> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.eazybackup.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.eazybackup.com/guides/disk-image-backup-restore-guide.md).

# Disk Image Backup Restore Guide

Disk Image backup protects a complete disk or selected partitions. You can recover an entire computer after a disk failure, restore the image as a virtual machine, or retrieve individual files.

For the best bare-metal recovery coverage, include the entire system disk in the backup. This preserves the partition table, boot partition, and EFI System Partition when present.

## Choose a restore method

In eazyBackup, select **Restore**, choose the Storage Vault and Disk Image snapshot, then select the method that matches your recovery goal.

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### Restore to physical device(s)

Writes selected disks or partitions directly to local physical devices. Use this for bare-metal recovery or to replace a failed disk.

{% hint style="danger" %}
This method overwrites the selected target disks or partitions. Confirm the source-to-target mapping before starting the restore.
{% endhint %}

The target must be unmounted and not in use. A non-system disk may be restorable from the running operating system, but restoring the system disk requires booting into recovery media.

1. Select a backed-up disk or partition on the left.
2. Select the destination disk or partition on the right.
3. Select **Add to restore queue**.
4. Repeat as needed, then select **Restore**.

A smaller filesystem can be expanded when restored to a larger supported partition. A backed-up partition cannot be restored to a smaller target; shrink it before the backup if a smaller restore target will be required.

### Files and Folders

Restores the Disk Image as virtual hard disk files. The output includes a VMDK descriptor and the disk or partition extent files it references.

Choose this method when you need the complete image files for manual recovery, attachment to compatible virtualization software, or later conversion. It requires enough destination space for the restored image.

### Granular restore

Browses supported filesystems inside the Disk Image and restores only the selected files or folders. The complete virtual disk does not need to be restored first.

Granular restore supports NTFS, FAT, EXT4, and XFS, subject to the partition layout and filesystem features used in the image. If the filesystem is unsupported, restore the virtual disk files and use a compatible disk utility to retrieve the data.

### Restore to Hyper-V

Creates a new virtual machine in the local Hyper-V environment. eazyBackup converts the selected Disk Image disks to VHDX, restores them to the chosen storage path, and registers the VM.

Match the VM generation to the source system: Generation 2 for UEFI systems and Generation 1 for legacy BIOS systems. Review networking and guest drivers before starting production workloads.

### Restore to VMware vSphere

Creates a new virtual machine on a network-accessible VMware ESXi or vSphere environment. eazyBackup converts the disks to a compatible VMDK format during the restore.

Provide the destination credentials, then select the datacenter, host, datastore, and network for the new VM. Backing up all disks and partitions gives the best chance of preserving a bootable system layout.

### Restore to Proxmox

Creates a new virtual machine on a network-accessible Proxmox VE cluster. Provide suitable cluster credentials, then choose the destination node, storage, and network settings.

After the restore, verify the VM firmware mode, disk controller, network configuration, and guest drivers before placing the VM into service.

{% hint style="info" %}
Physical-to-virtual restores can trigger Windows or application reactivation because the recovered system detects different hardware.
{% endhint %}

## Create USB recovery media

eazyBackup can create bootable recovery media from the **Settings** screen. Use it when the operating system will not start or when restoring the system disk.

* **WinRE** creates minimal media based on the Windows Recovery Environment.
* **Windows To Go** creates a full Windows boot environment.

You can also use a suitable Windows or Linux recovery environment, including OEM recovery media or a Windows-to-Go drive created with a third-party tool. Install or launch eazyBackup in that environment, connect to the Storage Vault, and start the restore.

***

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