Get rid of GTP Protective partition so I can backup Windows 7?

Suggestion.

Firstly, you have to do some housekeeping on your computer system.

Remove most HDD(s) out of your computer system, and use USB enclosure boxs.
This is avoid if something go wrong with your system, especially using multi- systems.

For Backup, go for Professional backup system.
Since you mentioned the importance of your system and program.

As for Free software, there are no proper Support should anything happened.
Even this &or others, forums users may not be able to do the proper job for you. (had to say this)

Finally, do you have any Professional Security and even a tiny malware can do much damages on not only your system partition, but also other HDD(s).
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba L630 and L735
OS
Windows 7 x64
Hard Drives
240 GB SSD
Your Win 7 was installed as Legacy-MBR and it didn't create any GPT partition.
If you read the articles that I gave you the link, you will find that it was MAC OS who created the GPT Protective partition.

Are you sure Macrium Reflect Free cant make a partition (not disk image) image of the C: drive partition?
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
Thank you for your input Eric.

Suggestion.

Firstly, you have to do some housekeeping on your computer system.

Remove most HDD(s) out of your computer system, and use USB enclosure boxs.

I have backups for everything that's on every drives except the C: system drive...

My workflow is copying files from a backed-up NAS to the internal drives, processing and then backup back to another NAS (which itself is backed up as well)

I keep these processing drives inside because I am dealing with process intensive material and I try to avoid adding any source of failure between the processing drive and the system, such as faulty USB/esata/Thunderbolt/whatever cable/controller/driver/enclosure which happened to me some times when I was using external enclosures.

For Backup, go for Professional backup system.
Since you mentioned the importance of your system and program.

As for Free software, there are no proper Support should anything happened.
Even this &or others, forums users may not be able to do the proper job for you. (had to say this)

I totally agree with you on this. But I have to find the proper software (the one that will work) before paying a license for it. I assumed Windows Backup service was able to do the job but it doesn't look like it according to the various answers I got here.

Finally, do you have any Professional Security and even a tiny malware can do much damages on not only your system partition, but also other HDD(s).

Of course, I'm so paranoid with that believe me I got super secured regarding this matter and I do run scans with multiple software on a regular basis. :)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64377032GB670
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 x64
CPU
3770
Motherboard
Z77 UP5 TH
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
670
Hard Drives
Samsung EVO Pro 128GB
PSU
Corsair 650W
Your Win 7 was installed as Legacy-MBR and it didn't create any GPT partition.
If you read the articles that I gave you the link, you will find that it was MAC OS who created the GPT Protective partition.

I just saw the link and I really can tell you that MAC OS didn't create that partition, I didn't even have a mac disk on this machine in the first place, and certainly didn't set up any time machine as it is mentioned in the link you provided as the cause of a GPT partition.

Are you sure Macrium Reflect Free cant make a partition (not disk image) image of the C: drive partition?

Yes. Still, are you saying that because whenever I find a solution to that problem, let say delete that GPT protective partition and Macrium would eventually work, it would be a better solution than that Driveclone software?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64377032GB670
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 x64
CPU
3770
Motherboard
Z77 UP5 TH
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
670
Hard Drives
Samsung EVO Pro 128GB
PSU
Corsair 650W
Ok, months have passed, I am still in the same situation.

Can anyone please help me sort & fix this?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64377032GB670
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 x64
CPU
3770
Motherboard
Z77 UP5 TH
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
670
Hard Drives
Samsung EVO Pro 128GB
PSU
Corsair 650W
Have you tried to delete it with Partition Wizard yet ? Have you given it a letter and explored it ? What`s on it ?

Also, why is your page file on Disk 3 ?

It should be on Disk 0 with Windows.

With 32 GB of memory I don`t even use a page file, haven`t used one in years, never had an issue, with W7 or W10.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Pro x64Intel Core i7 6700KGSkill TridentZ RGB 16GB 3600 16-16-16-36EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC x2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Skylake Special #666
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 6700K
Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1
Memory
GSkill TridentZ RGB 16GB 3600 16-16-16-36
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC x2
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition
Monitor(s) Displays
AOC G2460PG
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 144Hz
Hard Drives
Samsung 860 Pro 256GB, Seagate Barracuda 4TB x2
PSU
EVGA 1000 P2, EVGA White Custom Braided Cables
Case
Corsair Vengeance C70 Gunmetal Black
Cooling
Corsair H100i v2, Corsair ML120 x2, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
Keyboard
Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum
Mouse
Logitech G700s
Internet Speed
Verizon Fios Quantum Gateway 75/75
Antivirus
Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Free 3.8.3
Browser
Chrome
Other Info
Corsair SP120 x4, LG Blu-ray Drive, Durabrand HT-395 100 Watt Dolby Digital Amp, Corsair H2100 Wireless 7.1 Headset
This post starts out answering a question that is missing
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

win7proi716GTX 980 TI
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gigibyte Custom build
OS
win7pro
CPU
i7
Memory
16
Graphics Card(s)
GTX 980 TI
Hard Drives
ssd 4t 750gig
Antivirus
norton pain
Back
Top