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
    2015-11-05T17:48:47+00:00

    Thanks

    There is no doubt that the computer will not read the Network system image directly.

    I have two computers both connected to the same Wifi/router.

    So the real question is:

    Could I somehow plug the network-system-image in one computer and have the other computer read it and use it?  I do not understand the network connection process.

    Or was the network option simply bad advise.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-05T18:41:31+00:00

    I tried about anything but didn't succeed in connecting to the image. Not when plugged into the pc I was wanting to recover neither when plugged in the other pc on the dame network.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-11-24T14:49:26+00:00

    THANKS! 

    Are you Santa Claus or what?

    This solution worked for me.

    I use Win7 pro 64 bit.

    It may be written somewhere that "not-pro" does not have network backup functions available.... just sayin in case this solution does not work for other users.

    I was rackin my brain before this.  Windows Backup recognized and worked perfectly using a Western Digital External Hard Drive via USB.  But that clunkly & heavy 1TB drive is not convenient to haul around while traveling with my Notebook pc.    I am going out to purchase a tiny 65GB USB stick now to carry in case of emergency on the road.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-12-20T05:25:22+00:00

    I have a 128 GB USB 3.0  Reformatted to NTFS.  Windows states that "USB is not a valid location".  

    If I purchase on line and want a backup, a USB is provided.  Why is it that we can't use a USB as a backup?  Am I missing something?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-12-20T22:59:25+00:00

    Yes, I have used a USB Hard drive for my system image  and it Windows recognizes the file as a system image.  I have not had to use for my Windows 10 computer but have used the system image for my Windows 7 computer sucessfully about three times.

    But, getting the system image on a USB stick seems to be impossible.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments