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create windows system image backup to usb sticks-issues

Anonymous
2025-04-27T13:05:18+00:00

Hello.I have two san disk usb sticks :1)Ultra luxe 256 GB (i think is usb 3.2 or 3.1, i am not sure) and extreme pro 256 GB gen 3.1

1)First of all for create a system image backup with builtin capability the format should be NTFS?Because appears the message to both of them that is not possible to create backup as are not NTFS(Both of them are exfat)

2)I format to NTFS both of them, but for ultra luxe appears the message that is not ''valid backup location for image backup".For extreme pro i have no problem.Any idea why ''am I allowed'' to create a backup copy to to one stick and not in the other?

3)I have purchase my laptop (ASUS ROG G731GV) at 2020's summer.It has an internal ssd 500 GB(My c drive location ,for all installed apps and OS) and an internal classic hdd.After a year i create a windows system image backup.They were pre-checked the main C drive and the related departments with the restoration files(3 boxes total).I do not ''include'' with checking box the classic hdd.The folder which was created was 28 GB.And now after 3 years the new image backup is 229 GB!!!!!Why?????It is eight times the first windows image backup

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Recovery and backup

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-27T15:16:13+00:00

    Hello! I am glad to help you with your questions regarding creating a Windows system image backup to USB sticks. Let's address each of your concerns step by step:

    1. File System Requirement for System Image Backup

    Yes, you're correct that Windows requires the target drive for a system image backup to be formatted as NTFS.

    Solution: Format both USB sticks to NTFS if you haven't already. You mentioned you did this, so that's good. However, note that formatting will erase all data on the drives, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

    • To format: Right-click the USB drive in File Explorer, select "Format," choose "NTFS" as the file system, and click "Start."
    1. "Not a Valid Backup Location" Error on Ultra Luxe USB Stick

    The error message "not a valid backup location for image backup" on your SanDisk Ultra Luxe USB stick (but not on the Extreme Pro) could be due to several reasons. Even though both are formatted as NTFS, here are some potential causes and troubleshooting steps:

    Solutions:

    -Open "Disk Management" (right-click the Start button, select "Disk Management"), locate your Ultra Luxe USB drive, and ensure it’s initialized and has a primary partition. If it shows as "unallocated," right-click and select "Initialize Disk," then create a new simple volume.

    -Test the Ultra Luxe on another computer to see if the issue persists. If it does, consider using it for other purposes and stick with the Extreme Pro for backups.

    Solution: In Disk Management, right-click the drive and assign a drive letter if it’s missing. Also, ensure you have full control permissions by right-clicking the drive in File Explorer, selecting "Properties," going to the "Security" tab, and verifying your user account has full access.

    1. System Image Size Increase (28 GB to 229 GB)

    The significant increase in the size of your system image backup (from 28 GB to 229 GB over three years) can be attributed to several factors.

    • Increased Data on C: Drive
      • Installed applications and updates.
      • Windows updates (Windows 10/11 can grow substantially due to cumulative updates and system files).
      • User files (Documents, Downloads, Desktop, etc.) if they are stored on the C: drive.
      • Temporary files, system restore points, and hibernation files (if enabled).
      Solution: Check the current used space on your C: drive. Right-click the C: drive in File Explorer, select "Properties," and see how much space is used. The system image size will roughly correspond to the used space (plus some overhead for system files). You can reduce the size by cleaning up unnecessary files using "Disk Cleanup" (search for it in the Start menu) or by moving personal files to your HDD.
    • Given that your C: drive is 500 GB, a 229 GB system image suggests that nearly half of your SSD’s capacity is in use, which is plausible after three years of updates and data accumulation. To confirm, check the used space on C: as mentioned earlier. If the size still seems excessive, ensure no other drives or partitions are included in the backup.

    Please let me know if these solutions work otherwise, I would be happy to assist further.

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