System Image / Win 10 / Should USB Stick be FAT32 or NTFS?

[BRRSRR]

I plan to use Macrium Reflect Free to create a System Image (not a Clone). The image will be 76GB. It will be created on a USB stick. How should I format the USB stick... FAT32 or NTFS?

Thanks

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum.

I suspect (actually think) that Macrium will automatically format the stick before starting the writing process, so leave this to the software itself. Most probably it will automatically format it to FAT32 but in all cases leave this to the software itself.

[BRRSRR]

I found out that since Macrium will create the System Image as a .mcimg file, AND I plan to use Macrium to restore the System Image from the USB stick, then the USB stick does NOT have to be bootable. So, I have this part figured out.

However, I'm still getting mixed signals regarding what format the USB stick needs to be in BEFORE using Macrium to create the System Image. The .mcimg file will be approximately 74 GB.

What format should be used for the USB stick... FAT32, or NTFS, or some other format?

Thanks

[IT_WinSec]

If you are in doubt, please contact Macrium support:

>> https://www.macrium.com/contact/product-support

>> http://forum.macrium.com/Default.aspx

I would try either one and if it fails, just start from the beginning. If there is some issue writing to the USB device, it will tell you and it won't be able to write the .mcimg image file.

I personally have no experience with this at the moment. Last used something from them about 5-6 years ago.

Other similar softwares either format the device themselves or just notify about issues if they cannot read/access or write to the source where the image needs to be stored. If Macrium cannot write to the source, it will notify you and you will begin again but formatting it else.