ESD-USB flash drive - backup?

[vardo]

Hi,
Using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool, I created a Win10 ESD-USB bootable USB flash drive, and used it to clean install Windows 10.

Now I would like to backup the contents of this ESD-USB and archive it in case I ever need to do another clean install.

Is it sufficient to simply copy the root folder of the flash drive? Then in the future if I need to create a new installation flash drive, I can just copy everything back onto another flash drive?

Thanks

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Not sure why you wouldn't just leave it on the flash drive :/
4-5 gb flash drives are cheap,
Windows 10 Forums

 

[jumanji]

Hi vardo,

You can image your USB pendrive with ImageUSB and release the drive. You can then write the image to any USB pendrive of equal or larger capacity at anytime using the same ImageUSB. Image USB is easy to use.
Tools for OSForensics - ImageUSB - Write an image to multiple USB Flash Drives

That is what I use to backup the 32GB HP Recovery pen drives for HP Laptops.

 

[vardo]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Not sure why you wouldn't just leave it on the flash drive :/
4-5 gb flash drives are cheap,
Windows 10 Forums

At the time I was doing it I wasn't really thinking clearly, just grabbed whatever flash drive was nearest.

It happens to be one of my favorites (a high performance one) which I use regularly so that's why I want to free it up, just save the files on a HDD if possible.

 

[vardo]

Hi vardo,

You can image your USB pendrive with ImageUSB and release the drive. You can then write the image to any USB pendrive of equal or larger capacity at anytime using the same ImageUSB. Image USB is easy to use.
Tools for OSForensics - ImageUSB - Write an image to multiple USB Flash Drives

That is what I use to backup the 32GB HP Recovery pen drives for HP Laptops.

Thanks Jumanji, I will take a look at that.

 

[Ztruker]

I use ImgBurn to create an ISO from flash drives. Use Create image file from files.

Then I use Rufus to create a new flash drive from the ISO if ever needed.

Careful when installing ImgBurn as it brings some junk with it that will install unless you opt out (Click on Custom and uncheck boxes).

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Not sure why you wouldn't just leave it on the flash drive :/
4-5 gb flash drives are cheap,
Windows 10 Forums

At the time I was doing it I wasn't really thinking clearly, just grabbed whatever flash drive was nearest.

It happens to be one of my favorites (a high performance one) which I use regularly so that's why I want to free it up, just save the files on a HDD if possible.

That would explain it
One thing you might not be thinking of and it might come to play I know I used it a couple times myself,
Is using the same installation media as a system repair option or refresh install with this media,
Refresh Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums