Updates

Switching between File-Based (WIM) and Block-Based Imaging in Winclone 6

Winclone 6 can clone and restore in 2 different modes: file-based (WIM) and block-based. The differences are covered in the Knowledge Base article here. By default, Winclone 6 creates images using file-based imaging. If there are issues with the meta-data on a file (such as corrupt permissions, date, etc), Winclone may fail to complete the clone. Switching to block-based imaging may allow you to make a success clone since block-based imaging does not read individual files, but only filesystem blocks. Block-based imaging does not allow you to migrate between SSDs that have different blocks sizes, but if that is not a concern, switching to block-based imaging may resolve the issue.

To switch between WIM and block based imaging, open Preferences in Winclone 6 under the Winclone 6 menu, and select the checkbox as shown below:

When Winclone 6 restores an image, it automatically detects if the image was created in block-based or file-based (WIM) and this setting does not affect restore.

To tell if an image was created file-based versus block-based, do the following:

  1. In Winclone, select the image under Sources and under the Tools menu, select Reveal In Finder.
  2. In the Finder, control click on the image, and select Show Package Contents.

If you see a Windows.wim file in the image, it is a WIM (or file-based) image. If you see a boot.img.gz file then the image is block-based.