How to complete restore using just a VHDX file?
I realize this is two years too late but having just gone through a similar experience with Windows 10, I finally came across this post which helped me resolve my problem. I needed to convert the VHD/VHDX from my Windows Backup to a Windows Imaging Format (WIM) disk file and restore that to my C: drive.
Before starting, you'll need the exact path to the VHDX for the Mount command.
Assuming the system image backup or other VHDX resides on an external drive D: (change the D: drive letter to match the location of your backup VHD/VHDX):
- Connect the backup drive containing the backup to another Windows PC.
- Open a PowerShell command window as Administrator.
- Create a "Mount" and "Capture" folder on D:.
md D:\Mount, D:\Capture
- Mount the VHDX at D:\Mount.
Mount-WindowsImage -ImagePath "D:\full_path_to.vhdx" -Path D:\Mount -Index 1
- Write the "Mount" folder to a new WIM file.
New-WindowsImage -CapturePath D:\Mount -Name Win10Backup -ImagePath D:\Capture\Backup.wim -Description "Windows 10 Backup" -Verify
- Once completed, unmount the VHDX and safely disconnect the backup drive.
Dismount-WindowsImage -Path D:\Mount -Discard
On the computer to restore, connect the drive containing the WIM file, boot up the Windows 10 setup media and from the install screen select "Repair Computer" > "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced Options" > "Command Prompt".
(You may need to use DiskPart from the command line to make sure C: refers to your desired C: partition.)
From the command line, format and then restore the C: drive from the WIM:
format c: /q
Dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:D:\Capture\Backup.wim /Index:1 /ApplyDir:C:\
Once completed, cross your fingers and reboot.