Best way to backup an encrypted system drive?
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Hi there,
what is the best way to backup an encrypted system drive? Is a sector-by-sector backup going to restore fine? Or am I left with an unbootable drive like this is the case with Acronis normal procedure? Thanks, kind regards, Susanne
I highly recommend a sector-by-sector image. That being said, some programs say they are doing a sector image but they are trying to do it "intelligently" and are actually interpreting the underlying filesystem. A flat image is best. It will restore ok.
If you are using system encryption, then you have to do the image outside of the normal operating system. If it's booted into the Windows that uses the system encryption, then any imaging software is going to be reading the decrypted data.
What I find personally best is to use a live Linux distribution on a stick. Or, if that doesn't work for you, then there is CloneZilla, which you can also boot from.
A very good method for use with VeraCrypt is to buy a drive that is identical to the one in your computer, and then get USB device like a KingWin EZ-Clone that you can plug it into (with an m.2 adapter as required). That way you can image straight across from your computer to a drive that is literally a drop-in replacement for the drive in your computer.
I would still also have a normal backup drive with room to store a second complete image file on. This is useful if you ever run into issues with VeraCrypt. That way you can keep your normal backup "drive" as a last resort, and still have room to make an image of your primary drive before you attempt repairs.