software and Windows Updates to image[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]Part Four:[/td] [td]Apply changes to system image[/td] [/tr] [/table]


    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]
    Note Click or tap screenshots in this tutorial to pop them out, click / tap again to enlarge.




    Part One [/i] Setup Macrium viBoot

    1.1) Macrium viBoot requires Hyper-V being enabled. See this tutorial for enabling and setting up Hyper-V virtualization: Hyper-V virtualization - Setup and Use in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    1.2) Macrium viBoot is included in Macrium Reflect installer. No separate download is required. However, by default it will not be installed when Reflect is installed. Select viBoot when installing Macrium Reflect:

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    1.3) Launch Macrium viBoot. Notice that when run first time, viBoot needs to install a virtual SCSI adapter. Select Always trust software from Paramount Software, click Install:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]




    Part Two [/i] Create a new virtual machine

    2.1) The user interface is divided to four main parts, from top menus & controls, Virtual Machines pane showing currently set up virtual machines, Mounted Images showing currently mounted Macrium Reflect images, and Log pane.

    2.2) Select New Virtual Machine:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    2.3) Click Next:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    2.4) Click Add, browse to and select any Macrium Reflect image:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    2.5) Selected Macrium image will be shown in viBoot manager. Click Next:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]

    2.6) Name the vm as you wish (#1), assign RAM (#2), specify the number of virtual processors (#3, I recommend accepting default value), and select an external virtual switch from drop down list (#4). Click Finish:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    2.7) viBoot will now create a virtual machine using the system image as virtual hard disk. This will only take a moment:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    2.8) When done, the newly created vm will start automatically. Its status can be monitored both using Hyper-V Manager and Macrium viBoot Manager.
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    2.9) As with any image restored or imported to different hardware, in this case emulated Hyper-V hardware, Windows needs some time to make devices and drivers ready. Screenshot from a Swedish Windows 10 image on viBoot vm, you get the point:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]
    :

    2.10) In the future, as long as you want to keep this vm, you can run it from viBoot Manager or Hyper-V Manager. When not in use viBoot sits nicely in Notification area, requiring only a few megabytes RAM.





    Part Three [/i] Install software and Windows Updates to image

    3.1) This example Macrium system image was created directly after a clean installation of Windows 10 Education Build 14316 and installation of some basic software.

    Before using the image to restore this image to multiple computers, I want to install additional software to it and upgrade it to build 14352, the main reason I in first place used viBoot to make a vm from my image. In this way I don't have to install the same software every time the image will be restored to a computer, nor do I need to upgrade it.

    I decided to install Office 2016 and PowerDirector 13 LE now to the viBoot virtual machine:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    3.2) You can of course also add personal files and folders to the image. Simply copy the files and folders you want to add from host to virtual machine.

    3.3) Even if you have no need to add any software or other content to your image, viBoot vm also allows you to regularly update the Windows in the image. In this example my system image was made from Windows 10 Education Build 14316, a few Insider builds ago:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    As the image in all other aspects is what I need and want to, it's easier and faster to upgrade the image than to install build 14352 (most current build when writing this) on a PC, customize it and install all software and finally create a new up to date image.





    Part Four [/i] Apply changes to system image

    4.1) To apply changes to the image, shut down vm and right click it and select Backup in case you want to apply changes to image and keep it in viBoot available for later use, or click Delete if you want to discard changes and then remove / unmount the image. Do not delete the vm using Hyper-V Manager!

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]

    -- OR --


    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]

    4.2) Select Create a Differential backup (in paid for version you also use Incremental backups, see this article to learn the difference) to apply the changes you made to image (small file, fast process). Select Create a Full backup if you want to create a new image (takes a bit longer, file size bigger). If you were just checking things and have nothing to save, select Discard changes. Click OK:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    4.3) The image file will be created, you will get a notification:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    4.4) Installing some updates to my Windows 10 image it only took Macrium a minute and a half to make the differential image:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    You will get a few notifications on your desktop throughout the process. Below screenshots from creating a Full backup from one of my Windows 10 installs:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]



    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]



    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]



    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]



    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]
    Tip The viBoot vm will work without issues as long as you do not delete it. When shut down the virtual machines will naturally not use any of your host resources.

    You can create a viBoot / Hyper-V vm as soon as you have made a Macrium system image, then update it constantly, install software, add personal files and folders, and finally when you need the image to be restored to a computer, apply changes and restore it.

    This way you can always have an up to date image with all Windows Updates and Upgrades. 4.5) Macrium writes the new updated image to same folder where the original image is stored. If doing a full backup from viBoot vm, it's up to you if you want to keep both or delete the original one and keep just the updated image:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]


    4.6) All done! You can use the updated image to restore Windows to any machine. All additional software is there, in this case Office 2016 and PowerDirector, and Windows was upgraded from build 14316 in original system image to build 14352:
    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]



    That's it! Happy computing Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image :)

    Kari

    :)
     
    Cliff S, Jun 7, 2016
    #1
  2. BulldogXX Win User

    WIN 10 Recovery

    Virtually all third-party image applications, like
    Macrium Reflect
    , create bootable images.

    In my opinion, an image should be bootable on its own.
     
    BulldogXX, Jun 7, 2016
    #2
  3. Reset Win 10 Pro on Dell laptop.

    Hi Gary,

    By all means, If you like it and it's working well for you there's certainly no reason to make a change.

    It's good to know that a Macrium created disk image can be mounted and used as a virtual drive also, thanks for that.

    Until we meet again,

    -Richard
     
    RichardEiler, Jun 7, 2016
    #3
  4. badrobot Win User

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image

    Very interesting tut. Will try this out one day.
    Thanks Kari!
     
    badrobot, Jun 7, 2016
    #4
  5. Kari Win User
    Macrium viBoot allows you to take that system image, upgrade it to latest build (14361 was released just two hours ago!), apply the changes and save the image.

    No more need to upgrade or clean install and reinstall all software, then create a new image. Also very practical way to add your personal data to the Macrium image.


    You are welcome. This is an interesting concept.
     
    Kari, Jun 7, 2016
    #5
  6. Kari Win User
    Judging by their tweet, it looks that Macrium approves this tutorial *Smile

    Tweet



    — Twitter API (@user) date
     
    Kari, Jun 9, 2016
    #6
  7. badrobot Win User
     
    badrobot, Jun 9, 2016
    #7
  8. Cliff S New Member

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image

     
    Cliff S, Jun 9, 2016
    #8
  9. Kari Win User
    I believe that viBoot will remain free. It serves a certain purpose, a powerful addition to Macrium Reflect; in my opinion they will get more Reflect users by keeping viBoot free.
     
    Kari, Jun 9, 2016
    #9
  10. Cliff S New Member
  11. Kari Win User
  12. badrobot Win User
    @Kari , one wild or nooby question. Will this also work with Windows 7?
     
    badrobot, Jun 13, 2016
    #12
  13. Kari Win User

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image

    Yes. You can create Hyper-V virtual machines with viBoot from all images created with Macrium Reflect (free or paid version).

    Just for screenshot's sake I installed Windows 7 Ultimate, created a Macrium image and then created a Hyper-V vm from that image with viBoot:

    Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image [​IMG]
     
  14. badrobot Win User
    Great! Thanks Kari for going the extra mile. Much appreciated.
     
    badrobot, Jun 13, 2016
    #14
  15. badrobot Win User
    Trying this out today....
     
    badrobot, Jun 17, 2016
    #15
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