usb flash drive not a valid backup location for system image

Try this:

• create a directory on your USB drive
• right-click the directory and choose "Share with", "Specific people"
• choose yourself from the list of users and click Share and Done
• in the "Create System Image" menu choose "On a network location"
• now enter the URL for your share (\your-computer\sharename)
• enter your username and password and click OK

Good luck.

/Claus

That was genius; although I am not sure that if I can use this backup when I need it.

/ V

Hi,

I have the same problem, (the drive is not a valid back-up location) It's not that i don't want to try all of these "solutions" (or not) , spending a whole evening. But why?

It always seems that when something doesn't work properly, microsoft is twisting and turning, to make you believe that you have to try this and that and if it does not work you can also try another solution and another, etc.

This is what i understand, i also  have macrium reflect. Even when you mess everything up, this programm still gives you a working image! on cd, dvd, usb, harddisk or even on a floppy disk!

I don't understand it, do i reallly have to use my old back-up programm, is microsoft really so negligent, do you really care? About YOUR name?

I'm very sorry, i'm saying this while i (still) have a positive attitude about microsoft, and that is becoming rare!

Honestly, i think you have a leading position and maybe then, you also earned it.

Why throw this away?

The internet and the world is full of crappy software, so i know that what MS offers, is not so bad at all!

Everytime i visit microsoft they will ask for feedback, everytime ill give it.

My opinion: Update the software so it works properly, Update it so even an elderly person , who does not know about computers, can use it. 

Simular problem, when i use IE11 the button for going back to previous page doesn't work properly,  i'll have to push it twice.

I already noticed that i'm not the only one having this problem. The solutions given to another poor soul, di'd not work! I also tried them!

So now it seems that they  say, it's because of specifik sites that block this button!

(Trying to blame someone/thing else)

I tried using IE11, i gave it a chance. I know that this problem didn't occur while i was using Google's browser, So it's really your problem!

I'm not looking for response, niether am i looking for all kinds of solutions, i'm just giving microsoft my feedback. Everytime they ask and everytime i visit one of your sites!

(because i'm having troubles with your software!)

Maybe this is not the right place to write this, but it seems that it's never the right place. so it doesn't matter.  I will hope!    ---- a small change wil ripple and change the world! ---

Do with it as you like, throw it in the bin or let it float between callcenters and other nice people who just try to help me, and don't have the power to really do something about it!

have a lovely day,

best regards

Merijn

Hi,

I have the same problem, (the drive is not a valid back-up location) It's not that i don't want to try all of these "solutions" (or not) , spending a whole evening. But why?

It always seems that when something doesn't work properly, microsoft is twisting and turning, to make you believe that you have to try this and that and if it does not work you can also try another solution and another, etc.

This is what i understand, i also  have macrium reflect. Even when you mess everything up, this programm still gives you a working image! on cd, dvd, usb, harddisk or even on a floppy disk!

I don't understand it, do i reallly have to use my old back-up programm, is microsoft really so negligent, do you really care? About YOUR name?

I'm very sorry, i'm saying this while i (still) have a positive attitude about microsoft, and that is becoming rare!

Honestly, i think you have a leading position and maybe then, you also earned it.

Why throw this away?

The internet and the world is full of crappy software, so i know that what MS offers, is not so bad at all!

Everytime i visit microsoft they will ask for feedback, everytime ill give it.

My opinion: Update the software so it works properly, Update it so even an elderly person , who does not know about computers, can use it. 

Simular problem, when i use IE11 the button for going back to previous page doesn't work properly,  i'll have to push it twice.

I already noticed that i'm not the only one having this problem. The solutions given to another poor soul, di'd not work! I also tried them!

So now it seems that they  say, it's because of specifik sites that block this button!

(Trying to blame someone/thing else)

I tried using IE11, i gave it a chance. I know that this problem didn't occur while i was using Google's browser, So it's really your problem!

I'm not looking for response, niether am i looking for all kinds of solutions, i'm just giving microsoft my feedback. Everytime they ask and everytime i visit one of your sites!

(because i'm having troubles with your software!)

Maybe this is not the right place to write this, but it seems that it's never the right place. so it doesn't matter.  I will hope!    ---- a small change wil ripple and change the world! ---

Do with it as you like, throw it in the bin or let it float between callcenters and other nice people who just try to help me, and don't have the power to really do something about it!

have a lovely day,

best regards

Merijn

The solution that worked for VNJNJ also worked for me...after many hours of searching for a solution. I agree with Merijn that Microsoft should have (and probably could have) fixed the problem of "the drive is not a valid back-up location" as soon as they became aware of it. I cannot comprehend why Windows 8 doesn't allow flash drives for backup. It's not like flash drives were just invented. There is no rationale that I can conceive of for this lack of response.

VNJNJ's solution will save a System image backup to a USB drive. However, if you plan to recover Windows 8.1 (maybe 8.0 too) from a Windows Recovery Drive USB drive it is all for not.

I am using a system with Windows 8.1 installed.  Please pay attention to my use of bold as Microsoft has used similar names for a number of items in the recovery space which may lead to confusion if one does not pay close attention while reading.

1. Insert both the Windows Recovery Drive USB drive and the USB drive with the System Image Backup.
2. Hold the "Shift" key while selecting Power --> Restart to bring up Advanced Boot Options

system shuts down and enters the Advanced Boot Options

3. Select "Use a device" --> "EFI USB Device" 

system shuts down and enters Advanced Boot Option from the WindowsRecovery DriveUSB drive .

4. Select your keyboard layout
5. Select "Troubleshoot" --> "Advanced options" --> "System Image Recovery" to bring up "System Recovery Image"
6. Select "Windows 8.1" (or 8.0) for Choose a target operating system.

A window will popup saying, "Windows cannot find a system image on this computer"

7. click "Cancel"
8. Select "Select a system image" and click "Next >"
9. click "Advanced…"
10. The only options are "Search for a system image on the network"* or "Install a driver"

You can try this yourself as it is non-destrutive if you cancel everything out ("Cancel", "Cancel", "Turn off Computer", remove "Window Recovery drive" (USB key)

*Your wifi driver might not be loaded nor might your wifi password will be entered.  I gave up on wifi and used ethernet.

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