Windows 10: Windows 10 System Image

Before trying to boot from the flash as a test, I saw this article from the Macrium site. Even though recovery flash seemed to create okay, this article has me wondering. The process they describe sounds a little complex for me, do I have to do this or not. I am using a SanDisk Cruzer Glide 8GB USB flash drive. And like I said, the process seemed to work, it said that the media was created, and I can see lots of files on the flash drive.

Preparing a USB stick for Windows PE - KnowledgeBase - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

 

Files on your thumb should look like this. If so, you've got what you need. You do have to test it. See if it boots.

 

This is what shows on my flash drive:

 

Same thing. My list was not using explorer. Try it, see if it boots. It's either gonna work, or not.

I'm assuming (hate that word) your machine's BIOS will recognize booting from a USB device. If it is not set to look for that first in the boot device sequence, it will just boot normally to Windows 10. That doesn't mean the thumb is bad, just the BIOS never looked for it. Only way you're gonna know is plug it in and restart. If it just boots normally,we'll take it from there. Gotta try.

 

OKAY. Let me understand this before I give it a go.

First off, I have not created the image file yet, just the recovery media.

To test the recovery, I insert the flash drive, then reboot the computer.

Theoretically, it will boot into the Macrium program. If so, how do I get back to running on the hard drive? Do I shut down, remove the flash drive and restart again or what? I am concerned about getting back to normal after testing since I only have one PC and if doesn't work, I have no way to communicate with you to fix it !!!

And does being connected to the internet through ethernet have to be disconnected for this test?

And one last thing, I remember when creating the rescue there was a box (which I did NOT check) asking for a keyboard entry or click to start or something like that. Should I have checked that or does it matter?

Thanks so much, you have been more than helpful in this.

 

Attach the thumb. Restart. If it boots from thumb, you'll see a blue windows logo in the middle of the screen for a few seconds. Then, Macrium will load it's stuff, load drivers, get happy, and a screen will appear with all kinds of options. Upper left will be restore and other options. No need to disconnect internet. Keyboard stuff should not matter. Bottom left is where to close it out. When you do, it will boot back to Windows 10. Remove the flash drive before you close Macrium , or will will boot right back to Macrium. That's the simplified version. How to use it is in the tutorial and we can help. Right now, just see if you can get into it, and out. It's not real fast loading, so give it a little time.

 

Thanks, I have some invoices I have to create and send this afternoon so to be safe I will try this later this evening in case I blow something up !!!! I will post back after I do try it. Thanks again.

 

Good. See ya later..... about what time?

 

Not sure, I have to do some work for a while then might go to in-laws this evening with wife, a little unclear right now. To be safe, might just do it in the morning. Nothing worse that getting stuck in the middle of something like that and then having to leave. Sounds pretty painless, but since I have never done it, I will probably have some snags !!!

 

If you PM me when you're about to try tomorrow morning, I'll be alerted. Is that alright with you?

 

Fantastic, I will PM you beforehand. Thanks, talk to you soon.

 

@reelme

To help us understand what PC you have, and to help you fill in your system specs, please download and install a small program lots of us use to gather generic info about your machine. No personal data, whatsoever, is included. Just system hardware/software specs. Quite harmless and very useful. The program is called Speccy and can be found here:

Speccy - Free Download - Piriform

Choose to download directly from the author's site, Piriform:





Download and install. Run Speccy and click File in upper left. Choose Publish Snapshot






Answer OK to publish. Then click Copy to clipboard. Please paste the link in a reply here on this thread. I assure you, no personal info is included.






You can repeat the process and save the info to a file on your PC which can be opened with Notepad. You can then just copy/paste from that file into your system specs here on Tenforums without having to type anything. A huge time-saver. Once it's in your system specs here, anyone can see it anytime you post for any other problems. Saves a lot of questions and time on all sides.

Again, I assure you no personal data is in there.....just hardware/software specs.

Thanks, TC

 

Good morning, @reelme !!

 

Gave it a shot and it booted into Marium from the USB flash first try just like you said. I then hit the little button in the lower left corner like you said and it asked me if I wanted to exit and reboot. I did, since it was the only choice, and it booted me right back to Macrium on the flash. So I did it one more time and quickly yanked out the flash when it started booting. Is there a cleaner way to exit Macrium when you are in Windows PE?

 

Hurrah! It worked! Yes, once the Macrium is booted up on your screen, you can pull the thumb out. It's not needed while working in the WIN PE.

That's always the biggest potential hurdle, booting to the thumb. But now you know it works. You didn't see anything about your images, because you don't have any.....yet! *Smile

Time to make one. Did you set the ext drive policies to enable write cache?