Windows 7: Backup: System Images

I am trying to setup Windows 7 to backup to a 1TB external (Western Digital) drive, but I get the notification, "The selected backup location does not support the creation of system images." What is necessary in order to backup my system image along with my data? Thanks much!

Hi and welcome

What is the WD formated in ? NTFS?

Is it partitioned as a whole 1tb partition, or smaller?

Are the partitions Logical, or dynamic?

Ken J+

I've gotten that message myself before.

It seems windows wants a physical drive.

Thanks, Ken - The drive is brand new--just out of the box, one big partition, FAT32.

- Kris

I know this isn't the answer you are looking for Trip, but do yourself a favor & get away from using Windows backup altogether...
I along with others here "Swear" by Acronis True Image Home 2010 for all my imaging backups.
Not only is it extremely easy to use, but uses much less space (at default its 1/2 the original size) for your backups & does "perfect" 1:1 image backups of exactly what's on your HD's & or partitions!
It will also easily let you use any external drive or even a online Server...
I've used Acronis now for 7 years & it works flawlessly...
Nice to know in case of a disaster that I can have my OS up & running again in 3 minutes flat from one of my backup images!

MUff1N - Thanks much for the tip--I'll check into it (seriously). But I'm also still interested in a native Windows 7 solution, if it exists.

Hi Tripper,

I am with Muffin on this. A 3rd party solution is much better.

The main issues with Windows Backup are:

It doesn't let you select a source - you are forced to image the system and boot partitions ( tho you can add others).

It doesn't let you browse to an image of choice - you can get in serious trouble if the image location , or name has changed. There are cases of the image being clearly visible in Explorer and Windows Backup just refuses to see it.

It doesn't let you select the target - it tries to put the image back where it came from.

That is extarordinarily limited - all 3rd party apps. I know of do all those things - and most have extra niceties - like adjustable speed, compression, ability to make an image from the boot disc., exclude options, make bootable backup partition/ dvd/usb, etc. etc.

Even the free versions are better than Windows Backup.

The most complete is Paragon B&R10 Free :

Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition - Overview



How to Create an Image with Paragon

How to Restore Data with Paragon


Another good choice ( fewer functions than Paragon, but very small and fast):

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

How to create a disk image with Macrium Reflect

How to create the Macrium Linux rescue CD

How to recover your PC using the Linux rescue CD

The problem is the Fat32. You have to reformat the drive to NTFS. Have fun - for 1TB it will take a while (like 10 hours).

I downloaded and installed Paragon and my program looks nothing like your screen shot.

The pic of your screen looks much easier to use and understand. I think the interface I have is too confusing.

You need to format the drive NTFS, or create a partition formatted NTFS.

For example, on my computers I format a primary partition to store the image, then copy it to a backup in case of HDD failure.

When I need the HDD reimaged for any reason, I boot from the installer's Repair console, choose "Recover using an Image backup" and it will find the primary partition which it views as a drive, or the image stored in the root of the external.

So far I have reimaged instead of reinstalled a half dozen times, including just one partition, flawlessly in 15 minutes.