Does Win 7 Backup, also backup FAT Partitions?


  1. fireberd
    Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       New #1

    Does Win 7 Backup, also backup FAT Partitions?


    I'm getting mixed signals on this. I use Acronis myself so there is no issue there.
    But, I have clients that want to only use the Windows 7 backup feature to backup the hard drive. Most of what I've seen, including the Tutorial on here, states the Windows 7 backup only backs up NTFS partitions and NOT FAT partitions.

    There is one of the "regulars" on the Dell forum that states the Windows 7 backup will do all partitions, whether FAT or NTFS.

    ????
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  3. seavixen32
    Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       New #2

    A quick search on Google revealed that it seems Win 7 Backup isn't able to backup FAT32 recovery partitions.

    Seems you're better to use third-party software.

    Backup of FAT32 partition?
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  4. HammerHead
    Posts : 1,965
    win 7 X64 Ultimate SP1
       New #3

    Acronis


    I am an Acronis user also. I don't have any Fat partitions or I would try MS backup for you. If you have access to Fat partitions test it. Then you will know first hand.
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  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       New #4

    Here is the message you get if you try to image a Fat32 Partition:

    One of the source volumes specified has an invalid format and cannot be protected using Windows Backup. Only volumes formatted with NTFS can be protected.
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  7. fireberd
    Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    WHS, Danke.
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  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       New #6

    No problem. It was easy to test. I made a small 2GB test partition in Fat32 and then tried to back it up with the Wbadmin command. That's how I got the message.
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  10. fireberd
    Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    I should have done that too.
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