How to perform a bare-metal restore with Windows Backup

  1. Ensure you have the correct version of the Windows installation ISO which matches the version in your backup, eg. A Windows 2012R2 ISO will NOT be able to restore a Windows 2012 backup image!
  2. Ensure the WindowsImageBackup folder that contains the backup image is available to the VM, either through a local disk OR UNC path (note that hidden shares are NOT supported)
  3. Boot from the Windows ISO
  4. Choose “Repair your computer”
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  5. Choose “Troubleshoot”
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  6. If you are restoring from a UNC path, first open a command prompt and type “wpeinit” to load networking. Wait until ipconfig gets an IP address from DHCP before typing “exit” and continuing with this process
  7. Choose “System Image Recovery”
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  8. Browse to and select the backup to restore
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  9. Select the date and time of the backup (typically the latest will suffice)
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  10. Choose “Format and repartition disks”
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  11. Confirm the process by choosing finish
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  12. Confirm that you want to wipe the destination disk and replaced with the backup image
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  13. The restoration process will begin
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  14. The restore should complete successfully
  15. Further steps are to ensure the system boots correctly