Installing Windows via Bootcamp with a previously saved system image

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Level 1

24 points

Installing Windows via Bootcamp with a previously saved system image

Hi all.

To cut a long story short.. I had Win 10 running in my late 2014 iMac via bootcamp successfully for a couple of years. A recent download of a 'malicious' CCTV App rendered my Win10 useless. System Restore didn't work and an error by myself to restore 'back to Mac' failed. Back to square one!

I started the Mac via (I think..) Control and R and reloaded MacOS (High Sierra later updated to Catalina) from the web. Fine!! I tried to live with the machine as a Mac for a couple of weeks but missed my Win10. So I 'boot-camped' again and I am now back to successfully running Win 10 via bootcamp on my Mac.

My question. Loading Win 10 via Boot-camp meant using a Windows.iso image. This of course meant my Windows installation was a virgin/starter version. Can I now download my current system image to an external HDD and use that if I ever have to go through this again? If I can it means that all my apps, personal settings, emails, contact lists, favourites etc will load with the image and I won't have to go through the process of 'personalising' a 'virgin' Windows installation all over again.

Thanks for reading.

Steve

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 29, 2020 6:35 AM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 29, 2020 8:02 AM in response to Steviebobs

Restoring a Windows Backup System Image is not supported by Windows. Windows wipes the drive during the Image Restore. However, you can use the already-installed W10 and try to restore the System Image using Backup/Restore. Also, third-party tools like Winclone may help.

I assume your system image does not contain the 'malicious' CCTV software.

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 30, 2020 5:16 AM in response to Steviebobs

Excellent!. If you run into any issues during Restore, post back and we can try to address issues.

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Answer 3

Steviebobs Author

Level 1

24 points

Nov 30, 2020 1:31 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks for that Loner T. I thought I may have been able to use a previously stored image instead of the windows.iso from MS website. I have to admit I did have an older stored system image that I could have tried to use to restore after downloading/installing the windows.iso but at that time I was convinced I was going to stay 'Mac'. When I decided I wanted my Win10 via bootcamp again I actually forgot I had the old system image. I did have all my files backed up so no great losses, just time! I will download and store a current system image for possible use in the future! ( I do not have the rogue CCTV app on my rebuild!)

Regards Steve

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Answer 4

Steviebobs Author

Level 1

24 points

Nov 30, 2020 9:43 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks, as always, Loner T.

Hopefully I will not need your assistance for some time - at least it will give you more time to help others !!

Steve

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Installing Windows via Bootcamp with a previously saved system image

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