Thanks for your note Kristian! I do agree that this solution is less amenable that the previous strategy w.r.t. patching given that your spooler service is tied to your VM. However, I don't see why you have to do all the configuration twice for your backup VM. Once you've configured the first VM as desired you can use the base/golden vhdx to spin-off a second or multiple backup VMs (that way you do not have to reconfigure each VM).
Best,
Subhasish