Backing Up An Encrypted System Disk When It Is Booted Into...

I'm new to imaging system disks and encrypting. I want to encrypt my C: system disk and then be able to back this up as easily and safely as possible (to have a back up, not to transfer to a new disk). Using Veracrypt and Macrium Reflect. Done some digging and it gets quickly gets into having to use WinPE and MacriumPE and looks messy.

Can i encrypt my C:, then boot into it. Open Reflect and simply image the C:? I'm guessing i'm missing something here and the image won't work if needed (as VCrypt has a boot loader? outside of the encrypted disk?).

Also i am unsure how to test an image file, w/out potentially writing over my "live" system...I've researched a lot and i'm just not getting very far. Would really appreciate some straight forward help.
Thanks

 

Yes, you can image your C: drive whether encrypted or not, but it is better to ask Macrium to create a system image, just in case the boot files aren't on C:. You could also boot to your rescue media and do it that way, but whatever, do create and test your rescue media, as you need it to restore an image.

This is a dilemma everyone new to imaging faces. Certainly the first few times run image verification to be sure you have created a valid image but the only way to be certain your image will restore successfully is to restore it to a spare disk and boot to it. What I used to do was start the restore process but not click the final OK. That's 95% as good as an actual restore.

Your worries are understandable but after you've been through the process two or three times they will disappear, to be replaced by a comforting belief that finally your system is bombproof.

 

Hi Earthling
Thanks for the quick reply. So use MR to create a system image and this should pick up any boot files that VC has put on the c but outside of the encrypted part of that drive (eventhough the whole drive is encrypted - this is how VC does it from what i understand)?

You say boot to your rescue media. I'm sorry, i don't understand - i'm a very trial and error computer user.

You're walkthrough of verfiying a system image is really helpful. Thank you.
Yes, scary stuff for the first few times as you say.
I appreciate your help.
Cheers

 

Macrium is useless without its rescue media. You use that to boot your computer in order to restore an image. You can't restore an image whilst Windows is running - well it's possible but I won't go into that atm. The procedure for creating the media is in Macrium.

 

Ah right. Thanks for the pointer. I presume Macrium is good or do you know if EaseUs to do is better?

 

Most imaging programs are good these days but I have used Macrium for years and have complete faith in it. It is also the favoured imaging tool among the experts on the Win 10 forums so lots of help available if needed.

 

That's great. Thanks very much for your help Earthling. May your stars align!

 

You are very welcome. So many users just trust to luck but I always try to encourage those who would rather not gamble