Windows 10: Backup Windows 10 OS only USB stick and/or external drive

Hi,I have some questions:1. How can I backup my Windows 10 OS only? Can I put it on a usb stick 32gb and external ssd?2. Can I still use my usb stick/ssd where I put the bakcup OS?3. Is the backup OS plug and play I don't know the correct term or is it an installer?4. How do I use the backup in case of an emergency?Thank you,John

:)

 

Installing windows off of a USB stick

Step By Step from vista:
From admin cmd prompt

1. diskpart
1a. list disk
2. select disk 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
3. clean
4. create partition primary
5. select partition 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
6. active
7. format fs=fat32
8. assign
9. exit

Copy Windows Vista's DVD ROM content to the Flash Drive

xcopy d:\*.* /s/e/f e:\ (d being your vista cd and e being your usb stick)

And that's it, boot off your usb disk

 

Eject options inconsistent between USB stick and USB external drive - Windows 10

When I want to eject a USB stick I can do it 2 different ways (a) by clicking on the 'Safely remove hardware and eject media' icon in the notification area of the taskbar and selecting the device (b) in File Explorer by right mouse button on the drive letter
for the USB stick and clicking the Eject option

When I want to eject a USB external drive I only have one option, by clicking on the 'Safely remove hardware and eject media' icon in the notification area of the taskbar and selecting the device. In File Explorer if I right mouse button on the drive letter
for the USB external drive, there is no Eject option in the list of options.

Since I am usually in File Explorer when I have either a USB stick or a USB external drive plugged in, it is most natural to me to want to eject from within File Explorer after I have finished with the USB device.

Is there any way to 'switch on' an 'Eject' option within File Explorer for a USB external drive ?

Ron

PS this is true for both Windows 10 Home 32 bit and Windows 10 Pro 64 bit

 

External USB drive identified as local; cannot backup

How do I change the way Windows mistakes an external drive as a local drive?

I have been using a USB connected WD Passport drive for Windows 10 backups. It's been working fine. I noticed today that my last backup was March 8th, more than a month ago; so I attempted a manual backup, but the external USB drive is identified as local
and cannot be used as backup.

How do I change the way Windows recognizes this external drive?

My OS is Windows 10 Pro Version 1709 Build 16299.371. It's a PC, 64 bit with regular updates.