Developer Hack

This article needs more work!

It seems the latest version of Windows 10 and its update does not like multiple copies of Windows 10 running on the same computer.

When restoring a Windows 10 NEW image to C:\ and fixing boot to have only 1 Boot entry in Macrium Reflect only, saving to our Plextor M.2 disk. Computer works fine.

Attempt 3:20pm, to create Windows 10 2nd installation on D:

1. On Windows 10, C:\ , I clone the same image to D:\ using drag and drop in Macrium Reflect 7.1. (12 mins)
2. Using EasyBCD 2.3, I add D:\ into the boot menu.
3. Restart my computer and heading into C:\ works fine.
4. Restart my computer and heading into D:\ also works fine!

Conclusion: Seems like cloning the 2nd Windows needs to happen from the first copy of Windows, and the EasyBCD work should also be done right after, on that Windows, to work.

Therefore, the first DISK C:\ can be done from Macrium Reflect Rescue Disk, then fix the windows boot from Rescue Disk as well. After that, boot into the first C:\ Windows, and create the 2nd Windows installation using Steps 1-4 above.

Tip: Create a folder on C:\ with a unique name like, “I_AM_C”. So that when booting into the cloned 2nd Windows, you can differentiate the folders from File Explorer.

Other historical info…

Attempt 3:44pm, to restore OLD Music Windows on D:

1. Deleting the partition from Windows > Computer Management > Disk Management > Delete Volume.
2. Restoring cloned D:\ old image to D:\.
3. Restarting the computer and booting into C:\ works
4. Now running EasyBCD, we see 2nd entry is missing, so we added 2nd entry and restarted the computer.
5. Booting into C:\ works!
6. Now restarting and booting into D:\. The old image fails to start, so we try to boot into Windows Bootable USB.
7. Now from Troubleshoot > Command Prompt , we check the correct drive and folders, and run, “robocopy e:\windows f:\windows /MIR” where e: is the working Windows and f: is the old unbootable Windows. (started at 3:55pm ended 4:04pm)
8. Once done, we use F12 > Windows Boot Manager to boot into C:\ windows which works!
9. Now running EasyBCD, we remove the 2nd Windows entry and add it again. Then double check by running msconfig > boot.
10. Restarting the computer and loading C:\ again works!
11. Now restarting and loading D:\ fails and gets stuck in loop during windows loading.. black screen and working lights.
12. Force shutdown and attempt to start C:\ Windows again – works!
13. Boot C:\ windows and repeat steps 9-10. C:\ works!
14. Now restart computer and trying windows D:\ – and still in infinite loop, this time showing the cursor. Hitting the shutdown button on desktop hardware, starts the shutdown.
15. Boot C:\ windows and repeat steps 9-10. C:\ works!
16. Now restart computer and trying windows D:\ – and still in infinite loop, this time showing the cursor. Hitting the shutdown button on desktop hardware, starts the shutdown.
17. Giving up.. Gonna use new Windows Image and re-install from there 4:20pm

So attempt, to clone C:\ Windows image to D:\ at 4:21pm:

1. Head to Computer Management > Disk Management > D:\ > Delete Volume
2. Using Macrium Reflect, I load the backup image of C:\ (create one if you haven’t), and select Restore this partition.
3. Drag and dropped the partition into Target D:\ area on the UI.