Restore Windows Backup to Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide
Recovering Files from Windows Backups on a Mac
If you require access to files contained within a Windows backup while using a Mac, it's important to understand that macOS can natively read Windows-formatted drives.
However, Apple's Time Machine utility is specifically designed for macOS backups and cannot be utilized to restore files from a Windows-based backup.
Understanding Windows Backup Types
Retrieving files from a Windows backup on a Mac necessitates a manual extraction process, which may require some effort.
This guide will detail how to access three distinct types of Windows backups:
- File History Backups: Created using Windows 10 or Windows 8.
- Windows Backups: Generated with Windows 7.
- System Image Backups: Compatible with both Windows 7 and later versions.
Accessing File History Backups
Windows 10 and 8 utilize File History as a backup solution.
To access these backups on your Mac, connect the external drive containing the File History backup and navigate to it using Finder.
You will find folders organized by date and time, allowing you to browse and copy the specific files you need.
Recovering Files from Windows Backups (Windows 7)
Backups created with the Windows 7 backup utility are structured differently.
Connect the drive containing the Windows 7 backup to your Mac and open it in Finder.
Locate the folder named "WindowsImageBackup" and then navigate to the folder corresponding to the date of your backup.
Within this folder, you'll find another folder containing the actual backup files.
Restoring from System Image Backups
System Image Backups, created by either Windows 7 or later versions, present a slightly different approach.
Connect the backup drive to your Mac and open it in Finder.
Similar to Windows 7 backups, look for a folder named "WindowsImageBackup" and then the folder representing the backup date.
The files within this folder can then be manually copied to your Mac.
Remember that directly opening the image file (.vhd or .vhdx) on a Mac is not typically supported without additional software.
Recovering Files from Windows 10 and 8 File History
Related: An Explanation of 8 Backup Tools for Windows 7 and 8
Should a File History backup be present, a "FileHistory" folder will be visible on the external drive when connected to your Mac. Simply connect the external storage device, launch a Finder window, and examine its contents.
Direct browsing of this folder allows for the extraction of your files. They are organized within the following directory structure:
FileHistory/USERNAME/COMPUTERNAME/Data/As an illustration, to retrieve files previously located in your Documents folder, navigate to
FileHistory/USERNAME/COMPUTERNAME/Data/C/Users/USERNAME/Documentswithin Finder.
While this process might initially appear complex, it is, in fact, quite straightforward. The folder structure is generally uncluttered, facilitating easy navigation.
You can easily locate the desired files within the FileHistory folder and restore them to your Mac by simply exploring its contents.
Recovering Files from a Windows 7 Backup on macOS
Related: A Guide to Installing Windows via Boot Camp on a Mac
Caution: Restoring a Windows 7 backup using this method is generally not advised. The original directory structure will not be maintained, potentially leading to difficulties in locating your files. While feasible for restoring a limited number of files, it can be extremely time-consuming for larger backups. If a Windows 7, 8, or 10 computer is available, utilizing it offers a significantly more efficient solution.
With a Windows PC, you can restore the files from the backup and subsequently transfer them to a USB drive for access on your Mac. Consideration should also be given to installing Windows 7, 8, or 10 within Boot Camp for a streamlined experience.
However, if only a Mac running OS X is accessible, connect the backup drive to your Mac and open it using Finder. A folder corresponding to the computer's name on which the backup was created will be visible.
Within this folder, you will find at least one "Backup Set" folder, a "Catalogs" folder, and a file named "MediaID.bin".
Locating Your Files Within the Backup
The Backup Set folders contain the actual file data. Select the folder corresponding to the desired restoration date – typically, the most recent backup. Inside this selected folder, locate the "Backup files" directory.
This "Backup files" directory houses multiple ".zip" files labeled "Backup files".
The Windows 7 Backup utility stores your files within these .zip archives. It's important to understand that each "Backup files" folder represents an incremental backup.
The initial folder contains a complete backup, while subsequent folders only include files that are new or have undergone modifications.
For easier access, it may be beneficial to copy the "Backup files" .zip files to your Mac's desktop or another convenient location. Then, double-click each .zip file to extract its contents.
Be aware that the extracted files may not retain their original folder organization. Instead, they will be named according to their parent folder. Despite this, diligent searching should allow you to locate the necessary files.
Recovering Files from Windows System Image Backups
When a system image backup exists on a storage device, a "WindowsImageBackup" folder and a "MediaID.bin" file are typically present.
Restoring specific files from a backup on Windows requires a manual process, as direct file-level restoration isn't natively supported. The data is contained within Microsoft VHDX virtual hard disk image files, which are not readily accessible by macOS.
To enable access to these files, the Paragon virtual disk mounter application should be installed. Known as "Paragon VMDK Mounter," this application supports various disk image file types beyond just VMDK. Registration requires an email address, but the software itself is provided at no cost.
Following installation, the mounted disk image becomes browsable, allowing for the extraction of desired files.
Launch Paragon VMDK Mounter and navigate to the VMDK file located at
WindowsImageBackup/COMPUTERNAME/Backup [date]/[something].vhdx. Alternatively, a double-click on the .vhdx file within Finder will initiate the mounting process.
Multiple VHDX files may be encountered, each representing a distinct hard disk partition. Selecting the largest partition is generally recommended, as it usually corresponds to the system drive.
If the .vhdx file resides on an external drive formatted with NTFS, it must first be copied to your Mac or another drive utilizing a different file system. macOS lacks native write support for NTFS, which can cause errors during image mounting with Paragon’s tool.
Once mounted, the virtual disk will appear under "Devices" in the Finder sidebar. The contents can then be explored, and specific files can be extracted as needed.
User account directories are typically found at
Users/NAMEwithin the mounted image.
It is also possible to retrieve files from Windows Time Machine backups when necessary. However, utilizing the operating system’s official restoration tool and subsequently copying the files to a portable storage device is often a more streamlined approach for cross-platform transfer.