Recovery Tools - 1.3.

15 - Beta By AnarethoS Sunday, February 24 2013 / 7:12 PM

Table of content

Table of content
1 Software presentation............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Purpose of this software ................................................................................................. 1 What it can do ................................................................................................................. 2 What it cannot do ............................................................................................................ 2 Functionalities ................................................................................................................. 3 Windows 7 ............................................................................................................... 3 Windows 8 ............................................................................................................... 4

1.4.1 1.4.2 1.5 1.6

Requirement .................................................................................................................... 4 Select the right package version...................................................................................... 5 Using Windows 8? Read this! ................................................................................ 5

1.6.1 1.7

Supported partition layout .............................................................................................. 6 MBR WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8) ............................. 6 UEFI WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8) .............................. 6 MBR WIM on the last partition (Windows8 only) ................................................ 6 UEFI WIM on the last partition (Windows 8 only) ................................................ 6 Partition types ......................................................................................................... 7

1.7.1 1.7.2 1.7.3 1.7.4 1.7.5 2

Installation ............................................................................................................................... 8 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Preparing the USB drive .................................................................................................. 8 Installing Windows .......................................................................................................... 8 Installing the recovery tools ............................................................................................ 9 Step by step installation ................................................................................................ 10

Testing scenario ..................................................................................................................... 16 3.1 3.2 Windows 7 ..................................................................................................................... 16 Windows 8 ..................................................................................................................... 16

Upgrading .............................................................................................................................. 17 4.1 Windows 8 WIM on the last partition ........................................................................ 17

Settings file explanation ........................................................................................................ 17 i

5.1 5.2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Windows 7 ..................................................................................................................... 17 Windows 8 ..................................................................................................................... 18

Splash Image (Logo)............................................................................................................... 19 Translation ............................................................................................................................. 19 Frequently asked questions................................................................................................... 20 Technical support .................................................................................................................. 21 Change log ......................................................................................................................... 21 Credits and thanks ............................................................................................................. 22 Licensing ............................................................................................................................ 23

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1 Software presentation
1.1 Purpose of this software
Computers, we use them every day. To check our mails, play games, do homework. We used them so much that, sometime, we forget that they are like car and that they may broke, suddenly, without warning, and this normally happen when you have something important to do. Now, your computer does not boot anymore. What can you do? Reinstall Windows? It will take hours with the time required to reinstall all your drivers and required apps. And if you don't know how to do it, you will have to bring it to the computer store. But, it may be closed or they may have too much computer to repair and you will have to wait several days. It would be easier to repair it automatically whit the press of a button or by connecting an USB drive, no? Well, that is exactly what I am offering you. A small software that can help you automatically repair and reinstall your Windows installation. And as a bonus, it can do all that without deleting your personal data. And if you can't wait to complete the recovery process, you can still access your files off-line to copy them to an USB drive so you can continue working on another computer. But be warned! This solution is not made to do full system backup. Rather, it has been made to allow you to bring back your Windows installation to the working state it was when the recovery image was made. If you made it 6 month ago, you will have to reinstall everything that changed since then. The only exception here is under Windows 8 that supports custom "Refresh" point, which is a custom recovery point for your Windows installation. Also, this recovery image must be done during a new installation of Windows. If Windows is already installed on your computer, you won't be able to create the recovery image.

1.2 What it can do

This software will allows you to create a one-time image of a base installation of Windows 7 or Windows 8 and copy this image to a hidden partition on the first drive of your computer. If, for any reason, Windows cannot boot anymore or you just want to revert back to this image, you will be able to use Windows Recovery Environment to completely reinstall Windows based on this image. It is up to you to decide what this image will contain. Will it be only Windows with its drivers, Windows with its drivers and all your personal applications? You decide. But chose wisely as the image CANNOT BE upgraded later. It is not a backup. It is a recovery image.

1.3 What it cannot do

Like I just said, this application creates a recovery image. Not a backup. So dont use it to create a recovery image with all your personal files. Use backup software for that. Also, dont waste your time personalising your settings. The Administrator account used during the preparation of the recovery image will be deleted. Dont waste your time.

1.4 Functionalities
1.4.1 Windows 7 Under Windows 7, the recovery tools will give you the following options: A central place from where you can access recovery options, including o Recovery media creator Can create a USB key to be used to restore the computer o Launch recovery environment Reboot the computer in the recovery environment o Launch Windows backup This will allows you to backup your personal files, programs and settings

The recovery environment, either booted from the recovery partition or the USB recovery media will give you the following options: Option to repair your computer o Repair boot option o Use system restore to go back to a snapshot made by Windows System recovery o Use a custom recovery image you may have created using the backup software built into Windows Reinstall Windows o Move the previous installation and you personal file to the Windows.Old folder and then reinstall Windows from the recovery image on the recovery partition DoubleCommander file browser o Access your file off-line. Useful if your computer can not boot and you dont have time to repair it right now. This will allows you to copy your personal file to a USB key to continue working on another computer. o For security reason, the file browser will require you to authenticate with an administrator account from the Windows installation

Please note that Windows 7, opposed to Windows 8, does not gives you the option to do a full reinstall. Previous installation of Windows will be always moved to Windows.Old folder. If you want to completely erase all data and trace of previous installation, you can either use a recovery media created on the computer, use the FullRestore.cmd script that can be found in C:\Windows or use the Full system recovery from the Advanced tools under the Recovery Environment.

1.4.2 Windows 8 Under Windows 8, the recovery tools will give you the following options: A central place from where you can access recovery options, including o Recovery media creator Can create a USB key to be used to restore the computer o Launch recovery environment Reboot the computer in the recovery environment o Launch Windows backup (File History) This will allows you to backup your personal files, programs and settings o Create a custom recovery point Allows to create a custom recovery point, delete it or create a new one A recovery point will replace the recovery image when do you a Refresh of your pc. A refresh reinstall Windows without deleting your files A custom image cannot be used to Reset the computer, which completely delete all files

The recovery environment, either booted from the recovery partition or the USB recovery media will give you the following options: Option to repair your computer o Repair boot option o Use system restore to go back to a snapshot made by Windows Refresh Windows o Move the previous installation and you personal file to the Windows.Old folder and then reinstall Windows from the recovery image on the recovery partition o If a custom recovery point was created, it will be used. Otherwise, it will use the recovery image Reset Windows o Completely erase the computer and reinstall Windows DoubleCommander file browser o Access your file off-line. Useful if your computer can not boot and you dont have time to repair it right now. This will allows you to copy your personal file to a USB key to continue working on another computer.

1.5 Requirement
This software will run only under Windows 7 or Windows 8. It does not work under Windows Vista or Windows XP.

Any computer that can run Windows 7 or Windows 8 can use this software, although a specific partition layout must be respected. Also, you will have to choose between two (2) version of the package for Windows 8, each with their pros and cons. The following section will explain the different partition structure supported by this program. All the files (XMK, script, etc.) for these scenarios are included with this package. For Windows 7, you will need to provide the ImageX.exe file, both for the 32bits (X86) and the 64bits (AMD64) version. Microsoft does not allows the redistribution of these files. They can be obtained from the Windows Automated Installation Package. Simply copy them in the right place in the ImageX folder in the Windows 7 tools. o

1.6 Select the right package version

This software comes in two (2) versions, one with the recovery image (WIM file) on the same partition as the Recovery Environment and one with the WIM file on the last partition. The first version is the only one which works with Windows 7. As for Windows 8, it works with both versions. 1.6.1 Using Windows 8? Read this! When using the version with the recovery image on the last partition, Windows 8 will allows you to delete this partition and regain the space when you create a recovery media (USB key). If the recovery image is on the same partition as the Recovery Tools, this option will not be available. Although it would seems natural to select the second package (WIM on the last partition), please note that all the scripts use partition number to find their required files. This means that if you resize your Windows partition to create a new partition, the partition number of the last partition (with the recovery image on it) will change, making system recovery impossible. Also, since the recovery partition cannot be created during the installation process of Windows, it will be created during the capture process, making the process longer. The size of the recovery partition can be set in the SettingsRE.txt file.

1.7 Supported partition layout

1.7.1 MBR WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8) Partition 1 2 3 Default size 12gb 150mb All Partition type Primary Primary Primary File system NTFS NTFS NTFS Role Recovery Boot manager Windows Active No Yes No 1.7.2 UEFI WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8) Partition 1 2 3 Default size 12gb 150mb 128mb Partition type Primary EFI MSR File system NTFS FAT32 N/A Role Recovery Boot manager System reserved Active No Yes No 1.7.3 MBR WIM on the last partition (Windows8 only) Partition 1 2 3 Default size 1gb 150mb All Partition type Primary Primary Primary File system NTFS NTFS NTFS Role Recovery Boot manager Windows Active No Yes No 1.7.4 UEFI WIM on the last partition (Windows 8 only) Partition 1 2 3 Default size 1gb 150mb 128mb Partition type Primary EFI MSR File system NTFS FAT32 N/A Role Recovery Boot System manager reserved Active No Yes No

4 All Primary NTFS Windows No

4 12gb Primary NTFS Recovery image No

4 All Primary NTFS Windows No

5 12gb Primary NTFS Recovery image No

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Partition types

1.7.5.1 MBR All partitions are of type 07 (ID = 07) except the recovery partition (and the recovery image partition) which are of type 27 (ID = 27). 1.7.5.2 UEFI/GPT Recovery partitions (and the recovery image partition) are of type {de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16abfd50179d6ac}. MSR, EFI and Windows partitions dont have any particular type.

2 Installation
2.1 Preparing the USB drive
1. From the AutoUnattend folder, under either the GPT or MBR folder, copy the AutoUnattend.xml file to the root of a USB 2. From the Settings Examples, under either the GPT or MBR folder, copy all files to the Settings folder 3. Run the Update_Settings.cmd script 4. Copy the configured package (INSTALLER folder) to the USB key 5. All other files can now be discarded, as the INSTALLER folder and the AutoUnattend.xml files are only required for this software

2.2 Installing Windows

1. Connect the USB key to the target computer and start Windows installation a. Use only RETAIL or MSDN media b. Dont use media that came with your computer as they may contains scripts that will prevent this software from working correctly 2. Select to install Windows 3. If you are using a media with more than 1 operating system available, select the one you want to install 4. Wait during the installation process a. All data and partitions of the first drive will be deleted b. Partitions will be automatically created 5. Proceed to the installation of all your software, drivers, updates, etc. a. Never use the SYSPREP screen. It will prevent the use of this software.

2.3 Installing the recovery tools

When everything is working as expected, you can then install the recovery tools to create the recovery partition 1. You should copy the installation folder on the hard drive in case something goes wrong and file access is lost to the USB drive 2. If copying the tools from a CD, remove the read-only attributes of the files on the computer 3. You should create a full backup of the computer, using Ghost or similar software, prior creating the recovery partition. If something goes wrong, you will be able to recover your base installation without having to do it again 4. Launch the Install script and wait for the SYSPREP and capture process

2.4 Step by step installation

This section will show you how to install the recovery tools under Windows 8. For this scenario, we will be using the package that creates the recovery image on the last partition, on a MBR/BIOS computer. The process is similar for Windows 7 or other package version of Windows 8. Step 1 Description Unzip the software package on a computer and select which version of the package you want to use. In this case, we will be using the WIM Last partition version. Image

Open the Autounattend folder.

Select the configuration that suits you need. In this scenario, we will be using the MBR package for BIOS computer.

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Copy the Autounattend.xml file to the root of the USB drive you will be using for the installation. You will need a USB drive even if you are using a DVD media to install Windows.

Now, open the Windows 8 Recovery tools folder.

Go to the Settings Examples folder and then into the MBR or GPT folder. You must use the same folder as in step 3!

Select all the files and copy them to the Settings folder.

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Now, execute the Update_Settings script.

You should see this if everything went correctly. If it is now the case, STOP NOW! In case of errors, check for Read Only attributes on the files.

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Copy the Installer folder to the same USB key on which you copied the AutoUnattend.xml file. Your drive should look like that.

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Connect the USB drive to the target computer and boot the Windows 8 installation media. The USB drive must be connected prior entering the setup screen. Select your locale settings and click Next.

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Select your Windows version and click Next.

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Wait while taking a beer or a coffee.

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If everything went correctly, Windows 8 should boot to this screen. As you can see, regular Metro apps are not present and you are logged-in with the Administrator account. Now, click on the Desktop tile.

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Close this window. ALWAYS close this window. Do NOT PRESS OK ON THIS WINDOW! Dont touch it. Ever!

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From your USB drive, copy the Installer folder on your desktop. Install all your apps, drivers, updates, etc. Continue to next step when ready.

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Launch the Install script.

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Wait during the creation of the recovery partition.

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This will takes some time. Please be patient.

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Computer will reboot to capture the Windows installation. Capture in progress

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Capture done. Go to next step to test everything.

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3 Testing scenario
Now that everything is installed, you must test everything. You dont want to give something not correctly working to your customers, dont you? Here are some tests that should be performed before giving the computer to the customer.

3.1 Windows 7
Boot the computer and complete OOBE process. Then test the following: Entering Recovery Environment by using the Recovery Tools inside Windows Entering Recovery Environment by using the F7 key Reinstalling Windows from the Recovery Environment o Retest previous component to be sure they still works Creating a recovery media and recovering Windows from it o Retest previous component to be sure they still works Test the FullRestore.cmd script o Retest previous component to be sure they still works If all test are OK, restore the computer one last time by using the FullRestore.cmd script and give the computer to the customer

3.2 Windows 8
Boot the computer and complete OOBE process. Then test the following: Entering Recovery Environment by using the Recovery Tools inside Windows Reinstalling Windows from the Recovery Environment (Reset and Refresh) o Retest previous component to be sure they still works Creating a recovery media and recovering Windows from it (Reset only) o Retest previous component to be sure they still works If all test are OK, restore the computer one last time by using the Reset option or the recovery media and give the computer to the customer

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4 Upgrading
Starting at version 1.3.6, an update script is available to upgrade the recovery tools to the latest version. The local recovery tools, the one in the recovery image and tools of the recovery environment will be upgraded. You should make a new recovery media after upgrading; otherwise using a previous recovery media will roll-back the changes made.

4.1 Windows 8 WIM on the last partition

You cant upgrade the recovery tools if you deleted the recovery image from the last partition. The process will fail.

5 Settings file explanation

This software requires lots of settings files to work correctly. You must be very careful if you do any modification to them.

5.1 Windows 7
ResetPartitions.txt o This is the script used by the recovery media (USB) to repartition the hard disk o It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt and AutoUnattend.Xml file Settings.ini o This is the file that include all language strings for the recovery tools SettingsRE.txt o This is the file used by CMD script to load the partitions, format them, etc. o It must match the settings of the ResetPartitions.txt and AutoUnattend.Xml file o WINLOAD parameter Must be equal to Winload.efi on UEFI computer Must be equal to Winload.exe on BIOS computer o BOOTFS parameter Must be equal to FAT32 on UEFI computer Must be equal to NTFS on BIOS computer Sysprep.xml o File used to prepare Windows for capture o Used to keep drivers and not delete them

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5.2 Windows 8
ResetPartitions.txt o This is the script used by the recovery media (USB) to repartition the hard disk o It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt, ResetConfig.xml and AutoUnattend.Xml file o Must NOT include Select Disk or Clean commands ResetConfig.xml o Used to tell recovery image location (partition number, etc.) in the recovery environment o Used to tell the name of the ResetPartitions.txt file o It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt, ResetPartitions.txt and AutoUnattend.Xml file Settings.ini o This is the file that include all language strings for the recovery tools SettingsRE.txt o This is the file used by CMD script to load the partitions, format them, etc. o It must match the settings of the ResetPartitions.txt, ResetConfig.xml and AutoUnattend.Xml file o WINLOAD parameter Must be equal to Winload.efi on UEFI computer Must be equal to Winload.exe on BIOS computer o BOOTFS parameter Must be equal to FAT32 on UEFI computer Must be equal to NTFS on BIOS computer Sysprep.xml o File used to prepare Windows for capture o Used to keep drivers and not delete them WinRE.xml o Used to rename the DoubleCommander file browser to Off-Line file browser

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6 Splash Image (Logo)

Starting in version 1.3.10, there is now a splash image for the recovery tools inside Windows. This splash image does not apply to the recovery tools when booting on the recovery media or the recovery partition.

The image must be placed in the following folder for Windows 7 Windows 7 Recovery Tools\Installer\Files\Windows\System32\RecoveryTools

The image must be placed in the following folder for Windows 8 Windows 8 Recovery Tools\Installer\Files\Windows\System32\RecoveryTools Once the file copied, you must edit Settings.ini file to enable it and change the following parameters: Parameter LogoFile LogoWidth LogoHeight LogoTime Description Filename of the logo. Must be JPG or BMP. Width of the logo Height of the logo Time, in seconds, to display the logo. Default Value Logo.jpg 400 200 0

7 Translation
All the language strings are saved in the Settings.ini file. Windows will automatically detect the current language and tries to load it from the file. If the current language is absent the software will rollback to English as the default language. When booting on the recovery media for Windows 7, the end-user will have to select the language he wants to use. Starting in 1.3.10, you can use a semi-colon (;) as a carriage return to split a line on multiple lines.

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8 Frequently asked questions

1. My computer crash after the image capture a. Can be due to a driver error. Try to isolate the driver in question and install it using SetupComplete/FirstLogon script b. Be sure to have the computer unplugged from the network while installing the recovery tools c. Disable your anti-virus when installing the recovery tools 2. Can I upgrade my recovery image? a. Windows 7: No b. Windows 8: Not exactly. You can create a custom recovery point using the recovery tools 3. In your previous software (Legacy 2.1.1), there was an option to create DVD recovery media. Will you give this option back in a future release? a. No, since Windows 8 will brings users to buy tablets or hybrid computer that dont have any DVD drive in them 4. I already have a working installation of Windows. Can I use your tools to create a recovery partition now? a. No. You can only create a recovery image and partition during a fresh installation of Windows 7 or 8. b. Under Windows 8, you can always create a custom Refresh image of your computer by using the RECIMG command line tool. i. This application may also help you in this situation

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9 Technical support
Technical support is provided free of charge on the My Digital Life forums. Update to this software can be found on my personal web page.

10 Change log
1.3.15 o Added : UEFI support under Windows 8 32bits (still not supported under Windows 7 32bits) 1.3.14 o Added : Italian under Windows 7 Recovery Tools o Added : New version for Windows 8 where recovery image is on the last partition of the computer, allowing the user to delete it after the creation of a recovery USB key o Updated : Instruction manual 1.3.13 o Modification to capture and reinstallation script to prevent phantom recovery drive under Windows o Added : Full system recovery option in Recovery Environment under Windows 7 o Added : Access to basic repair tools in Recovery Environment under Windows 7 1.3.12 o Windows 8: Now using a FirstLogon script since SetupComplete was not working with OEM key. The script is configured to run by using the Sysprep.xml file. o Minor translation error in English fixed 1.3.11 o Fixed bug with the path of the splash screen image o Fixed bug in Windows 7 recovery. Not more variable errors. 1.3.10 o Added line-splitting in settings.ini. See translation section o Added auto-reboot at the end of the recovery process for Windows 7 o Added support for splash image under Windows (not recovery media) 1.3.9 o Added : Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic in Windows 7 tools o Added : Hebrew in Windows 8 tools o Modified recovery media creator script under Windows 7 to make the boot drive Active. 1.3.8 o Fixed a bug in the Update script relating to SetupComplete script 21

 1.3.7 o 1.3.6 o

Updates from 1.3.X to 1.3.7 will lose the ability to rename the off-line file browser in Windows 8 Updates from 1.3.X to 1.3.7 will lose the ability to dismount automatically the recovery partition in Windows 7 / 8 Clean install of 1.3.7 will not have the problem Updating to 1.3.8 should fix that

Added a script (both in Windows 7 and Windows 8) to dismount the recovery partition from Windows at the end of OOBE Added update tools for Windows 7 and 8 You can upgrade from 1.2.0 and 1.3.X You must recreate the recovery media after upgrade You must configure the settings file to match your configuration Removed ImageX from the package, as required by Microsoft EULA New set of icons for the menus, which are not made by Microsoft Fixed a bug with the SetupComplete.Cmd script under Windows 8 to identify the File Browser Updated the file browser to latest version Added instruction guide (this guide) Fixed Windows 8 recovery media. No more error about missing partitions Modified installation script so Recovery partition is now hidden in Windows 7 Added some checkups (Winre.Wim file exist, etc.) Initial release of this version which include Windows 8 support

1.3.5 o o 1.3.4 o o o 1.3.3 o 1.3.2 o 1.3.1 o 1.3.0 o

11 Credits and thanks

Thanks to the My Digital Life forums community. Without you guys, this software wont have been made possible. Also, thanks to my entire beta tester.

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12 Licensing
All scripts, either the one made for command line (CMD) or in AutoIT, where made by me, Anarethos. These files can be freely distributed and modified. Just give me credits. The file browser (DoubleCommander) included with this software is a SourceForge project and more info can be found by clicking here. The Hard Drive icon used in the software was found on Internet. Source unknown. If you are the owner of this icon, please contact me (support forum) so I may remove it from this software or gives you credits for your works. Icons used in this software seem to be licensed for redistribution. The icons package is under the Source folder. If you are a computer manufacturer/store/seller, you can use my tool without any compensation (free laptop may be cool though!). But, I would really appreciate if you can send me a message telling me that you are using my software. Also, please give me credits on your web site or instruction manual.

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