Overview

Windows provides several ways to capture or back up a system—each built for a different purpose.
Here’s how DISM, SDCLT, and Disk2VHD compare.

1. DISM (/capture-image) — Deployment or Forensic Imaging

Purpose: Create a WIM (Windows Imaging Format) file by capturing a partition at the file level.

Characteristics

Property Description
Granularity File-based; copies files, ACLs, reparse points, and optional /ea metadata
Output format .wim (compressed, mountable)
Compression Fast, Max, or Recovery (/compress:max)
Bootability Not bootable; restore with dism /apply-image and bcdboot
Flexibility Can capture or restore any partition; editable via dism /mount-wim
Restoration Requires manual apply and boot setup

When to Use

  • Creating deployable Windows images
  • Capturing clean system states for redeployment
  • Forensic or archival captures needing compression

Limitations

  • Manual restore steps
  • Doesn’t copy MBR or partition table
  • Must capture EFI or Recovery partitions separately

2. SDCLT (Windows Backup) — Legacy System Imaging

Purpose: Make a block-level system image for bare-metal restore.
(sdclt.exe /BLBBACKUPWIZARD launches the GUI.)

Characteristics

Property Description
Granularity Sector-level clone
Output format .vhd files in “WindowsImageBackup” folder
Bootability Yes; restores via Windows Recovery
Ease of use Point-and-click
Status Deprecated since Windows 10 1803

When to Use

  • Full system restore on the same hardware
  • Simple, non-technical recovery workflow

Limitations

  • Deprecated and potentially removed in future builds
  • Large, minimally compressed output
  • Less flexible for deployment or editing

3. Disk2VHD — Virtualization-Ready Clones

Purpose: Clone a live system into a bootable VHD/VHDX for Hyper-V or other virtualization.

Characteristics

Property Description
Granularity Sector-level (via Volume Shadow Copy)
Output format .vhd or .vhdx
Bootability Bootable as a virtual machine
Compression None
Use case Physical-to-Virtual (P2V) migration

When to Use

  • Virtualizing your physical PC
  • Testing or sandboxing your current install

Limitations

  • Large files, no compression
  • Not suited for compact backups

Comparison Summary

Feature DISM SDCLT Disk2VHD
Capture Type File-level Block-level Block-level
Output .wim .vhd .vhd/.vhdx
Compression Yes Minimal None
Bootable No Yes Yes (VM)
Restore Ease Manual Automatic VM-only
Portability High Medium Medium
Ideal Use Deployment / Imaging Disaster Recovery Virtualization Clone

Choosing the Right Tool

Goal Recommended Tool
Compact, redeployable system image DISM /capture-image
Full, restorable backup SDCLT (or modern alternative like Macrium Reflect)
Virtual machine clone Disk2VHD

See Also

Prepared October 6, 2025