Windows Backup using Paragon Capsule

[Ostap]

Hi Everyone

I'd like to share here some of my experience with Paragon software
Especially using the "Capsule"

Older versions of Paragon (i think up to v14) were offering to create a bootable disk (USB or CDROM)
Using which one could startup computer and backup the whole Windows partition to a separate disk

That bootable tool is in fact a PE type Windows (mostly used for installs ..and is a stripped down version of normal Windows)
It offers to create a Capsule - where you can store your backups right on your existing disks without giving Windows access to it
(thus no way of infecting it)
Beauty of having an internal Capsule is that restore operation will take just 50 seconds (on NVMe disk) ...or about 2-3 minutes on SSD

To start - you'll need the actual tool from Paragon - its already created boot disk with windows 8.1
(Win8.1 is new enough to see your NVMe disks)
Its an ISO file you can directly write to USB stick with Rufus software

Once done and you've got the bootable USB we can start:


Creation of backup Capsule

1. Before booting into the Paragon tool - prepare your disk
   You'll need to create some free space that will be used by the Capsule
   Here is an example from my home system:
   
   
   
   I've allocated about 75Gb for it right at the end of the disk
   (position is not of any importance - though Paragon suggests it to be last one)
   
   Here is how it should look:
   (disregard the sizes ...for this tutorial i'm using virtual win)
   
   
   
   But as the size indication - my windows 7 partition is 98GB large
   My Capsule is 75GB ....and at the moment holds about 5 backups
   
   for more modern windows :
   My Windows Server 2019 partition is 115Gb large
   Capsule is the same 75Gb ...and holds about 3 backups with plenty space for more
   
   
   Once you got some space reserved - we can proceed with the tool
   
2. Shut down your PC ..and enter into your BIOS
   You'll need to configure your computer to start from USB
   
3. Eventually boot from USB stick into Paragon tool
   You will see this menu:
   
   
   
4. First you'll need to create new Capsule - click "Manage Backup Capsule"
   
   You'll get this:
   
   
   
   Leave the advanced mode unchecked most of the times you wont need any complications
   
   Click next -
   you'll see list of your disks:
   
   
   
   Select the correct one (in case you've more) and click next -
   you'll see this screen:
   
   
   
   Here you can manually fine tune the size of your Capsule
   When ready - click next
   
   There will be a second confirmation - select yes ...I'm sure
   
   
   
   Click Next - and there it goes:
   
   
   
   Once all is done - you should see this:
   
   
   
   Click "Finish" - we are done for this step.....after that you'll be back to the main screen

Making a Backup into the Capsule

Allrighty then !! Lets make the first backup !!! shall we ?
From the main screen select "Backup to Virtual Disk"
You'll get this:



bla bla - just click next



at this step - select partition you want to backup ...(the windows of coz
After selecting - once again - next button:



Here we go ...
Basically - you can backup to anywhere on your PC ...but we want to use the Capsule
Click on the yellow folder on the right



and select "Backup Capsule":



I would suggest to create a separate folder for each backup ...with a name you will understand
something like "Right after install" ...or "Current windows state" ...what ever...
On the top - you have again folder icon - click and create new folder.
Once created - select it and click OK (you'll be back to first screen):



Next...and there it goes!!!:



If backup were successful - you should get this:



Click finish ...and backup is done !!!
You'll be back to main screen


Restoring from the Capsule

After backup - lets try to restore !!
Select "Restore from Virtual Disk"
You'll get this:



Once again bla bla - click next:



Because there is a capsule - it will be offered as first source...
Open it and select backup you want to restore:



Click next after:



Since we're restoring whole partition - click "Restore disk or partition":



At this step - you can select to restore whole disk or just 1 partition (at the time)
We are interested in windows partition of coz "Local Disk"
Click next:



This is MOST IMPORTANT STEP !!
you'll have to select WHERE to restore it
If you have just 1 disk - its easy - just select the windows partition (local disk D
If you have many disks - TAKE YOUR TIME AND CAREFULLY SELECT CORRECT DISK AND CORRECT PARTITION
any mistake here - might cost you your data if you select incorrectly







Click next:



Paragon is good ...one intermediate step for you to review your selection
Click next when all is double checked and rechecked again:
After that restore will commence:



and if all is fine - you should get this:



All done...click Finish ...and basically you can return to your restored windows