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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

105 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-08-15T05:01:08+00:00

    Hi,

    Windows 7 Backup and Restore did not allow USB flash drives to be used for System Image back up. Windows 7 File Recovery, in Windows 8, works the same way that Windows 7 Backup and Restore does. We recommend you to create the system Image in an external hard disk or a separate partition in the internal hard disk.

    Saving a System Image in a USB drive is not recommended. The size of the System Image could be bigger than the size of the USB drive and since the drive size is usually small, it tends to fill up quickly, especially when creating the System Images is scheduled to occur at a particular time.

    Please get back to us with the status of the issue.

    Was this answer helpful?

    40+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-15T17:18:08+00:00

    I appreciate your reply but I have 64gb flash drive and my system image is only approx. 16gb ,as I knew before getting that size flash drive.

    Is it possible to place the flash drive as part of home network and then proceed to backup to that location.

    Was this answer helpful?

    100+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-08-19T06:36:03+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for getting back to us.

    Please answer these questions:

    **1.**Does the issue occur for a particular USB drive?

    **2.**Do you receive any errors regarding the USB drive?

    Here’s what you can try:

    Method 1: Make sure that the drivers for the USB device is up-to-date and that there is no excessive activity on it.

    Method 2: You can refer to this link to learn how to create a System Image in a flash drive:

    How to create a system image to refresh your Windows 8 PChttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/2748351/en-us

    If you have any further questions regarding Windows operating systems, reach out to us on this forum.

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-08-24T08:08:59+00:00

    To answer :-

    1 - and 2 , I made system image to this usb drive using Macrium Reflect with no problems.

    Why can't Windows 8 .this new and latest offering from Microsoft handle it from within using there own system image creator. They try and discourage you from using 3rd party software but it seems that you just have to when there system does not work as well.

    The link you sent was for creating folder on C-drive and sending the image there or am I missing something.

    Regards

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2013-08-27T07:23:12+00:00

    Hi,

    Thanks for the updates.

    Have you successfully saved a System Image to the USB drive?

    In the link, these steps are mentioned. I have customized them for your issue.

    **a.**Create a folder in the USB drive named Refreshimage.

    **b.**Press Windows key + X on the desktop and select Command Prompt (Admin).

    **c.**Type recimg -CreateImage <USB drive>:\ Refreshimage and press Enter.

    Please get back to us with the status of the issue.

    Was this answer helpful?

    50+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments