Fat32 or NTFS for windows bootable media backup

[spyguy]

Does it matter which one? I just made a backup with acronis and my usb says its fat32 format and Im not sure how to change it.

 

[USAFRet]

Does it matter which one? I just made a backup with acronis and my usb says its fat32 format and Im not sure how to change it.

"windows bootable media backup"

Please explain exactly what you're doing with this.

 

[boju]

He means this i think

https://forum.acronis.com/forum/acronis-true-image-home-forum-older-versions/backup-file-system-fat32-or-ntfs

Fat32 format is default. Should be able to change format within the program.

Don't think it matters too much regarding reliability.

 

[spyguy]

Does it matter which one? I just made a backup with acronis and my usb says its fat32 format and Im not sure how to change it.

"windows bootable media backup"

Please explain exactly what you're doing with this.

Im creating a backup bootable usb in case I ever run into an issue where my system wont boot up. I was told this is standard practice.

 

[boju]

Anything related to boot / prior the os needs fat32. Bios / post can't read ntfs.

 

[spyguy]

Now I cant get the backup usb to boot my pc. I wonder what the issue is.

 

[USAFRet]

Does it matter which one? I just made a backup with acronis and my usb says its fat32 format and Im not sure how to change it.

"windows bootable media backup"

Please explain exactly what you're doing with this.

Im creating a backup bootable usb in case I ever run into an issue where my system wont boot up. I was told this is standard practice.

A Rescue USB?
Used to boot up and provide enough of an environment to read a backup image, and recover to another drive?

FAT32 is it.

 

[karenjoly]

The downside to keeping one around is that it will lack all the updates that are included in the latest install files which you can download when you need a new install.


The upside is that at least you will have an install available should you not be able to get into windows to download the latest and greatest.

 

[USAFRet]

Im creating a backup bootable usb in case I ever run into an issue where my system wont boot up. I was told this is standard practice.

Again, this depends on exactly what you're doing.

For instance, I use Macrium Reflect for backup duties.

One of its functions is ti create a Rescue USB or CD. This is NOT the whole OS, but rather a small bootable environment.
Use it to recover an Image that lives on some other drive, and apply that to some new drive.

Is this what you're creating?
Or are you trying to make a full bootable 'clone' of your whole OS drive?

 

[spyguy]

Or are you trying to make a full bootable 'clone' of your whole OS drive?

Im just trying to make a rescue usb for the scenario that my pc enters an unbootable state. I got it to work I believe. It brings me to an acronis program that gives options to recover drives and so forth. I tested it through the bios. I didn't go as far as to actually recover the files. I don't think I should need to, as long as the rescue usb is recognized by my pc, wouldn't you say?

 

[USAFRet]

Im just trying to make a rescue usb for the scenario that my pc enters an unbootable state. I got it to work I believe. It brings me to an acronis program that gives options to recover drives and so forth. I tested it through the bios. I didn't go as far as to actually recover the files. I don't think I should need to, as long as the rescue usb is recognized by my pc, wouldn't you say?

Right.
Small USB, FAT32.


However....any backup routine is only as good as the last time you actually tested the procedure.
Having that rescue USB and a backup somewhere is great (kudos...far, far better than most people), but actually knowing it works is better.

 

[spyguy]

USAFRet, How do I make sure it works? Do I boot through the rescue usb and then recover files from the drive that has windows on it?

 

[USAFRet]

USAFRet, How do I make sure it works? Do I boot through the rescue usb and then recover files from the drive that has windows on it?

Ideally, you would simulate an actual dead drive.

This requires having another blank physical drive handy.
Create whatever backup image you plan to use.
Create this Rescue USB.

Power off.
Remove or disconnect your current C drive.
Put in the new drive.
Power up, and boot from the Rescue USB.
Can you recover the system to its previous condition on this blank drive?

If so, then you know the software and your procedure actually works.
If not...why not? What failed?