Creating a TBWinPE/RE Image Restore Disc

This article details the process of creating a TBWinPE/RE disc that also contains the backup image to restore. The restore can be configured to be a fully automatic operation if desired (assuming the backup image fits on one disc). This type of boot media may also be referred to as a bootable restore disc, a bootable restore disk, or bootable restore media.

Be aware of the following before you begin:

If the TBWinPE/RE restore disc is configured to be completely automatic (unattended, no overwrite prompt, etc.) proper care should be taken since accidentally booting the disc could cause data loss.
Use the current version of TBWinPE or TBWinRE (TBWinPE/RE Builder v1.15 or later build files). Older versions will not properly support this type of build.
Click here to download the current TBWinPE files
Click here to download the current TBWinRE files
If creating a TBWinRE build, it's recommended to create it in a separate folder (preferably a normal user folder) instead of using the installed location. This allows easier access to the build folders (avoiding permission issues) and also won't require copying the large image files into the installed location.
Decide what optical media you'll be using (CD/DVD/BD). This is necessary so you know if you need to split the backup image when you create it. For example, if you will be saving to DVD media you may want to split the image files at 2GB. This will allow space for the TBWinPE/RE files and the first image split on the first disc. Subsequent discs would contain two image splits (4GB). Note that in most cases, if possible, it's recommended to use media that allows the entire backup to fit on one disc. You may wish to use rewritable media while testing and tweaking the build and options.
Create the backup image using the appropriate maximum file size to obtain the desired splits. If you need to split an existing backup image please refer to the applicable note at the end of this article. You can use a small image (to save burning time) while creating your first restore disc and testing/tweaking it. Additionally, you may wish to configure IFW to do an automatic validate (/v) instead of a restore until you are ready to test the restore operation.
There are multiple methods available to have the build run an automatic IFW operation upon booting (TBLauncher's IFW mode, RunScript, autorun.cmd, etc.). These instructions use TBLauncher's IFW mode.
These instructions create a TBWinRE restore disc. The same steps would be used if making a TBWinPE restore disc. It is assumed you are familiar with the general procedure of creating the TBWinPE/RE boot media. If not, please refer to the appropriate tutorial before proceeding:
Creating the TBWinRE boot media
Creating the TBWinPE boot media

Instructions:

Unzip or copy the TBWinRE files into the folder you'll use for the build. D:\TBWinRE will be used in these instructions.
Run TBWinPE/RE Builder.
Click Next on the Welcome screen and then click the Settings button.
Click the TBLauncher tab.
In the Mode section, select the IFW - Image for Windows will be run with specified parameters option.
Enter the IFW restore parameters in the Parameters box. These will vary depending on the specific restore scenario you're configuring. The example shown here will restore the \Backup\Win10 image to Disk 0, prompting the user to overwrite existing partitions.
/r /d:w0 /f:"%TBDrive%\Backup\Win10"
In the Startup section, enable the Search for TBWinRE/PE boot media drive after booting option. This is required to enable using the %TBDrive% environment variable after booting, allowing access to the backup image in the IFW parameters.
Other settings can be configured a desired for the build or left at defaults.
Click OK to close Settings.
Continue through the build steps until it has finished. At the last step, you can exit Builder or you can leave it open -- don't click the Finish button to run MakeDisk (if you do run MakeDisk at this point, just close it).
Copy the backup image files into the ISO folder of the build. These files will either be the entire backup image (assuming it fits) or the files for the first split. Using Windows File Explorer, browse to the build's ISO folder (D:\TBWinRE\ISO). You can copy the files directly into the ISO folder or you can create a sub-folder for them (e.g. D:\TBWinRE\ISO\Backup). Make sure whatever path you use is the same as what you specified in the IFW parameters in Step 6 (files in the ISO folder will be in the root folder of the disc).
Once the image files are copied, run MakeDisk. If Builder is still running you can click the Finish button to launch it. Otherwise, run MakeDisk (makedisk.exe) in the build's folder.
Use MakeDisk to create the CD/DVD/BD media.
If the backup image doesn't fit on the one disc you will also need to burn the remaining image files to additional discs. Important: You must use the same path to the image files on all discs. If you use the \Backup folder for first split on the TBWinRE disc you will need to use \Backup on all other discs. If you put the image files in the root folder on the TBWinRE disc then you will need to use the root folder for the other discs.

Notes:

Having IFW automatically restart (e.g. /rb:4) after the restore is not recommended since the system will likely boot back to the disc and begin the restore process again.
When browsing in IFW for the backup image on the disc (e.g. when doing a manual restore) it's necessary to access the drive through the Windows Drives devices instead of the CD/DVD devices, otherwise the disc will be shown empty. To do this, select any drive in the Windows Drives section and then click Next. On the next page you can select the optical drive using the drop-down control in the upper-right of the window.
You can split an existing backup image using one of the following methods:
- Use the Consolidate Backup option in any of the TeraByte imaging programs. You'll select the existing image, the location and name of the new split image, and the desired split size (File Size setting in Backup Options step).
- Use the TBOSDT copy /tm option. To do this you'll need to run TBOSDT and then run the copy command and specify the /tm parameter. After splitting the file it is recommended to validate it using one of the TeraByte imaging programs to verify it can be read properly.
  
  Examples splitting an image file into 2GiB files (if path or filename contain spaces make sure to surround in quotes):
  
  copy sourcebackup.tbi splitbackup.tbi /tm=2147483648
  
  copy "d:\backups\source backup.tbi" "f:\new backup\split backup.tbi" /tm=2147483648

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