Another windows 8 system image question

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Speeddragon

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Guys, I have read a lot about windows 8 (and 8.1) and how to make a system image for it.

Well the most people used the 7 file recovery tool in windows 8 to make full system images. But as everyone knows, in windows 8.1 it's gone.


Like in this thread: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html


Now I hear and see everyone making system images with a powershell command..
How to Create and Restore System Image Backups on Windows 8.1


But why doesn't anybody just use the windows 8 (and 8.1) backup function wich also includes a feature called:


8222d1346269815-system-image-create-windows-8-file_backup.jpg

include a system image of drives:


It seems to me that if you do this at an clean install it's a lot easier then powershell? (and maybe you can uncheck the backup of files and only include a sytem image?)



I know that at this moment I can still make a 7 file recovery tool image and restore it with windows 8(.1) repair/recovery disc.

But I wan't to know this for the future when I have a system with 8.1 from factory.. (some manufacturers like asus don't provide repair/system restore discs or utils anymore....)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
But I wan't to know this for the future when I have a system with 8.1 from factory.. (some manufacturers like asus don't provide repair/system restore discs or utils anymore....)
Click to expand...


information   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html
​




You can use the ASUS version of
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
warning   Warning
Deleting the Recovery Partition is NOT RECOMMENDED




Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk?

You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the ASUS OEM manufacturer's website.
Essentio Recovery Software
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
In the past, asus provided a utility AI recovery. In wich you were able to make a real recovery media(windows/drivers included).

Since windows 8 they don't do that anymore..


So when my harddrive breaks down I just have a problem... (well I could download a OEM iso and hope it takes my windows 8 key that's inside my bios).




But still I would like to know why everyone uses powershell and not the option I mentioned above. (Yes I already made a system image with the windows 7 file recovery tool, but I want to know it for the future...)




The recovery drive from windows 8 is quite something different, its more like a windows repair disc. What I meant is a recovery/system restore dvd that reinstalls the computer completely... The recovery partition does this quite well, but I want to take it to dvd/harddisk also. So when my harddisk fails I just pop in this dvd's

EDIT:
Damn, 50 dollar's for something that was free in the past...... Now I am definite to make a own system image...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Speeddragon said:
But still I would like to know why everyone uses powershell and not the option I mentioned above
Click to expand...

One of the reasons is that people got used to the good old imaging (was very straight forward and easy to follow) and now they modified the options, provide more choice and it's all confusing.

Creating an image from a clean install is pointless to me: you just reinstall, it's already on the ISO / DVD / USB. An image is more useful if you're able to backup your important files and all installed apps and programs (something that would take a lot of time to do it over and over on a clean install).

Are you able to uncheck all files and do the image? I need a clean image but with all my installed stuff for instance... that should include all the user files + installed apps (that what the Win7 image did in the past and that's what it's supposed to do).

I don't trust the new feature because you have to check some extra folders compared to the older feature. Never tested the new one to see how it goes. The removed feature always worked well for me.

Dilemma to me: why selecting your drives and folders if you do a sys image? Wouldn't that include all your files? More confusing than the older feature, you backup all your user folder (docs, music, etc...) and you opt for a sys image as well: you create gigabytes of duplicate files with 2 sort of backups! redundant if you're only interested in the full system image.

let's say the new feature is able to make an image. How do you restore that image for instance? Is it by doing Reset? Refresh? None of those kept all my installed programs and that's what I need if it too a day or more to setup.

I'm already unable to run the good old Win7 recovery image on W8.0 due to weird errors (too full partitions) so I now use Macrium Reflect.

If the new backup feature that you showed creates full images as I need, then I might use it in the future after the 8.1 transition. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Well most of the times it's pointless. The only problems are:

-Asus doesn't provide a recovery util anymore
-dvd's are 50 usd
-It's very difficutl to reinstall windows 8 with a clean dvd/usb without getting things like:

This key is not valid with a Retail windows dvd, so I need a OEM dvd/iso. But I can only find one in English. And for example my family isn't able to use their computer in English. They only wan't dutch.


So I am finding a easy alternative for something that was so easy in the past haha.




Well, I haven't checked it out fully. I know you can restore a image with a windows 8 repair disc.
How to Create and Restore System Image Backups on Windows 8.1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Speeddragon said:
Well most of the times it's pointless. The only problems are:

-Asus doesn't provide a recovery util anymore
-dvd's are 50 usd
-It's very difficutl to reinstall windows 8 with a clean dvd/usb without getting things like:

This key is not valid with a Retail windows dvd, so I need a OEM dvd/iso. But I can only find one in English. And for example my family isn't able to use their computer in English. They only wan't dutch.


So I am finding a easy alternative for something that was so easy in the past haha.




Well, I haven't checked it out fully. I know you can restore a image with a windows 8 repair disc.
How to Create and Restore System Image Backups on Windows 8.1
Click to expand...

I believe you. Hopefully the new feature does the job well. But as I said earlier, not tested yet , I'm using Macruim Reflect for that purpose.

Asus there, HP here: both the same, the extra image costs money and it installs all their extra programs and there is no clean install option (here for example).

I did the backup of the recovery partition (mentioned by theog) to USB stick but I don't use it: Filled my SSD with bloatware (long HP install process) and in the end I get error (factory disk to small maybe HDD was 750GB and SSD is just 250GB...).

Regarding the OEM key on clean install: It's a version thing, make your own custom ISO that has the OEM version: Called Windows 8 Core:
The PRO version disk contains the basic version as well but it's not selectable. I borrowed the Pro version ISO from someone, extracted it and enabled the selection of the Core version (one used as standard by OEM). Then it was reimaged again as ISO and at boot you can install a clean fresh (Core) version (no extra programs) where the OEM key works and it's automatically used. :thumb:

That suits me well for English version but in case you need Dutch version then the OEM disk might be the solution since only Pro may install extra language packs, I'm not sure. But if a NL PRO ISO version exists than you can make a NL Core ISO out of it, something pretty unique at the moment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
In the past, asus provided a utility AI recovery. In wich you were able to make a real recovery media(windows/drivers included).
Click to expand...

ASUS use the Windows 8 app, link above.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
thanks for replying.

Well I also read this thread:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

A recovery USB flash drive cannot be used to install Windows 8 unless this is an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, and you checked the Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive box at step 5 below.



The only thing is: will reinstall windows completely or will it do a ''reset''. And is it not possible with a replaced hard drive?

If it's possible to re-install windows on a new hard drive maybe it's a solution.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
DavidY said:
How do you get to this in 8.1?

I thought it had been removed...
Click to expand...

That one works fine.

The other one inherited from Win7 got removed.

backup7.png

Cheers!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Hopachi said:
DavidY said:
How do you get to this in 8.1?

I thought it had been removed...
Click to expand...

That one works fine.

The other one inherited from Win7 got removed.

View attachment 26753

Cheers!
Click to expand...
Thanks for that... however my apologies that I'm being dumb today :eek:

How do you get to that screen from 8.1 Control Panel? Or if not, how do you get there?
(This screenshot is from 8.1 Pro Preview, running in a VM clean installed from the ISO, if that makes a difference.)
 

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  • ControlPanel_8.1_Preview_Pro.png
    ControlPanel_8.1_Preview_Pro.png
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
The screenshot I posted is the Win7 recovery which doesn't exist anymore in 8.1.

This is from what I recall after using the Preview for a short time:

Use the new backup;
Try the Recovery option in Control Panel or search for "backup". You can also search on Start Screen, then see found settings. The new backup should be also accessible from the Metro Control Panel (PC Settings).

I don't have a 8.1 test setup for the moment but I'll test a VM tomorrow.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus CM5675
    CPU
    IntelCore i5 3.20Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus CM5675
    Memory
    6.0Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD integtrated
    Sound Card
    SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 24'
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1080
    Hard Drives
    Segate 1tb
    Intel 120Gb SSD
    Internet Speed
    100mb down /10mb up
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