usb flash drive not a valid backup location for system image

Anonymous
2013-08-14T13:07:06+00:00

OK, Microsoft continuing to confuse me and others it would seem.

Tried to make system image to USB flash drive in Windows 8 and Yes it would not work. It States " the drive is not a valid backup location ".

Yes its formatted to NTFS. and I have read various sites where it gives instructions how and ive read sites and Microsoft who seem to have conflicting statements.

Please can someone HELP all I want to do is go to windows 7 file recovery in windows 8 - press make system image - select usb drive and sit back.

Windows for home | Other | Recovery and backup

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-04-06T21:59:38+00:00

    Chuckles.. yeah I understand your point... it can be a bit daunting for the novice.. On that note I feel I should be compensated from MS for the time I spent with trial and error on this issue... trying multiple source/target media IDE/SATA/eSATA/SSD/NTSF/FAT32/FAT64/NSA/CIA/SESAMESTREET  blah blah blah... then almost raised the white flag... but was bound and determined... 

    FYI for others..

    System Recovery Disk= Creates backup of system files/drivers on MEDIA for clean install ( i.e no MyDocuments-Pictures,Music,Video or programs backup)

    System Recovery Image= Creates a snapshot(image) of Complete HDD state...

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-04-05T19:57:37+00:00

    In Windows 10, use the "Create a Recovery Drive" function. This will allow you to use a USB drive as a valid backup media device. See article for more detail >>>> http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows\_10-win\_upgrade/how-to-create-a-recovery-drive-for-reinstalling/58df9c7d-84de-4652-9952-8bac34abc6c5

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-22T18:59:32+00:00

    Ain't about luck.  It's good directions that solved the problem.  Thank you.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-01-14T12:42:06+00:00

    I am on Windows 10.

    Typing what you say into the search box takes me to other options in my browser, but the one to create a USB windows 10 recovery drive includes the following warning:

    Warning

    • Creating a recovery drive will erase anything already stored on your USB flash drive. Use an empty USB flash drive or make sure to transfer any important data from your USB flash drive to another storage device before using it to create a USB recovery drive.

    I already have a 'copied' backup of my 8.1 recovery drive on my 500GB flash drive. So, will this be overwritten, and does the flash drive have to be dedicated to this one function only?

    The other links in the browser do not give me an option to 'create a recovery drive' ... Nothing is simple it would appear. My browser just opens a million other options all of which seem to take me in a loop, but none back to asking me to select a drive.?

    Is this correct or have I once again come unstuck trying to follow 'simple' instructions?

    I am signed into my MS account when doing my search.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-05-30T17:00:09+00:00

    I also ran into this with the Window 8 System Image utility and the Windows 7 System Image utility.  Here is what I THINK it is.  Windows (7&8) creates a System Image in what is known as the "Raw Mode".  This means it also backs up the empty space on the drive.  If this is the case; then there is an modification that needs to be made.

    There are 3rd party programs out there (i.e. DriveImage XML FREE) that offer creation of a system image backing up only the used space on the drive.  Specifically - for DriveImage XML - not selecting "Raw Mode" will accomplish this.  

    Problem with this is you have to use DriveImage XML to restore your system using the image it created because Windows will not recognize the .xml file as a valid image.  And of course - you cannot restore your C: drive with your backup image if you are running DriveImage on your C: drive.  Dilemma!!!

    Resolution to the above dilemma - Create a boot drive / CD that has DriveImage XML residing on it as a plugin. **You need to have the Windows Installation CD (XP, 7, or 8) in order to do this.  The link below will take you to a tutorial showing you how to do this

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0reKK2ASEaU

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