---
syntax: markdown
tags: [tldr, linux]
source: https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr.git
---
# e2image

> Save critical ext2/ext3/ext4 filesystem metadata to a file.
> More information: <https://manned.org/e2image>.

- Write metadata located on device to a specific file:

`e2image {{/dev/sdXN}} {{path/to/image_file}}`

- Print metadata located on device to `stdout`:

`e2image {{/dev/sdXN}} -`

- Restore the filesystem metadata back to the device:

`e2image -I {{/dev/sdXN}} {{path/to/image_file}}`

- Create a large [r]aw sparse file with metadata at proper offsets:

`e2image -r {{/dev/sdXN}} {{path/to/image_file}}`

- Create a [Q]COW2 image file instead of a normal or raw image file:

`e2image -Q {{/dev/sdXN}} {{path/to/image_file}}`
