Multi-boot identical OS on a GPT disk

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by Brian K, May 21, 2015.

  1. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,113
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    Restore a Win8.1 entire drive image to a blank HD. The partitions are...

    Recovery
    EFI
    MSR
    Win8.1

    The following steps were performed in IFL

    The EFI partition was imaged to create this file... e8_1.tbi
    A script was created to restore the above image... e8_1.tbs

    Next, the same Win8.1 image was used
    The EFI image was restored to the EFI partition already on the HD
    The Recovery image was restored to Free Space following the Win8.1 partition. The "Update Boot Partition" option was used. (This is essential)
    The Win8.1 image was restored to Free Space following the Recovery partition. The "Update Boot Partition" option was used. (This is essential)

    The EFI partition was imaged to create this file... e8_2.tbi
    A script was created to restore the above image... e8_2.tbs

    Restart into IFL (don't boot Windows yet)
    Let's say you want to boot the first Win8.1
    Open Partition Work
    Select the first Win8.1. Properties. Make sure the Type is Normal Data.
    Select the second Win8.1. Properties. Change the Type to Linux Data. (this prevents the Windows file system accessing it)
    Run e8_1.tbs
    The first Win8.1 boots

    Let's say you want to boot the second Win8.1
    Restart into IFL
    Open Partition Work
    Select the first Win8.1. Properties. Change the Type to Linux Data.
    Select the second Win8.1. Properties. Make sure the Type is Normal Data.
    Run e8_2.tbs
    The second Win8.1 boots

    You can have as many Win8, Win7, Win10 and Ubuntu OS on the same GPT disk as you like.
     
  2. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,113
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    You can run a single script in IFL to change the Partition Type and restore the EFI System partition. You are only in IFL for 2 to 3 seconds before auto restarting into the new Windows.
     
  3. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,113
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    Instead of using images, you can use Win8 or Win10 boot media to add extra OS to your base OS installation. These are not Microsoft multi-boots. They are independent OS.

    This is a good way to have a test OS as well as your main OS. Each OS doesn't interfere with the other. The test OS can be imaged and restored to its baseline whenever you desire.
     
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