How to restore bootcamp from a windows image backup

I recently resized bootcamp partion after realising Windows would need more space. After the resize, both Bootcamp and Mac are booting and functioning perfectly well. However, I now want to restore the disk image file I made prior to resizing Bootcamp. Has anyone done this before? I am grateful for advise on how to do this since Apple sends you to Microsoft and Microsoft sends you to Apple when you seek their support.


Thanks for your help folks!

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.3

Posted on Apr 21, 2023 4:49 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 22, 2023 11:55 PM

I see. If the disk image was made when BOOTCAMP was a larger size than it is now (for example, you backed up the 80GB partition but want to restore it to an 40GB partition), it can't be done. If BOOTCAMP is now larger than it used to be, there's a larger chance of it working (but it won't expand to fill the entire disk).


I'm not sure if it would work, but you could try Disk Image Recovery in Windows.

  1. On the Windows desktop, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup
  2. When the blue options screen shows up, click Troubleshoot > System Image Recovery and follow the prompts


If the system restore won't work, I've heard WinClone, a Windows partition backup/restore tool, works well with Boot Camp.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 22, 2023 11:55 PM in response to OR69

I see. If the disk image was made when BOOTCAMP was a larger size than it is now (for example, you backed up the 80GB partition but want to restore it to an 40GB partition), it can't be done. If BOOTCAMP is now larger than it used to be, there's a larger chance of it working (but it won't expand to fill the entire disk).


I'm not sure if it would work, but you could try Disk Image Recovery in Windows.

  1. On the Windows desktop, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup
  2. When the blue options screen shows up, click Troubleshoot > System Image Recovery and follow the prompts


If the system restore won't work, I've heard WinClone, a Windows partition backup/restore tool, works well with Boot Camp.

Apr 22, 2023 3:21 AM in response to OR69

Resizing partitions is not supported. It's easy to corrupt your partitions this way. First, try removing it with Boot Camp Assistant in macOS.


Remove Windows from your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support


If you aren't able to, or don't get all of the partition space back after removing it, you'll likely have to back up macOS with Time Machine (if you want), then erase it and restore from the backup.


  1. Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support
  2. Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support
  3. Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How to restore bootcamp from a windows image backup

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.