Win7 uses VHD to make a double insurance system

Talking about the magic of VHD, let's start with the simplest and most practical: system backup. In the past, we used Ghost, Imagex and other software, but Win7 has native support for VHD, which is very different! Because the backup file we created is a VHD file, it can be used as a separate system with a little setup, which does not affect the normal backup operation, but also has a new choice.

What is VHD:

VHD is the abbreviation of Virtual Hard Disk, which means virtual disk. When we use Virtual PC or Virtual Server software, we create VHD file. Therefore, after being mounted in a virtual machine or system, it can be formatted, partitioned, etc., just like a normal hard disk.

Creating a Backup = Creating a VHD File

Creating a VHD file is as simple as clicking "Start → All Programs & Rarr; Maintenance & Rarr; Backup & Restore" In the pane of the pane, create a system image ”——

Select an NTFS partition in the pop-up creation wizard (because the backup file is larger than 4GB, you must select the partition in NTFS format and ensure There is enough space), then follow the prompts to select the system partition to complete the backup (as shown below).

Tip: "Create system image" component default backup system partition and boot partition, so if your Win7 has 100MB hidden partition, then the backup will include two VHD files, you The distinction is to be made according to the size of the VHD file. In addition, only the Enterprise and Ultimate versions of Win7 support VHD booting, so if your system is not both versions, it cannot be started as a clone system.

Configuration startup uses only one command

After the backup operation is completed, a VHD file is finally created, which is saved in the storage partition by default: \\Windows
ImageBackup\\ Computer name\\Backup backup date” Now right-click on “computer”, then select “Manage”, then expand “save →disk management& rdquo;, then right-click and select “Add VHD"; Show), then load the VHD file created above, the system will automatically assign a drive letter to it.

Next, start the command prompt as an administrator and enter the “bcdboot m:\\windows /sc:” command to add this VHD clone system to the BCD boot menu. The entire setup is complete. It is. Note: m is the partition number just copied.

Now, after rebooting, select the first "Windows 7" in the multiple boot options to boot into this clone system. Then open "Disk Management", the current system partition C drive is "Disk 1", which is the clone system that loads VHD files.

VHD Backup System Recovery Options

Compared to Ghost and ImageX, using VHD Backup is more flexible when you choose to repair your system.

First of all, you can restore the entire system in the traditional way: after restarting, press F8 to select “ repair computer & rdquo;, after entering WinRE repair environment, in the "system repair options" window selection "Use Windows" Mirror recovery system & rdquo;, then follow the prompts to select VHD backup recovery system. Similar to the Ghost software, this operation will overwrite the current system data.

Secondly, you can also choose to enter this VHD clone system and perform other operations. It is particularly worth mentioning that the system partition of the VHD clone system is still the C drive, so even if the original software is installed in other partitions, most of the software can still run normally (the software installed after creating the VHD backup may not work). In this way, we can use the system to repair when needed, without having to restore the system. For example, when the system is poisoned and the soft killing cannot be started normally, you can choose to enter the clone system for killing, or you can choose to enter the system and back up the current system data before performing corresponding operations, so that the data will not be caused by repairing the system. Lost.

In addition, after performing some operations and causing important file loss or error, you can also mount the VHD and use it as the source system backup repository to extract the original system files for repair.

In general, the latter two methods are safer and more convenient than the direct recovery system. System data and system settings can also be saved to the maximum extent, and it is not necessary to “traverse” to the initial backup. The state, everything has to come again. Therefore, friends who install Win7 may wish to try the method described in this article, do a double insurance for your Windows7 system!