Need help with Windows 10 System Image Backup / Recovery / Repair

This is a 2-part issue that I am having with Windows 10 built-in System Image backup/restore. I
am running Windows 10 Pro (1909) x64. OS Build is: 18363.535.

Problem 1: System Repair Disc Issue


1) After upgrading from Windows 10 version 1903 to 1909, I created a new Bootable
DVD with the System Repair Disc. When that was done in early-November, the Windows 10 OS Build was 18363.476

2) After the regular monthly Windows Updates (sometime in mid-December), my OS
build was “updated” to the current 18363.535.

3) Yesterday, I made a new System Image of Drive C, and decided to create another copy of the System Repair Disc (again as bootable DVD). Upon the successful creation, I decided to make sure it boots. Well, it did not as I got this error:



4) I tried to create (burn) two other bootable System Repair Disc’s, and I got the same error upon trying to boot from them.

5) I took out the DVD that I created in mid-November, and it booted just fine and it took me to the Windows 10 Recovery menu without any problems.

6) I then cloned (made a DVD copy) of thw November-made DVD, and tried running the copy I made. It worked perfectly and
again got me to the Windows 10 Recovery menu.

What is happening? Why am I getting the WINLOAD.EFI error when I am trying to boot into Windows 10 Recovery mode DVD with OS build 18363.535 but no problems with older OS build 18363.476?

I have read “solutions” for this issue ( Solved Windows 10 Boot error 0x0000c225 “Winload.efi is Missing or Corrupt”
) but if there was a problem with the MBR or the Secure Boot in BIOS, then wouldn’t this problem appear with both versions of the bootable System Repair disc? And additionally, wouldn’t it make more sense that the LATER (created yesterday) version of the bootable System Repair disc be more “compatible” with my current system, rather than the older
one?

For the record, if it makes any difference, I did not have any new motherboard BIOS updates in more than a year and the only thing that changed in the hardware of my system was an upgrade of the graphics card (from nVidia 1060 to 2070 Super)
in early December.

Problem 2: Accessing System Image File on Drive D?

Luckily, I have never needed (so far) to restore my C drive from the System Image that I create every few weeks. I
always put (create) that file (WindowsImageBackup folder) onto my D drive, which is an internal hard drive connected with SATA. However, while playing around Windows Recovery menu, I decided to click on the System Image Recovery box. When I got to the “Select a System Image Backup” no matter what I tried, I was never able to access my Drive D, hence
that’s where my Image File is stored! I tried Advanced Options, and the only additional option was to “Connect to
Network”. I tried using that (although I don’t run a network), I was still not able to figure out how to point to Drive
D, as that’s where I keep my System Image file for Drive C.

What am I missing? What should I do?

All your comments/advice for the above two issues are much appreciated!

@Bree has the link to the Microsoft Support Document that states that Windows 7 Backup and Restore in Windows 10 is a depreciated feature no longer in development for Windows 10 and Microsoft themselves recommend that you use a third party imaging program for backups. We recommend Macrium Reflect Free:
Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

As for the system restore disk, I can't help you. A Macrium Reflect Free system image with a Macrium Reflect rescue drive is all you need to restore your system. If you want the capability to do a clean install of Windows 10, then you can also create a Windows 10 installation flash drive with the Media Creation Tool provided by Microsoft.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

I recommend you export your drivers to a folder on the Windows 10 USB flash drive, using the DISM command:
Backup and Restore Device Drivers in Windows 10

NavyLCDR said:

@Bree has the link to the Microsoft Support Document that states that Windows 7 Backup and Restore in Windows 10 is a depreciated feature no longer in development for Windows 10 and Microsoft themselves recommend that you use a third party imaging program for backups....

Microsoft deprecated their System Image Backup over two years ago....

Microsoft said:

System Image Backup (SIB) Solution
We recommend that users use full-disk backup solutions from other vendors.

Features removed or Deprecated in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

mystiky said:

System Repair Disc Issue
...Why am I getting the WINLOAD.EFI error when I am trying to boot into Windows 10 Recovery mode DVD with OS build 18363.535 but no problems with older OS build 18363.476?...

The CD/DVD produced as a System Repair Disk is functionally identical to a Recovery Drive USB when made without including a backup of the system files. I would recommend using a usb rather than a CD/DVD.

When you boot from the repair disc the Windows Image file Sources\boot.wim is loaded into memory as a RAM drive X:. It is this X: drive that is then booted. The Winload.efi file should be in the X:\Windows\Sytem32\ folder. I can confirm that my USB recovery drive made by x64 W10 18363.535 does boot sucesfully in EFI mode.

Create Recovery Drive in Windows 10

...I always put (create) that file (WindowsImageBackup folder) onto my D drive, which is an internal hard drive ... When I got to the “Select a System Image Backup” no matter what I tried, I was never able to access my Drive D ... What should I do?

Rather than choose Restore a System Image, choose a Command Prompt instead. Then at the command prompt type the command DISKPART.

At the Diskpart prompt, type LIST DISK to see if your disk is visible, and the command LIST VOLUME to see if the partition with you system image can be seen, and if it has a drive letter.

Thank you ALL for the feedback.

I went into Control Panel / Recover / Create Recovery Drive and chose to do it onto a Memory Stick. It told me it needs 16GB. I used a 32GB one. It created it (took about 20 minutes) and upon trying to boot off the USB Memory stick, I got the same WINLOAD.EFI error as I was/am getting with my attempts to create a Bootable System Recovery DVD.

I now realize that the backup system cannot be trusted, but I really would like to have an Emergency Recovery for Windows 10 so I can at least try to run System Restore points and so on.

Any other ideas?

6) I then cloned (made a DVD copy) of thw November-made DVD, and tried running the copy I made. It worked perfectly

Then why not use that?

Alernatively, as there seems to be an issue with your system not creating a bootable usb repair media correctly ( It is also possible the copy of winre on the hard disk is corrupt )

You can make your own bootable rescue media using the program from the oven.org
Win10XPE Project

mystiky said:

Thank you ALL for the feedback.

I went into Control Panel / Recover / Create Recovery Drive and chose to do it onto a Memory Stick. It told me it needs 16GB. I used a 32GB one. It created it (took about 20 minutes) and upon trying to boot off the USB Memory stick, I got the same WINLOAD.EFI error as I was/am getting with my attempts to create a Bootable System Recovery DVD.

Any other ideas?

T J said:

I've used 'Backup and Restore (Windows 7)' since 2012... ...I've restored several images since 2012 with W7 & W10. Never had a problem.

You're lucky then. Its most common failing is an inability to recognise an image that could be restored. This is particularly true if you ever save a W7 image to a WindowsImageBackup folder that contains W10 images. Doing so will make all the W10 images unavailable.

Microsoft said in 2017 that it was a deprecated feature, meaning that no further development will take place and that it could be removed in the future. They said that "We recommend that users use full-disk backup solutions from other vendors". My 'other vendor' of choice is Macrium.

Don't waste your time with MS Backup - use a more reliable alternative e.g. Macrium Reflect