Is it possible to make a full image backup of an SSD on Windows?

If Windows isn't being run within a VM, full disk images are ill-advised because they're literally not needed unless deploying to multiple machines specifically via FFU images; outside of that, there's literally no use case for partition-level or disk-level images within Windows since Win ≥ XP uses NTFS as the default filesystem (specific to this question, the OS partition is the only partition needing to be imaged).

Due to this, and excluding FFU images, a conventional partition-level or disk-level image containing offset, alignment, block size, etc. isn't required in Windows, and they:

• lack native Windows support and therefore require third-party programs and non-standard Windows boot media
• often lack compression and parity, the main advantages of the Windows Image file format
  • WIMs/ESDs can contain multiple images within a relatively small single image file, with data impossible to corrupt provided /CheckIntegrity and /Verify are always used
• lock the image to that specific partition or drive layout (offset, alignment, block size, etc.)
• often have no data verification, therefore are subject to data corruption
  
  

PowerShell Mapping | Win ≥ 8: Dism | Win ≤ 7: ImageX

The initial base WIM/ESD does take longer to capture than third-party cloning because parity is built-in to the WIM/ESD file format; after the base image, subsequent appended images take less time. A WIM/ESD can contain multiple images within a relatively small single image file, with data impossible to corrupt provided /CheckIntegrity and /Verify are always used

• WIMs (Windows IMage) can capture an entire partition or individual folders/files
• ESDs (Electronic Software Distribution) can only capture an OS partition and must use /Compress:Recovery (algorithm is ~33% more efficient than /Compress:Max)
  • Windows ≥ 10: Can only be used for PBR [Push-Button Reset] exported images
  • Windows ≤ 8.1: Can be used on a bootable Windows install or a PBR image
    
    
• Specify exclusions or exceptions by creating a WimScript.ini config file, with /ScratchDir being required in WinPE since it only has 32MB of scratch [temp] space by default
  • To negate the need of /ScratchDir, see section WinPE/WinRE Customizations
    
    
• Even though /CheckIntegrity (ImageX: /Check) and /Verify do extend the image processing time, they should always be used since they prevent data corruption from occurring within the WIM/ESD
  
  

Prerequisites

1. Boot to WinRE: (OS partition can only be captured from WinPE)
   1. Open an Admin terminal: +R → Open: powershell → Ctrl+Shift+OK

      shutdown /r /o /f /t 00
      

   2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt
      
      
2. Identify the mount point of the offline OS partition: (it's likely not C:)
   1. DiskPart → either:
      • lis vol → sel vol # → det vol → exit
      • lis dis → sel dis # → lis par → sel par # → det par → exit
        
        

Capture Image OR Append Image

1. Either:
   1. Capture a base image:

      # Mount Points:
        # C: offline OS partition
        # Z: partition WIM is being saved to
      
      # Windows ≥8: DISM
        Dism /Capture-Image /ImageFile:"Z:\Base.wim" /CaptureDir:"C:" /Name:"Windows Backup" /Description:"Base Image 2023.11.17 @ 12:00" /Compress:Max /CheckIntegrity /Verify /ScratchDir:"Z:"
      
      # Windows XP ≤ 7: ImageX
        ImageX /Capture "C:" "Z:\Base.esd" "Windows Backup" "Base Image 2023.11.17 @ 12:00" /Compress:Recovery /Check /Verify /ScratchDir:"Z:\"
      

      • Mechanical HDD: since compression takes longer if using /Compress:<Max||Recovery>, if time's an issue, it's more efficient to use /Compress:Fast, exporting the index later using Max or Recovery
        
        
   2. Append an image to an existing WIM:

      # Mount Points
        # C: offline OS partition
        # Z: partition containing the WIM
      
      # Windows ≥8: DISM
        Dism /Append-Image /ImageFile:"Z:\Base.wim" /CaptureDir:"C:" /Name:"Windows Backup" /Description:"Appended Image 2023.11.17 @ 12:00" /CheckIntegrity /Verify /ScratchDir:"Z:"
      
      # Windows XP ≤ 7: ImageX
        ImageX /Append "C:" "Z:\Base.esd" "Windows Backup" "Appended Image 2023.11.17 @ 12:00" /Compress:Recovery /Check /Verify /ScratchDir:"Z:\"
      

      • Compression is locked to the value set when the base image was captured
      • Individual indexes can be deleted via /Delete-Image or exported to their own WIM/ESD via /Export-Image
        
        

Apply Image

1. Format the offline OS partition:
   1. DiskPart → lis dis → sel dis # → lis par → sel par #
   2. Verify correct partition selected: det par
   3. format fs=ntfs quick label=OS → det par
   4. If mount point [Ltr] still exists → exit; if not: assign letter=O → exit

        Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
        ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
      * Volume 8     O   OS           NTFS   Partition    300 GB  Healthy    Boot
      

      
      
2. /Get-ImageInfo to ensure correct index [image] is being applied:

   # Windows ≥8: DISM
     Dism /Get-ImageInfo /ImageFile:"Z:\Base.wim"
   
   # Windows XP ≤ 7: ImageX
     ImageX /Info "Z:\Base.wim"
   

   
   
3. Apply image to the offline OS partition:

     # Mount Points
       # C: offline OS partition image is being applied to
       # Z: partition containing the WIM
   
   # Windows ≥8: DISM
     Dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:"Z:\Base.wim" /Index:1 /ApplyDir:"C:" /CheckIntegrity /Verify /ScratchDir:"Z:"
   
   # Windows XP ≤ 7: ImageX
     ImageX /Apply "Z:\Base.wim" 1 "C:" /Check /Verify /ScratchDir:"Z:\"
   

   
   
4. BootRec must be run prior to exiting WinPE/WinRE:
   • BIOS:

     BootRec /FixMBR && BootRec /FixBoot && BootRec /RebuildBCD
     

   • UEFI:

     ::# With existing bootable EFI partition:
         BootRec /FixMBR && BootRec /RebuildBCD
     
     
     ::# Without existing bootable EFI partition:
         ::# Create EFI directories and enter:
             MkDir "Y:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot"
             Cd /d "Y:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot"
     
         ::# Create EFI boot structure:
             BootRec /Fixboot
     
             ::# If Access Denied error occurs (C: is applied image):
                 BcdBoot C:\Windows /s Y: /f UEFI
     
         ::# Resolve any other boot issues:
             BootRec /FixMBR && BootRec /RebuildBCD
     

     
     

PS $  ls -file "Z:\WIM"

  Directory: Z:\WIM

    Mode                LastWriteTime            Length  Name
    ----                -------------            ------  ----
    -a----        2023.09.05 00:33:46   40,193,295,546B  Base.wim
    -a----        2023.09.05 00:07:12              568B  Dism.cmd
    -a----        2023.09.05 00:09:51               97B  WimScript.ini


PS $  Dism /Get-ImageInfo /ImageFile:"Z:\WIM\base.wim"

  Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.22621.1

    Details for image : Z:\WIM\base.wim

      Index : 1
        Name : Alienware 18: Windows 11
        Description : v22H2: Base (Drivers & Updates Only)
        Size : 48,259,986,179 bytes

      Index : 2
        Name : Alienware 18: Windows 11
        Description : v22H2: Programs Installed (Customizations Applied)
        Size : 74,666,504,006 bytes

PS $ Dism /Get-ImageInfo /ImageFile:"Z:\WIM\base.wim" /Index:1

  Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.22621.1

    Details for image : Z:\WIM\base.wim

      Index : 1
        Name : Alienware 18: Windows 11
        Description : v22H2: Base (Drivers & Updates Only)
        Size : 48,259,986,179 bytes
        WIM Bootable : No
        Architecture : x64
        Hal : COMPUTER\Generic
        Version : 10.0.22621
        ServicePack Build : 2215
        ServicePack Level : 0
        Edition : Professional
        Installation : Client
        ProductType : WinNT
        ProductSuite : Terminal Server
        System Root : WINDOWS
        Directories : 48508
        Files : 195745
        Created : 2023.08.28 - 22:09:33
        Modified : 2023.08.28 - 22:09:34
        Languages : en-US (Default)


PS $  Dism /Get-ImageInfo /ImageFile:"Z:\WIM\base.wim" /Index:2

  Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.22621.1

    Details for image : Z:\WIM\base.wim

      Index : 2
        Name : Alienware 18: Windows 11
        Description : v22H2: Programs Installed (Customizations Applied)
        Size : 74,666,504,006 bytes
        WIM Bootable : No
        Architecture : x64
        Hal : COMPUTER\Generic
        Version : 10.0.22621
        ServicePack Build : 2215
        ServicePack Level : 0
        Edition : Professional
        Installation : Client
        ProductType : WinNT
        ProductSuite : Terminal Server
        System Root : WINDOWS
        Directories : 60460
        Files : 275154
        Created : 2023.09.04 - 23:30:09
        Modified : 2023.09.04 - 23:30:10
        Languages : en-US (Default)

1. DiskPart:

   ::# List disks:
       Lis Dis
   
   ::# Select OS drive # WIM is being applied to:
       Sel Dis #
   
   ::# Wipe partition table (assumes no data on drive is being preserved)
       Clean
   

   UEFI:

   Convert Gpt
   

   
   
2. Create boot partition:
   • BIOS:

     Cre Par Pri Offset=1024 Size=100
     Format Quick Fs=NTFS Label=Boot
     Active
     

   • UEFI:

     Cre Par EFI Offset=1024 Size=100
     Format Quick Fs=FAT32 Label=EFI
     Assign Letter=Y
     Cre Par Msr Size=16
     

   
   
3. Create System partition:
   • Rest of the drive as the System partition:
     If C: can't be assigned, change 3 & 5 to another letter
     • BIOS:

       Cre Par Pri
       Format Quick Fs=NTFS Label=System
       Exit
       

     • UEFI:

       Cre Par Pri Id=ebd0a0a2-b9e5-4433-87c0-68b6b72699c7
       Format Quick Fs=NTFS Label=System
       Assign Letter=C
       Exit
       

   • Additional partitions after the [200GB] System partition:
     If storing User Data directories on a partition other than C:\ (recommended), max size required is ~300GB (multiply size wanted by 1024: 200*1024=204800)
     • BIOS:

       Cre Par Pri Size=204800
       Format Quick Fs=NTFS Label=System
       Exit
       

     • UEFI:

       Cre Par Pri Size=204800 Id=ebd0a0a2-b9e5-4433-87c0-68b6b72699c7
       Format Quick Fs=NTFS Label=System
       Assign Letter=C
       Exit
       

       
       
4. Create WinRE partition: (should have 320MB free to allow for future WIM size increases)
   • BIOS:

     Shrink Desired=665 Minimum=650 
     Cre Par Pri id=27
     Format Quick Fs=NTFS Label=WinRE
     

   • UEFI:

     Shrink Desired=665 Minimum=650
     Cre Par Pri Id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
     Format Quick Fs=NTFS Label=WinRE
     Gpt Attributes=0x8000000000000001
     

   
   
5. Resolve any boot issues: (once WIM has been applied)
   • BIOS:

     BootRec /FixMBR && BootRec /FixBoot && BootRec /RebuildBCD
     

   • UEFI:

     ::# With existing bootable EFI partition:
         BootRec /FixMBR && BootRec /RebuildBCD
     
     
     ::# Without existing bootable EFI partition:
       ::# Create EFI directories and enter:
           MkDir "Y:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot"
           Cd /d "Y:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot"
     
       ::# Create EFI boot structure:
           BootRec /Fixboot
     
           ::# If Access Denied error occurs (C: is applied image):
               BcdBoot C:\Windows /s Y: /f UEFI
     
       ::# Resolve any other boot issues:
           BootRec /FixMBR && BootRec /RebuildBCD
     

     
     
6. Remove EFI mountpoint and Reboot:

   DiskPart
   
     Sel Vol Y
     Remove
     Exit
   

   
   

To increase the temp space available in WinPE/WinRE, negating the need for /ScratchDir:

WinPE

1. Open an Admin terminal: +R → Open: powershell → Ctrl+Shift+OK

2. ## <InstallUSB>: drive letter for the Install USB ##
   
   # Create working directory:
     MkDir "C:\Mount"
   
   # Get correct image index (Windows Setup is usually #2):
     Dism /Get-ImageInfo /ImageFile:"<InstallUSB>:\sources\boot.wim"
   
   # Mount WinPE Windows Setup WIM:
     Dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:"<InstallUSB>:\sources\boot.wim" /Index:2 /MountDir:"C:\Mount"
   
   # Load WinPE SYSTEM hive:
     Reg Load HKLM\WinPE "C:\Mount\Windows\System32\config\SYSTEM"
   
     # Show hidden files:
       Reg Add HKLM\WinPE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v Hidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1
       Reg Add HKLM\WinPE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowSuperHidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1
   
     # Show file extensions:
       Reg Add HKLM\WinPE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v HideFileExt /t REG_DWORD /d 0
   
     # Unload Hive:
       Reg Unload HKLM\WinPE
   
   # Set WinPE default temp space to 512MB:
     Dism /Set-ScratchSpace:512 /Image:"C:\Mount"
   
   # Unmount WinPE Windows Setup WIM:
     Dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:"C:\Mount" /Commit
   
   # Cleanup:
     RmDir /s /q "C:\Mount"
   

WinRE

1. Open an Admin terminal: +R → Open: powershell → Ctrl+Shift+OK
2. Mount WinRE partition:
   DiskPart → lis vol → sel vol # → det vol → assign letter=W → exit

3. # Create working directory:
     MkDir "C:\Mount"
   
   # Mount WinRE WIM:
     Dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:"W:\Recovery\WindowsRE\winre.wim" /Index:1 /MountDir:"C:\Mount"
   
   # Load WinRE SYSTEM hive:
     Reg Load HKLM\WinRE "C:\Mount\Windows\System32\config\SYSTEM"
   
     # Show hidden files:
       Reg Add HKLM\WinRE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v Hidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1
       Reg Add HKLM\WinRE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowSuperHidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1
   
     # Show file extensions:
       Reg Add HKLM\WinRE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v HideFileExt /t REG_DWORD /d 0
   
     # Unload Hive:
       Reg Unload HKLM\WinRE
   
   # Set WinRE default temp space to 512MB:
     Dism /Set-ScratchSpace:512 /Image:"C:\Mount"
   
   # Unmount WinRE WIM:
     Dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:"C:\Mount" /Commit
   
   # Cleanup:
     RmDir /s /q "C:\Mount"
   

4. Unmount WinRE partition: DiskPart → sel vol W → remove → exit