Strange things happening with Windows 10 backup and external drive

As to the "size on disk" one will find that small files take up more room than their size indicates, has to do with Sector sizes and formatting. Most time the Sector will be something like 4096Bytes, fine if the file is smaller but if larger it will take several. The Sectors can't be shared with more than one file or there will be corruption, usually not recoverable. And that's just the simple way to put it. I noticed some time ago that an exFAT drive consumed more room for a file than NTFS, don't have any problem running but would be necessary to keep an eye on things.

@ShadowLad


Most of the people on here, use Macrium Reflect for backup duties. It's much more powerful, and has far less problems than Windows backup.

Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free



Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

I suggest using Reflect as recommended above which is far superior to Windows Backup which is now deprecated

Wow, I'm coming from Linux, where basic backing up of your data can be done with a simple one line "rsync" command. No need for third party apps.

I had a look at Macrium, I didn't like it. I'm going to look at EaseUS.

ShadowLad said:

Wow, I'm coming from Linux, where basic backing up of your data can be done with a simple one line "rsync" command. No need for third party apps.

Well, if you want a single command line solution that's included in Windows then look at using the RoboCopy command.

Technet | Robocopy and a Few Examples


If you'd like a GUI to go with that, then see this one...

Technet | Microsoft Richcopy

...or this one.

Technet | PowerShell Robocopy GUI Tool - PowerCopy

ShadowLad said:

Wow, I'm coming from Linux, where basic backing up of your data can be done with a simple one line "rsync" command. No need for third party apps.

I had a look at Macrium, I didn't like it. I'm going to look at EaseUS.

I just got 12 under par on Microsoft Links 2003, at Pebble Beach... but I still use Macrium Reflect.

I have 34GB on my C:\ drive, it takes 2 mins to make a backup.
Here's my quickie guide for those coming from... other OSes...

Obviously, on your comp... destination folder will be... different.









Everything else is left at defaults.

Same size as yours, Ghot, But I include an auto-verify with mine. Run tiime- 3:45.

Hello @ShadowLad,

ShadowLad said:

Wow, I'm coming from Linux, where basic backing up of your data can be done with a simple one line "rsync" command. No need for third party apps.

I had a look at Macrium, I didn't like it. I'm going to look at EaseUS.

Another one that is widely used is => AOMEI Backupper Standard [ FREE ]

I hope this helps.

@ShadowLad, main point is do something. Native Windows Back and Restore is simply not a good choice. We all have our preferences, and will state them, mine being Macrium. But you pick and use whatever feels right to you. That's the important part.