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
    2016-04-05T23:55:55+00:00

    Hello AaronSiders:

    Thanks for the suggestion, but yours and other posts in this thread are missing the point.

    The thread title is about a trying to create a System Image NOT a Recovery Drive on a USB Drive. A Recovery Drive can be put onto USB Media. That is not the problem we are trying to address.

    Another problem I see is people recommending the use of a work around proposed by someone early in the thread and repeated by others. But someone also posted that an Image created using that method cannot be restored. If you need to restore the image and it will not restore, it is false security.

    I am not trying to criticize anyone who has posted - I appreciate people trying to help. But I've been following the thread when notified about a new post and it's frustrating to see non-related solutions and non workable solutions repeated.

    This is a moderately long thread to date, but it's important to read from the beginning to understand the problem.

    I truly believe that this is a Microsoft issue and that they must decide to update the application. If you are part of the Microsoft insider program, please suggest this to them.

    dr bug

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-04-06T02:11:48+00:00

    My solution didn't work for you? How so...

    Yes, I share your frustration with MS.. they really should update the program... ;-)

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-04-06T15:12:15+00:00

    Hello XMT2RCV:

    I don't doubt that your workaround will be successful. However for a less experienced user, the process is complex and somewhat cumbersome. A lot of people are not familiar with the command line either.

    I was referring more specifically to a suggestion to simply use the suggested "share" technique and believe that it will restore properly (without your work around). That is a problem.

    Maybe Microsoft will get an update into the upcoming  Redstone 1 (Anniversary) update of Windows 10...

    dr bug

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  4. 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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  5. Anonymous
    2016-04-06T22:51:01+00:00

    Hey XMT2RCV:

    Thanks for the time you spent trying to help with this.

    And good of you to explain the two processes to help clarify the issue.

    dr bug

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