How do I create a system image when Windows says my USB stick is not valid?

[Elwin Green]

I have a Windows 7 laptop that I've upgraded to Windows 10 (it can't run Windows 11). I am trying to create a system image on a 512GB USB stick. After locating it, Windows says "The drive is not a valid backup location."That's all it says, so I don't know what the underlying issue is, or how to resolve it. The computer's boot sequence says that a hard drive failure may be imminent, so I need to create a system image ASAP. What might I do to resolve the issue with my USB stick?

Continue reading...