How do I make a disk image of Yosemite in Yosemite?

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Level 1

8 points

How do I make a disk image of Yosemite in Yosemite?

Hello,

Is it possible to create a disk image of an entire OS X in Yosemite? I would like to create a disk image from time to time, so that if something goes wrong, I can go back. I prefer a disk image instead of using the Time Machine.

In Disk Utility, "Disk Image from Folder" and "Disk Image from disk1...", but when I click on "Disk Image from disk1...," it gives me an error saying that all applications should be closed. All my applications are closed...What am I missing?

Thank you.

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Mar 3, 2015 8:22 AM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,850 points

Mar 3, 2015 10:46 AM in response to eugene262

You already have the disk image on your system. Restart in Recovery Mode and you will find an option to install Yosemite, that is your disk image. Anything else would be unnecessary and overly redundant. If you are not familiar with Recovery Mode, hold down Command + R when you hear the start-up tone and select the Recovery partition.

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Answer 2

eugene262 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2015 10:51 AM in response to rkaufmann87

I have used it and I am familiar with it, but I would like to create an image after I install the apps that I use. If something goes wrong, I can restore from that image instead of doing a clean install and reinstalling everything again.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

207,733 points

Mar 3, 2015 11:04 AM in response to eugene262

Why not just clone your boot drive to an external HD. That gives you a couple of advantages:

1 - easy to update frequently with Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper/

2 - you can boot from it in case your internal HD fails.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,850 points

Mar 3, 2015 11:28 AM in response to eugene262

eugene262 wrote:

I have used it and I am familiar with it, but I would like to create an image after I install the apps that I use. If something goes wrong, I can restore from that image instead of doing a clean install and reinstalling everything again.

When then that is extremely simple as OT has suggested. Simply get an external HD and buy either Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper (I believe each are about $40) and create a bootable clone. Personally I use SD however it seems most others on these forums use CCC. Both do essentially the same thing so it comes down to personal preference. You can clone your entire drive, I have mine set up to do nightly backups at 2AM and it simply updates any new or changed files so my backups only take 5-10 minutes at the most. The initial backup will take longer as it's taking a snap shot of your entire HD.

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