[Solved] System Image Recovery Not Displaying

What Is System Image Recovery? System Image Recovery is a process that allows you to restore your computer's operating system and critical partitions to their original state by using a backup image. This backup, commonly referred to as a system image, is an exact replica of your hard drive or SSD at a specific point in time. It includes the operating system, installed programs, system settings, and important system files. When you encounter severe system issues, such as a corrupted OS, malware infections, or hardware failures, system image recovery can be a lifesaver. Instead of manually reinstalling the operating system and configuring everything from scratch, you can use the system image to quickly revert your computer to a functional state. To perform system image recovery, you typically need the system image file, which can be created using built-in tools like Windows' Backup and Restore or third-party backup solutions. The recovery process usually involves booting from a recovery disc or USB, selecting the restore option, and choosing the appropriate system image to apply to the affected partitions. It's essential to keep in mind that system image recovery will overwrite all data on the restored partitions, so it's crucial to have recent backups of your personal files if you want to preserve them.

A system image recovery involves restoring your computer using a system image. A system image is a comprehensive duplicate of your PC, including the operating system (OS), applications, and files. It is one method of system recovery in Windows. When your computer fails or stops functioning, you can employ system image recovery to reinstall the complete system image onto your computer, thereby bringing it back to a working state.

If you wish to locate System Image Recovery on your computer, you can follow these steps. For Windows 10 users, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. In the Advanced startup section on the right-hand side, click on Restart under Advanced startup. For Windows 11 users, open Settings > System > Recovery, and then click on Reset next to Advanced startup.

Scenarios for System Image Recovery Not Appearing

When computer users want to use the System Image Recovery feature, they might find that it is not available under Advanced Options.

However, most computer users encounter this issue. When users attempt to perform system image recovery, they discover that the system image is missing from their computer. This could be due to several reasons:

1. Renaming the folder of a system image. 2. Moving the "WindowsImageBackup" folder to another location. 3. Modifying the sub-folder names. 4. Adding additional folders to the WindowsImageBackup folder. 5. Storing multiple system images on a USB drive and altering the mediaID file.

How to Resolve the "System Image Recovery Not Showing" Error

Here, you'll discover solutions to fix the "System Image Recovery not showing" error. You can choose any method and follow the provided steps to rectify the issue and seamlessly perform a Windows System Image Restore on your computer.

Method 1: Use Troubleshoot to Locate System Image Recovery

Step 1. If you can boot from the USB and get to Advanced Startup, you should see a Troubleshoot option.

Step 2. Click on it, and then select Advanced Options. There, you should find System Image Recovery.

Step 3. Connect your external HDD with the system image, and then click "System Image Recovery" to perform a system recovery.

Method 2: Manual Solutions to Fix Windows System Recovery Not Displaying Error

Step 1. Modify the System Image Folder to WindowsImageBackup.

Step 2. Place the WindowsImageBackup folder in the Root Directory of a Drive.

Step 3. Do not rename the sub-folder.

Step 4. Do not add any folders to the WindowsImageBackup folder.

Step 5. Make sure the mediaID.bin file is stored in the same folder as your system image.

Alternative Method: Utilize a System Backup Software

The aforementioned methods might be complicated for new computer users as they require specific computer skills. If you failed to perform a system image recovery following the steps, you could try using backup software - Todo Backup.

Todo Backup Home is a robust backup tool designed for Windows users. It is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, and Vista. This utility enables you to automatically create a system backup and facilitate backup recovery when needed. You can use it to back up various file types, including photos and videos. Additionally, it serves as a universal restore software for executing a universal restore process. The system backup and recovery are effortless and efficient, catering to free, home, and business users alike.

Guide: How to Backup and Restore System Image using a System Backup Tool

You need to backup the system and restore the system image. You can follow the guide below.

Part 1. Create a Windows system image.

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer, and click Create Backup on the home screen. Then, hit the big question mark to select backup contents.

Step 2. To back up your Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup task.

Step 3. Your Windows operating system information and all system-related files and partitions will be automatically selected, so you don't need to make any manual selections here. Next, you need to choose a location to save the system image backup by clicking on the highlighted area.

Step 4. The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, a network, cloud, or NAS. Generally, we recommend using an external physical drive or cloud to store your system backup files.

Step 5. If interested, you can access customization settings like enabling an automatic backup schedule for daily, weekly, monthly intervals, or upon specific events, as well as creating differential and incremental backups by clicking on the Options button. Once ready, click "Backup Now". This will initiate the Windows system backup process. When complete, the finished backup task will be displayed on the left side in a card format.

Part 2. Recover System Image.

* To perform system recovery on a non-bootable machine, try to boot the computer using the Todo Backup emergency disk.

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup, and click "Browse to Recover".

Step 2. Navigate to your backup destination, and select the system backup file that you need. (The backup file created by Todo Backup tools is a PBD file.)

Step 3. Select the recovery disk. Ensure that the partition style of the source disk and the recovery disk are identical.

Step 4. You can customize the disk layout as per your requirement. Then, click "Proceed" to commence the system backup recovery.

Conclusion

You can utilize any of the methods mentioned above to address the "system image recovery not showing" error. We recommend using the tool Todo Backup Home for a solution. With the assistance of Todo Backup, you won't need to concern yourself with this issue anymore. Furthermore, this backup utility can also be employed for various tasks, such as automatically backing up files to an external hard drive or backing up PST files.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

< strong > 1. Will system image recovery delete my files? < /strong > Performing a system image recovery typically restores the entire system to its state at the time the image was created, which includes all the system files, applications, and settings. This process may delete any new or changed files on your computer since the image was made, as it replaces the current state of your system with the saved snapshot. It's crucial to back up any important data before performing a system image recovery to avoid losing personal files.

System image recovery will not delete your files during the recovery process. It only restores your system files, applications, settings, etc., back to the state they were in when the system image was created.

**2. What is the difference between System Restore and system image recovery?** System Restore and system image recovery are two distinct methods to revert your computer's software configuration to a previous state. Here's the difference: **System Restore:** System Restore is a feature in Windows that allows you to roll back your system files, settings, and installed programs to a specific point in time called a "restore point." This point is usually created automatically before significant events like installing new software or drivers, or you can create one manually. System Restore does not affect your personal files; it only impacts system components. It's designed to fix issues caused by recent changes, malware infections, or incorrect configurations. **System Image Recovery:** System Image Recovery involves restoring your entire hard drive's contents, including the operating system, applications, settings, and all your files, from a backup image. A system image is a complete snapshot of your drive at a specific time. This backup can be created using built-in tools like Windows Backup or third-party software. If your system becomes unbootable due to a severe issue, hardware failure, or a corrupted operating system, system image recovery can restore your computer to its exact state as when the image was taken. In summary, System Restore focuses on reverting system settings and installed programs without touching personal files, while System Image Recovery is a comprehensive restoration of everything on your hard drive, including personal data.

System Restore enables computer users to create restore points, revert to a previous restore point, and modify System Restore settings. System Recovery ensures the safety and security of files from hard drive failures or disasters.

3. Where is the location of the system image? The location of the system image refers to the storage place where the backup or snapshot of an operating system is stored. This can vary depending on the method used for creating the system image. For Windows users, the default location for system images is usually in the "WindowsImageBackup" folder within the "Documents and Settings" or "Users" folder on the hard drive. If you have customized the location during the backup process, it would be wherever you specified. In a network environment, the system image might be stored on a server or a shared network location for easy access and distribution. If you're using cloud-based backup services, the system image would be stored on the provider's servers, accessible through your account. Remember, accessing the system image requires appropriate permissions and may involve specific software or tools provided by the backup solution you are using.

The system image folder should be located at the root level of your hard drive on your computer. Otherwise, Windows system recovery will not succeed, as the system image cannot be located. Make sure to remember where you saved the system image in the correct directory on your computer's drive.

4. Can System Restore recover deleted files? System Restore is primarily designed to revert your system settings, software configurations, and registry entries to a previous point in time, not to recover accidentally deleted files. It creates restore points that capture these elements, but it does not typically include user files. If you have deleted important files, System Restore may not be the ideal solution for recovery. However, in some cases, if a deletion occurred around the time of a restore point, the file might still be present in the system. But this is not a guarantee, and using specialized data recovery software would generally be a more reliable method for retrieving deleted files.

System Restore is an integrated feature in Windows. It enables computer users to revert their system to a specific point in time when a backup was created. However, it does not facilitate the recovery of deleted files.