Windows 7 Create System Image USB Not a Valid Backup Location

Do you want to create a system Image using the Windows 7 Backup Restore feature? Is it giving Image USB Not a Valid Backup Location when using a USB drive? Then follow this post to resolve the problem.

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Updated byDaisyon Feb 22, 2023
Written byLarissa

Are you facing the errorWindows 7 create system image USB not valid backup locationduring backup of essential files to a USB drive or choose USB drive for backup images? If yes, it's a problem that disallowscreating the system image on the USB drive. Here in this post, we will know the causes behind the issue and possible fixes. Make sure to follow the article until the end of the post.

windows 7 create system image usb not a valid backup location

Why Windows 7 Creates System Image Not a Valid Backup Location

If you are facing the issue, the cause may differ! There are a few causes why this happens:

  • Not enough free space to create thesystem image.
  • Due to the default limitation of Windows, users can't backup system drive images to a USB flash drive while backing up files and other data to it is supported.

Let's understand how to fix this issue in the next part of this post.

How to Fix Windows 7 Create System Image Not a Valid Backup Location

We have already discussed several possible reasons behind the issue. But what are the solutions to this issue? No need to worry; here, we will share the best solutions to resolve it professionally.

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Use Professional Backup Software -Hot On the main page, find and click "Tools", choose "system clone"...Full steps
Fix 2. Back Up Windows 7 to a Larger USB You can quickly fix Windows 7 and create a system image USB...Full steps
Fix 3. Create A Directory on The USB Drive Format the USB flash drive with NTFS, share the USB drive....Full steps

[1] Use Professional Backup Software

Any top-rated professionalWindows backup softwarecan create the system image on USB. Here we recommend using the top-ratedEase US Todo Backuptool to create system images on USB. It's always advised to download this tool only from its official website for safety purposes.

缓解我们做备份是欧宝体育官网入口首页先进的和最高的国家之一-rated one-click backup and instant recovery tools. This highly efficient tool has fantastic features like performingdisk imagingand saving backups in a safe condition. It is also a cloud backup software that comes with several key features:

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Key Features

  • A secured password protects backups: This feature encrypts all backup files and doubles the protection. It allows users to add passwords to protect the backup file from leaking and keep it confidential.
  • Multipath backup storage: This software allows users to choose multipath backup storage. You can choose an external hard drive, network drive, or cloud drive to store the backup files.
  • Basic backup scheduling: You can easily set upschedule backuplike daily, weekly, and monthly as needed to save time for daily processes.
  • Disk and Partition clone:它可以创建一个相同的新硬盘your original disk, which is always suitable for replacing old or small drives without losing data.
  • Restore system to Dissimilar Hardware: It can quickly restore system backup images from one PC to another without installing hardware or restoring from a physical to a virtual machine.

Advantages

  • User-friendly and reliable
  • The interface is simple and easy to access
  • Value for money
  • One-click solution with incredible processing speed

With EaseUS Todo Backup, you can create a system image on a USB without any issues:

Preparation:

  1. 1. Check how much disk space is used for the system C drive. Then prepare a qualified USB drive which is larger than the used space.
  2. 2. Make sure you use an empty USB, because the system clone will overwrite the USB data completely.
  3. 3. Connect the USB drive to your machine and make sure it can be detected.

Follow the overall process to create a portable Windows USB drive and boot from it:

Step 1.On the main page, find and click "Tools", choose "system clone".

system clone step1

Step 2.The boot and system partition will be selected automatically, you just need to choose the target disk and click "Next."

system clone step1

*System clone does not support cloning MBR disk to GPT or vice versa. Make sure that the partition style of the source disk and the target disk are the same.

system clone step3

Step 3.Click "Advanced Options", and choose "Create a portable Windows USB drive".

Optimize for SSD

Step 4.Click "Proceed". EaseUS Todo Backup will start to create portable USB.

clone system step4

Step 5.How to boot from the portable USB drive.

  • Connect your portable USB to the computer
  • Restart the computer and press "Del/F2/F12/F10" to enter BIOS
  • Set the PC to boot from the portable USB by changing the boot order in BIOS under the "Boot" tab
  • Save changes and you'll see your system booting up from the USB drive

[2] Back Up Windows 7 to a Larger USB

You can quickly fix Windows 7 and create a system image USB, not a valid backup location issue, by backing up Windows 7 to a larger USB. Usually, Windows denies backing up the system to a USB flash drive due to the limited USB storage. You can resolve this issue by purchasing a larger storage USB flash drive.

It has been confirmed that the USB drive consists of 64 GB of free space and can be identified as the backup destination by Windows Backup and Restore utility. As we know, a 64 GB-sized USB flash drive doesn’t have exact 64 GB free space. So, purchasing a USB drive of 128GB in size is always recommended for backup purposes.

[3] Create A Directory on The USB Drive

You can efficiently resolve the issue by creating a directory on the USB drive. Here are the suggested steps for the method:

Step 1:Format the USB flash drivewith NTFS.

format usb drive in ntfs format

Step 2:Now, share the USB drive as a network drive and create a directory on your USB drive. Right-click the directory to open the menu. Then choose Share with > Specific people. Here you need to choose yourself from the list of users. Once done, click Share and complete it.

permission for folder

Step 3:The following method is to set up the Advanced Share Allow Permissions to get complete control. Start Windows Backup and select system Image; now select the network drive as your backup location.

Step 4:Browse to your PC and select the USB share. Now enter your PC's login details; click OK if there is any password.

After following these steps, you will not see the Windows 7 create system image USB not a valid backup location issue anymore.

Wrapping Up

如果你还在这篇文章后,你必须知道w how to resolve Windows 7 by creating a system image USB, not a valid backup location. Try our solutions to understand which is easy and quick to process. If you want to use a third-party tool to create the system image on USB, then we recommend usingEaseUS Todo Backup. Make sure to download this tool only for security purposes.

Free Download

Support Windows 11/10/8/7

FAQs

Here we are answering frequently asked questions that might help you clear your doubts about Windows 7 creating a system image USB, not a valid backup location.

1. Why is my USB stick not a valid backup location?

When it comes to USB sticks not being a valid backup location error, it might be because of the less-sized USB flash drive or due to the default limitation of Windows users can't backup system drive image to a USB flash drive while backing up files and other data which it supported.

2. Why can't I create a system image on a USB?

The system image has its criteria for the storage device. When Windows creates a system image, it checks for a USB drive with the NTFS formatting and storage of at least 128 GB. If these two conditions are not fulfilled, you can't create a system image on a USB.

3. How do I make a drive a valid backup location?

You can easily make a drive a valid backup location by creating a directory on the USB drive. For this, you must format the USB flash drive with NTFS and share the USB stick as a network drive with a specific person but make sure that the advanced share allows permissions are set to complete control.

Now start Windows backup and select the system image. Select the network drive as the backup location, browse your PC, select the USB share, and click ok.

4. How to create a system image for Windows 7 from USB?

Windows 7 allows you to create a system image using the built-in Backup option. To access this, go to Windows Settings > Update and Security, then click the Backup option. There is an option that says - Looking for an older backup - click Go to Backup and Restore.

Next, click on the System Image option and select the USB Drive under Hard Disk settings. Make sure to select the full backup. Once you are sure, click on the Next button, and then click on Start backup.

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Updated byDaisy

Daisy is the Senior editor of the writing team for EaseUS. She has been working in EaseUS for over ten years, starting from a technical writer to a team leader of the content group. As a professional author for over 10 years, she writes a lot to help people overcome their tech troubles.

Read full bio

Written byLarissa

Larissa has rich experience in writing technical articles. After joining EaseUS, she frantically learned about data recovery, disk partitioning, data backup, and other related knowledge. Now she is able to master the relevant content proficiently and write effective step-by-step guides on computer issues.

Read full bio

Product Reviews

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  • Taking everything into consideration, we can say that EaseUS Todo Backup Home can offer you a little extra sense of security with a set of advanced tools. The interface provides quick adaptation, every process guiding you all the way through so you don't get stuck or further damage your system rather than keeping it safe.

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  • EaseUS Todo Backup Free lets you create backups of your important files or your entire computer through its streamlined interface. Just choose the backup type you'd like to get started, and let the program do the reset.

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  • EaseUS includes all the features I expect from backup software like versioning, incremental backups, and scheduling. For more advanced users, EaseUS allows you to install a pre-boot environment onto your hard drive so you can use it to restore files without burning a CD or putting it on an external USB drive.

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