Saving system image is to large for backup drive


Hazel123 said:
So you have two 1tb external drives? One on Fat 32 for file backups and one on NTFS for a system image?
Click to expand...
No I just have my C drive and the 1TB drive is my Seagate external drive that backups my files like documents, picture, music etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Bree said:
'Works' is correct, 'fine' is perhaps an undeserved exaggeration. It suffers from very limited (if any) user options. For a start, there are no user-selectable compression options available. The image it makes will be near enough the same size as the total used data of the partitions being imaged. Frustratingly, there is a compression algorithm built in, but it is only employed if you choose to store the image on a set of DVDs.

And on completing the image it still only offers to make a recovery CD, there's no option to make a recovery USB or ISO. Who has an optical drive these days?

None of those restrictions apply to any of the popular 3rd-party imaging tools.
Click to expand...
Good point - especially about the recovery cd. They really should update that. Windows iso on a usb works instead of a recovery usb. I can just understand why some people find it simpler.

Excellent tip about being able to retrieve file back ups from a Macrium image - I just found the interface a bit off putting. A lot of options for those who know what they're doing!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
mallen said:
No I just have my C drive and the 1TB drive is my Seagate external drive that backups my files like documents, picture, music etc.
Click to expand...
Ah ok. So were you trying to create the system image to your C Drive? That may be the problem?

You need to save it to another external drive. You can't use the same one that has the files on that's set to Fat 32. For an image the external drive needs to be set to NTFS (the same as your C Drive). But don't format the current one to NTFS or you'll lose your file backups!

File back ups - fat 32 (like standard on usb sticks you buy)
System Images - NTFS

If you've been trying to make the image onto the C Drive then that'll be why there isn't enough space. And also you need the image on a separate drive in case the main drive fails. So suggest getting another 1tb external drive.

When you buy a usb external drive or usb stick, they are automatically set to Fat 32 - to copy and paste things. So to change it to NTFS before making an image, you just plug in the drive to the computer, then in file explorer - right click on the external drive (make sure it's the right drive! Usually Drive D if no other drives installed or other usb's plugged in). And select "Format". Then on the new window that opens change file system heading from Fat 32 to NTFS via the drop down arrow. Then just click "start" at the bottom. It doesn't take long. Wait till it's finished, click close and then your drive is on NTFS.

Apologies if I have just explained a lot of basic things you already know!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
In order to get what I find to be a good explanation of how the process works and how to handle it see the article at the following link;

Cloned Hard Drive Shows Wrong Size - Quick Fix Once For All

Facing a cloned hard drive that shows the wrong size? Learn how to recover lost space and solve the issue of incorrect disk sizes with easy, step-by-step solutions.
www.ubackup.com www.ubackup.com

It is a promotional explanation by AOMEI.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microcenter B677
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-9400
    Motherboard
    ASRock H310CM-HDV/M.2
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Intel Kaby Lake - High Definition Audio / cAVS (Audio, Voice, Speech) [A0]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Model: GSM59F1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1080
    Case
    Lian Li 205M
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky AV
mallen said:
Yes I was using Windows to create the system image.
It says EFI partition is 260 MB,
Windows C is 952 GB,
Windows Recovery Environment is 794MB.

I looked at my C drive it says:
952 GB capacity
247 GB used
705 GB free
Click to expand...
Hi,
Windows backup is more like a useless clone not a system image

Use free macrium instead

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-7-10-11Pro's
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer 17" Nitro 7840sn/ 2x16gb 5600c40/ 4060/ stock 1tb-os/ 4tb sn850x
    CPU
    10900k & 9940x & 5930k
    Motherboard
    z490-Apex & x299-Apex & x99-Sabertooth
    Memory
    Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb & Trident-Z 3600c16 4x8gb & 3200c14 4x8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Titan Xp & 1080ti FTW3 & evga 980ti gaming
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek x3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
    Screen Resolution
    1920-1080 not sure what the t.v is besides 43" class scales from 1920-1080 perfectly
    Hard Drives
    2-WD-sn850x 4tb/ 970evo+500gb/ 980 pro 2tb.
    PSU
    1000p2 & 1200p2 & 850p2
    Case
    D450 x2 & 1 Test bench in cherry Entertainment center
    Cooling
    Custom water loops x3 with 2x mora 360mm rads only 980ti gaming air cooled
    Keyboard
    G710+x3
    Mouse
    Redragon x3
    Internet Speed
    xfinity gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    mbam pro
Macrium is very good and very popular on here. You could do both if you have an external drive formatted to ntfs. This article still suggests using the Windows Imaging program for general users, and other imaging programs for more advanced users. You could try both and see how you get on! It's for Windows 11 but the same applies for Windows 10.

windowsreport.com

Windows 11 System Image: 2 Quick Ways to Create One

Want to create a Windows 11 system image for backup? This guide will show you the best and the easiest way to do that.
windowsreport.com windowsreport.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Hazel123 said:
Ah ok. So were you trying to create the system image to your C Drive? That may be the problem?

You need to save it to another external drive. You can't use the same one that has the files on that's set to Fat 32. For an image the external drive needs to be set to NTFS (the same as your C Drive). But don't format the current one to NTFS or you'll lose your file backups!

File back ups - fat 32 (like standard on usb sticks you buy)
System Images - NTFS

If you've been trying to make the image onto the C Drive then that'll be why there isn't enough space. And also you need the image on a separate drive in case the main drive fails. So suggest getting another 1tb external drive.

When you buy a usb external drive or usb stick, they are automatically set to Fat 32 - to copy and paste things. So to change it to NTFS before making an image, you just plug in the drive to the computer, then in file explorer - right click on the external drive (make sure it's the right drive! Usually Drive D if no other drives installed or other usb's plugged in). And select "Format". Then on the new window that opens change file system heading from Fat 32 to NTFS via the drop down arrow. Then just click "start" at the bottom. It doesn't take long. Wait till it's finished, click close and then your drive is on NTFS.

Apologies if I have just explained a lot of basic things you already know!
Click to expand...
No my system images were going to my external drive. I have done it this way for years. But when I tried with Windows 11 it didn't fit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Hi,
Windows backup was depreciated a long long time ago
If you insist on using it good luck to you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-7-10-11Pro's
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer 17" Nitro 7840sn/ 2x16gb 5600c40/ 4060/ stock 1tb-os/ 4tb sn850x
    CPU
    10900k & 9940x & 5930k
    Motherboard
    z490-Apex & x299-Apex & x99-Sabertooth
    Memory
    Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb & Trident-Z 3600c16 4x8gb & 3200c14 4x8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Titan Xp & 1080ti FTW3 & evga 980ti gaming
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek x3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
    Screen Resolution
    1920-1080 not sure what the t.v is besides 43" class scales from 1920-1080 perfectly
    Hard Drives
    2-WD-sn850x 4tb/ 970evo+500gb/ 980 pro 2tb.
    PSU
    1000p2 & 1200p2 & 850p2
    Case
    D450 x2 & 1 Test bench in cherry Entertainment center
    Cooling
    Custom water loops x3 with 2x mora 360mm rads only 980ti gaming air cooled
    Keyboard
    G710+x3
    Mouse
    Redragon x3
    Internet Speed
    xfinity gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    mbam pro
mallen said:
No my system images were going to my external drive. I have done it this way for years. But when I tried with Windows 11 it didn't fit.
Click to expand...
Ok. I thought you said they were going to C Drive. I'll butt out then!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Macrium Reflect Free will save system images to a FAT32 partition. It will split the image into separate 4 GB files that will fit within the 4 GB size limit of FAT32.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Use a few of the free or paid backup programs and actually have your system down from a severe issue and then see how well others are compared to Microsoft. Unless you're a devote Microsoft fan, I think you'll find that most other offerings simply provide more options and work better.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI Custom build
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 TI
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
Some backup programs basically copy and compress the files so a backup might be smaller then what is on the original drive space. You wouldn't need as large of a backup drive.

Many backup programs also offer Sector by Sector backup that will create an exact image of the original drive. In this case you would need a backup drive as big or bigger then the original drive.

It usually isn't necessary to do a Sector by Sector backup, but some programs hide some markers on the original drive for copy protection. It is a matter of trial and error to find out. Big backup drives are cheap now, but the larger the backup, the longer it takes.

Anyway, Sector by Sector would explain why a backup is so big.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Data Backup Software


Macrium Reflect Free - Probably the best FREE version for the average home user
Acronis True Image Due to increased bloat and reported recovery failures it's getting difficult to recommend any more
AOMEI Backupper (Chinese company)
Backup Maker
StorageCraft ShadowProtect Desktop
FBackup
Fab's AutoBackup
Leo Backup
Handy Backup
BackupAssist
SyncBackPro
EaseUS Todo Backup Free
UltraBack Backup and Disaster Recovery Software
Z-DBackup
Veritas Net Backup and Backup Exec
Duplicati
NovaBackup
Bacula Open Source Network Backup Solution
BackupPC


Cloud Backup Software

22 Online Backup Services Reviewed
Google Drive
Microsoft OneDrive
Dropbox
bonkey, the backup monkey
SolarWinds Backup
Druva - Data management as a service
Backblaze


Snapshot and Imaging Backup

Macrium Reflect Free
Runtime Software - DriveImage XML
Clonezilla
Paragon Backup & Recovery Free
Clonezilla-SysRescCD


Disk and Partitioning

AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition
SystemRescueCd
Gnome Partition Editor
Parted Magic
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI Custom build
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 TI
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
Thank you for all the suggestions. My original post was why I could the back up a system image on Windows 10 with the same amount of data and same external drive and it won't fit with Windows 11.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
mallen said:
Thank you for all the suggestions. My original post was why I could the back up a system image on Windows 10 with the same amount of data and same external drive and it won't fit with Windows 11.
Click to expand...
Windows 11 Forums 101:
Ask a question, get 50 answers all moving further away from the OP question and ultimately ending on Marcium. It's fabulous :LOL:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
Hazel123 said:
Good point - especially about the recovery cd. They really should update that. Windows iso on a usb works instead of a recovery usb. I can just understand why some people find it simpler.

Excellent tip about being able to retrieve file back ups from a Macrium image - I just found the interface a bit off putting. A lot of options for those who know what they're doing!
Click to expand...
Microsoft has already said it's no longer developing their backup program, so I doubt anything will be done to correct the flaws.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy TE01-1xxx
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700 CPU @ 2.90GHz 2.90 GHz
    Motherboard
    16.0GB Dual-Channel Unknown @ 1463MHz (21-21-21-47)
    Memory
    16384 MBytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitor 1 - Acer 27" Monitor 2 - Acer 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC PC SN530 SDBPNPZ-512G-1006 (SSD)
    Seagate ST1000DM003-1SB102
    Seagate BUP Slim SCSI Disk Device (SSD)
    PSU
    HP
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's all Folks!
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 (10th gen) 10700
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 27" & Samsung 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x
    Hard Drives
    SSD (512 GB)
    HDD (1 TB)
    Seagate
    PSU
    Intel i7 10th Generation
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    HP/Intel?
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Internet Speed
    50 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox 90.2
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Headphone/Microphone Combo
    SuperSpeed USB Type-A (4 on front)
    HP 3-in-One Card Readr
    SuperSpeed USB Type-C
    DVD Writer
mallen said:
Thank you for all the suggestions. My original post was why I could the back up a system image on Windows 10 with the same amount of data and same external drive and it won't fit with Windows 11.
Click to expand...
I answered with an explanation in post #32 above.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
mallen said:
Thank you for all the suggestions. My original post was why I could the back up a system image on Windows 10 with the same amount of data and same external drive and it won't fit with Windows 11.
Click to expand...
Are you using the same imaging system? Windows 7 Imaging? So it's like for like. Is there anything else on the external drive you're backing up to? If the external drive doesn't have enough space eg. If you have the same number of files as before it shouldn't take up more space, unless there've been a lot of Windows updates, but even then it shouldn't take up a massive amount of space.

Have you run a virus scan? I vaguely remember an issue years back when malware or viruses could seemingly fill a lot of space.

Although you need only around 27 GB at the time of installation of Windows 11, over the time when you install updates regularly ut will eat up more space on your disk and become bulky. Whatever the update you receive, try leaving some extra space in the partition where you install the OS.


Back in the day, when Windows 10 was released it took up only 20 GB of space on my Laptop (64 bit) at the time of installation. But today it takes almost 32 GB. And this applies to the 32-bit version also
Click to expand...

How Much Space Does Windows 11 Take up on Your Disk?

Wondering how much space does Windows 11 take on your SSD? Read this article to learn more about the space requirements to install Windows 11 (32 & 64 bit).
makmodo.com makmodo.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
mallen said:
No I just have my C drive and the 1TB drive is my Seagate external drive that backups my files like documents, picture, music etc.
Click to expand...
Just to clarify as I think there was some confusion earlier. You just have the one 1tb external drive with backups. I then asked if you were trying to save the image to the C Drive instead of the external drive and I think you said no you were saving to another external drive. Is that right? Just checking where you're backing up to.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Wynona said:
Microsoft has already said it's no longer developing their backup program, so I doubt anything will be done to correct the flaws.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Can you explain to me what the flaw is please? I didn't know there was one! Other than it is old.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
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