Windows 10: Back up to USB Flash drive

When backing up my laptop I use the Windows 7 back up procedure in control panel to create a system image to a usb hard drive.
I recently advised my mate that he should do the same with his laptop so he purchased a 256gb USB flash drive. When we attempt to do the back up of the image file windows reports that the USB flash drive is not a valid back up device. Can see no reason for this as drive capacity is more than adequate for the image file and drive is formatted in ntfs.
Did try doing same with my laptop with same results so something windows doesn't like about flash drives. However via this forum discovered Macrium and believe this will work OK and create an image file to the flash drive.
Can anyone explain why the windows 7 method will not work?

:)

 

install.wim is 7GB, how to make a bootable USB flash drive

This is a method to make a ntfs flash drive.

The trial and error step will be booting using Legacy BIOS...

Code:

This is the link:
Guide: How to Format USB Flash Drive Using Cmd - EaseUS

The link did not use active so that is why it is a trial and error step.

 

USB Flash drive made bootable

Hi Nelson,

Check if there is any slide switch on the side that provides write protection. It show's a closed and open lock on each side. We suggest to follow these steps below:

• Insert the USB flash drive into the USB port.
• Click Start, type devmgmt.msc in the Search textbox and press Enter.
• Find Disk Drives and expand it.
• Find the USB flash drive you want to format, and double-click it. It opens the
  Properties dialog box.
• Click Policies tab.
• By default, the Optimize for quick removal option selected, switch it to Optimize for performance and then press
  OK.
• Now open Computer. Right click on the USB Flash Drive and select Format. The Format dialog box now appears.
• Select NTFS in the File System field.
• Press Start and wait while the process will be completed.

You can also connect the USB drive on a different computer and try formatting.

Let us know how it goes.

 

Flash drive

Yeah, suggest a racebike when someone ask for a bicycle. Just... no. USB flash drive means USB flash drive.