W11, File History, System Image SNAFU

[ef37a]

Decided to back up the files on son's new W11 lappy onto a fresh 1TB USB drive. No problem and about 1/2hr later all was safely gathered in.
Next I decided to do an Image backup. "Drive not formatted NTFS". Bugger! But ok, rclicked on drive, change format to NTFS. I lose the 3.5G history but I can do that again. (?!)

Image went off spiffingly and at the end Msoft wanted to update. No problem, let it get on with it. 15 later I am back in File history but now it says "Cannot use this drive, select another drive" WTF?

Surely this does not mean that the ONLY thing I can have on this 1TB drive is that image?

Dave.

[Wonks]

I think so. One image per drive.

But you can partition the drive into two virtual discs , so if you've already got a C: drive, then say into E: and F:

Image on F:, useful stuff on E:

[ef37a]

I think so. One image per drive.

But you can partition the drive into two virtual discs , so if you've already got a C: drive, then say into E: and F:

Image on F:, useful stuff on E:

Oh! OK well thanks Wonks. Been a long time since I have partitioned a drive!
This is a small USB spinner so should not be hard? Do I need to remove the existing image or can I just partition the rest of the drive? Comes up as "D" so "e" for the next chunk?

I have just made a system repair disc. Very surprised that I could not put it on a USB stick? Even on W11 you have to use optical media and at a time when very few laptops actually have a CD drive.

Dave.

[ef37a]

Sorted: had to refresh brain re partitioning but did it quite easily. Went back to File History and selected "E" drive and, after a bit more finnagling, it has backed up the laptop's files.

Thanks Wonks, that makes the laptop about as recoverable as I think I can make it for my son.

Dave.

[S.Crow]

I have just made a system repair disc. Very surprised that I could not put it on a USB stick? Even on W11 you have to use optical media and at a time when very few laptops actually have a CD drive.

I thought one would use the MS Media Creation Tool to create bookable media to run system repairs and that can definitely use USB sticks.
That's the only thing that I have used for decades, so what are you using?

[ef37a]

I have just made a system repair disc. Very surprised that I could not put it on a USB stick? Even on W11 you have to use optical media and at a time when very few laptops actually have a CD drive.

I thought one would use the MS Media Creation Tool to create bookable media to run system repairs and that can definitely use USB sticks.
That's the only thing that I have used for decades, so what are you using?

Hi there, well I simply followed Windows instruction. After making a system image I was asked if I wanted to make a repair disc. "Yes, everything the traffic will bear please" but no option but optical media. I shall investigate the MS M C T but laptop is now with son in France. Can I make the tool for Win 11 on a Win 10 machine?

Dave.

[S.Crow]

I'm not sure if you can make W11 bootable media from W10.
I'm under the impression that a W11 install on a USB drive is all you need and that is created from an ISO that you download from MS
That suggests to me that it's doable but do check.