pen drive partitioning for Windows install, Backup and personal files


  1. Posts : 448
    Windows 10
       #1

    pen drive partitioning for Windows install, Backup and personal files


    I am thinking to make 3 partition in my pen drive. First one for personal files n folders. Second for bootable Windows installation and third for bootable Macrium Reflect. Am I rightly partitioning. As per my knowledge windows recognize only first partition of pendrive. So I will keep first partition for my documents so that I could access them within windows and as second n third partitions are for windows installation and macrium backup so I can access them while booting. Any suggestions.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #2

    Interesting concept, will have to try it one of these days but I think you can make USB bootable and boot only from main partition so MR partition may not be bootable and it needs to be able to work.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 1,621
    Windows 10 Home
       #3

    One way I think your very cool idea may work: successfully use correct ISO for WinPE [correct?] on one partition, successfully use correct ISO for Macrium Reflect boot on another partition. Then, depending upon which partition you want to boot at the time, you have use some sort of disk management that will recognize and work upon flash drives to mark the desired partition as active. If you're successful, have two of such flash drives, in case one temporarily doesn't work. And, other sources indicate: it is best that those booting partitions exist before any Logical [data] partitions. Please post your success steps, I'm very interested!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #4

    2 types of USB sticks: "Removable" and "Basic". Can only be done with Basic (Fixed disk).
    pen drive partitioning for Windows install, Backup and personal files-.jpg
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #5

    topgundcp said:
    2 types of USB sticks: "Removable" and "Basic". Can only be done with Basic (Fixed disk).
    pen drive partitioning for Windows install, Backup and personal files-.jpg
    It is now virtually impossible to buy "fixed disk" drives now without buying the expensive "Windows To Go" certified drives.

    However, you can create multiboot drives from a conventional removeable flash drive, using YUMI.

    How to Create a Multi Boot USB Drive with Yumi: 10 Steps

    As far as I know, each OS is in an iso, and cleverly boots that iso.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 448
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    topgundcp said:
    2 types of USB sticks: "Removable" and "Basic". Can only be done with Basic (Fixed disk).
    pen drive partitioning for Windows install, Backup and personal files-.jpg
    Thanks for advising that it can be done only with basic usb.
    How did you converted your removable usb to basic. What about utility lexar boot it
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #7

    sam9 said:
    Thanks for advising that it can be done only with basic usb.
    How did you converted your removable usb to basic. What about utility lexar boot it
    Unless topgundcp was very lucky, either owning a flash drive already set, or found one that could be converted, none of those utilities have worked for several years. San cruzer did some a few years back, but changed back without telling anybody (and i got caught out thinking I was buying a fixed drive disk).

    You can buy a Windows To Go Drive but way overpriced.

    Of course, I await topgundcp's response in slim hope he can prove me wrong.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #8

    It is much easier to do with an SSD or laptop HDD installed in a USB enclosure.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #9

    NavyLCDR said:
    It is much easier to do with an SSD or laptop HDD installed in a USB enclosure.
    But that's much larger tan 2 or 3 USB sticks. Actually, I use SD and micro SDs for boot and service disks.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 448
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    cereberus said:
    Unless topgundcp was very lucky, either owning a flash drive already set, or found one that could be converted, none of those utilities have worked for several years. San cruzer did some a few years back, but changed back without telling anybody (and i got caught out thinking I was buying a fixed drive disk).

    You can buy a Windows To Go Drive but way overpriced.

    Of course, I await topgundcp's response in slim hope he can prove me wrong.
    Thanks. Me also waiting for his response or someone else to come up with his experience in this matter.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:12.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums