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×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
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×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
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- Notebooks
- Notebook Operating System and Recovery
- Back up complete harddrive

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06-27-2024 09:42 AM
I simply want to back up my entire hard rive with the 512 GB flash drive I bought. I don't want to use any other software programs. How can I do this? All the instructionals skip this issue. Do not offer any solutions that include extra programs please. I have a 512 GB hard drive with enough space free to use the flash drive. I have Windows 11 Home Edition.
06-28-2024 10:21 AM
You've placed limitations that prevent you from doing this.
The hard drive contains HIDDEN files and folders that are essential to Windows working. Any built-in Windows file copy routine is going to overlook those files and folders.
You will need to use a third-party product to do this and there are two kinds:
1) Backup up an entire image of the drive
2) Make an image of the Windows installation and back that up
The one of the first kind I have used is Drive-Image, the one of the second kind I have used is Macrium Reflect (MR).
I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP