[Fixed] Drive is not a valid backup location in Windows 11/10/8/7

When trying to create a system image on a USB flash drive with Windows 10, I get an error message saying "This drive is not a valid backup location." Is there any way to fix this issue?

This question was posed by a Windows 10 user on the Microsoft Community forum, and many users running Windows 8, 7, 10, and 11 have acknowledged encountering the same issue – that the Windows Backup and Restore feature doesn't support a USB thumb drive as a backup storage location.

If you're experiencing this issue, don't worry. In this article, we'll explain the reasons behind it and offer three effective solutions to help you fix it.

Why Does "This Drive Is Not a Valid Backup Location" Happen?

The incompatibility of USB with Backup and Restore causes the message “This drive is not valid for backing up” to appear, meaning that while you can back up files and other data to a USB drive, Windows Backup and Restore does not recognize a USB flash or thumb drive as a backup location.

Furthermore, this disk is not suitable for this purpose, as it lacks the capacity to store all the backup data. Additionally, the reliability and durability of the drive are questionable, as it may be prone to failures or damage, thereby compromising the integrity of the data stored on it. The absence of appropriate backup management tools, such as automated scheduling or version control, further diminishes the effectiveness of this drive as a backup location.

Regardless of the reason, you can try any of the three methods to safely back up your data and effectively fix the error: use a different backup tool, change the backup location, or create a folder on a USB. Let's now delve into each step in detail. Method 1 is the most effective and popular one.

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Solution 1: Create a System Image on a USB Device with Third-party Backup Tools - Recommended

Aside from backup and restore, there are many other backup tools that can back up Windows files to USB. A third-party backup tool is the easiest solution to the "drive is not a valid backup location" issue. Here, Todo Backup is a good choice. As a professional software, it serves as the best alternative when Windows 10 backup is not working. It allows you

Now you can download and try it to create a system image on a USB flash drive in Windows 10/8/7 or other versions with only 3 simple steps.

Step 1: Launch Todo Backup and on the main screen, select "Backup" and then click "Choose what to backup".

Step 2: Click on "System" to start the backup among the four categories listed.

Step 3: The system partition will be selected automatically; you just have to choose the location.

Create System Backup Step 3

Step 4. You can choose to save the backup file to a local drive, cloud storage, or NAS. You can also connect an external hard drive to save the system backup file.

Step 5: You can customize the settings in the “Options” on the bottom left. Then, click on “Back Up Now” to start the backup process.

* After the backup is complete, you can right-click on the backup task on the left to check its status, recover, open, or delete the backup.

USB Not a Valid Backup Location When Creating System Image in Windows 7

Want to create a system image with the Windows 7 Backup and Restore feature? Got an error "USB is not a valid backup location" when using a USB drive? Solve this issue with the solutions in this article.

Create a directory on the USB drive.

Aside from using third-party backup tools, you can also try creating a folder on your USB drive to remedy the “This drive is not a valid backup location” issue. The only downside is that it involves more steps to manage.

1. Format the USB flash drive to the NTFS file system.
2. Share the USB flash drive as a network drive.

Create a folder on your USB drive. Right-click the folder and select “Share with” > “Specific people.” Select yourself from the list of users, then click “Share” and “Finish.”

3. Make sure you have advanced sharing permissions set to Full Control.
4. Launch Windows Backup and select System Image Backup.
5. Choose a network location for the backup.
6. Browse to your computer and select the USB share.
7. If your password is blank, input a space and click OK.

After doing so, Windows Backup and Restore should start creating the system image on your USB flash drive, and the “This drive is not valid for a backup location” error should no longer occur.

Related article: How to Backup Computer to USB Flash Drive (2 Simple Ways)

Fix 3: Save the backup to an external hard drive instead of a USB device

If you insist on using the built-in Windows Backup and Restore, it's better to have an external hard drive available for backups rather than a USB. By changing the external hard drive as your backup destination, you can successfully back up your Windows operating system to a USB. Now, follow these steps to create a system image on an external hard drive, taking Windows 11 as an example:

Step 1: Connect the external hard drive to your Windows computer.

Step 2. Control Panel - Backup and Restore - System and Security - Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 3: Click Create system image.

Step 4: In the “Where do you want to save your backup?” window, select the external hard drive as the location, and then click “Next.”

Select the external hard drive

Step 5. Select the disks to include in the backup, then click “Next.” Review your settings, and click “Start Backup” to initiate the process.

Select the disk to be backed up

Related Reading: USB Flash Drive vs External Hard Drive | How to Backup Laptop to External Hard Drive

Which Is Right for You: Todo Backup or Backup and Restore?

After reading the above content, you must have some understanding of Windows Backup and Todo Backup. Wondering which one to choose for backing up your Windows computer? Don't worry; we'll compare these two programs in detail right below.

Tool: Todo Backup

In terms of adaptability and customization options, Todo Backup excels. It allows users to choose the backup size and frequency, enabling them to create full backups, incremental backups, or differential backups. Todo Backup also supports multiple file systems, making it compatible with various USB flash drives and external hard disk drives. The software also offers the option of backup encryption, ensuring the security of your backed-up data.

Todo Backup typically offers faster backup speeds, especially when dealing with large amounts of data. This could be due to its utilization of intelligent backup and multi-threading technologies. On the other hand, System Image Backup in Windows may be slower because it requires significant computational power.

Windows Backup and Restore

Windows Backup and Restore is a built-in feature of the Windows operating system that offers convenience to users. It has a user-friendly interface, making it easy even for beginners to perform backup operations. Users can also create a system image backup through Windows Backup and Restore to ensure a full recovery of the OS in case of system failure. However, it lacks the advanced customization options or encryption features found in Todo Backup.

In summary, both Windows Backup and Recovery and Todo Backup have their unique advantages. Todo Backup is an ideal choice for users who prioritize advanced data management and security, thanks to its versatility, customizable options, and encryption capabilities. For users seeking basic backup functionalities integrated within the Windows operating system, Windows Backup and Recovery is an attractive option due to its convenience, simplicity, and the ability to create system image backups. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the user's specific requirements and preferences.

READ MORE: Windows 11 Backup vs Windows 10 Backup and Todo Backup Tools

the home stretch

When planning to save a backup on an external USB drive, the "Drive is not a valid backup location" issue can be quite inconvenient. We believe that with the solutions provided above, you can effectively resolve this problem and ensure the safety of your backups.

With Todo Backup, a professional backup tool, you can easily back up your Windows 11/10/8/7 files or system to an external hard drive or USB device without any hassle. You definitely shouldn't miss it. Download and try it now.