How Do I View A Windows Image Backup


  1. Brucex64
    Posts : 117
    Windows 10
       New #1

    How Do I View A Windows Image Backup


    I found a folder on one of my drives from 2019 called "WindowsImageBackup" containing 4 sub folders and a small file which can't be read called MediaID. One of the folders contains 3 large files called "Hard Disk Image File". I may have used a software app to image my computer or laptop but I don't know which one. Its not Macrium. The windows built in backup function doesn't recognize it.

    I was able to go into disk Management and mount it as a virtual hard drive but no files will show. Its showing that the drive is full so there is stuff on there. How do I find out what program created this so that maybe it can only be opened or viewed with that program?
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 43,282
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    What is the file extension?
    Seems to be some Windows system image:
    windows - What is Catalog and Mediaid in WindowsImageBackup? - Super User

    As this is old, not likely to be of much use unless you know you want to recover something.

    Assuming you have a vhd file see e.g.
    How to Open VHD Files with WinZip

    Scroll down to/find
    How do I open a VHD file?

    I do hope you are using 3rd party (not MS) disk imaging regularly and routinely.
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  4. Pentagon
    Posts : 13
    WIN 10
       New #3

    Brucex64 said:
    I was able to go into disk Management and mount it as a virtual hard drive but no files will show.
    Did you assign a Drive Letter? Then you should be able to see the files in Explorer.
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  6. Brucex64
    Posts : 117
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    I installed the current version of winzip but it will not open this type of file. the file extension under properties is .vhdx

    No, I don't use any disk imaging on my computer because I have all my data backed up in the cloud (Crashplan). So the only thing not backed up is my actual windows system with all the apps as I have them installed. If this drive fails, I'd have to download windows again and then re-install the programs from the backed up version. Actually I do have an ISO image of the Windows 10 install media, but I made it when I downloaded win10 on my new build so its an outdated version of Win10. I assume it would prompt me to update as I install it.

    I was hoping to look thru this image before deleting it to make sure there's nothing I need to keep (this image is not part of my backup set, its on a different external drive). I think its coming back to me. I bought my laptop used, and it had software on it, so I made an image in case anything happened because I do not have the original install files for those programs. But I don't know what program I used to make the image. I forgot I had this image, and I wiped the laptop & re-installed win10 clean.
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  7. dalchina
    Posts : 43,282
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #5

    Thank you for your reply.

    Disk imaging is not comparable to backing up data. If you are comfortable with the consequences of not using it and fully understand that, that's great.

    I guess this is what you've tried:
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/an...ount-vhdx-file

    Similar to your issue:
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/an...x-system-image
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  8. Pentagon
    Posts : 13
    WIN 10
       New #6

    It's so easy to explore the contents of a *.vhdx that you must have made s.th. wrong.
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