I have a new 2TB USB external hard drive that I want to use to store system images and data file backups, as follows:

(1) Use Acronis 2016 to create system image of primary drive (an SSD)

(2) Use Macrium Reflect to create system image of primary drive

(3) Use SyncToy to backup selected data files

My question is this.......Given the above three tasks, should I create three partitions on my new drive or create three folders on a singular partition?

Thanks in advance.....

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BB
http://barrypatch.net

Since you will be backing up to the external drive, there's no reason to partition the external drive. Folders will do just fine. If you have an additional external drive, I do recommend utilizing that as well so that you're not reliant on a single storage device for all of your backups. You might use SyncToy to copy data to one of the drives while using the new drive for the image backups.

-steve

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stephen boots
Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020
"Life's always an adventure with computers!"

Have to agree with Steve 100%. If, in the unlikely case that the drive would die, you would lose all partitions anyway. No need to create extra partitions. Since Microsoft created the NTFS File System, years ago, the folders can now contain an incredible amount of data, entire c:drive backups, been doing it for years. Especially have to agree with his statement about using yet another external drive for even more backups ... believe me, the day WILL come when you will bless your lucky stars that you did.
Acadia

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The blazing evidence of immortality is our dissatisfaction with any other solution. -- Emerson

Thanks to Steve and Acadia. And I couldn't agree with you more about using more than one external drive. How about 3 external and 1 internal used solely for backup purposes?

I am truly a believer in backups, stored on different drives using different programs. The drive for which I asked the question is a new one that I plan on unplugging and storing in a safe place......maybe even my bank deposit box.

For my other backup drives, I use a mixture of partitions and folders. So I was wondering what other users did.......thus my question.

Thanks for your responses......

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BB
http://barrypatch.net

While I DO use partitions you should be fine with folders. It is really personal preference. In the past I did so much multiple booting that I sort of came to think of partitions as folders on steroids. It is just my preference. I WILL say that just to keep Windows Explorer/File Manager less cluttered as to the drive list I do just use one partition of my data drive for images with both Acronis and Windows Imaging. Still it IS a partition. One of these days I'll throw in another internal to dedicate strictly to images.

Anyway, I use partitions for my convenience, not due to any need to do so. You are fine with folders. I know that Acronis will allow the setting of a folder as the storage but am not sure about Macrium; I would assume that Macrium does also. Windows Imaging just allows the selection of a drive, not a folder, but, since it creates a folder for the backup on its own it boils down to the same thing.

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Most excellent plan and you are very welcome.

-steve

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stephen boots
Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020
"Life's always an adventure with computers!"

We have had significant discussions in the past about partitions and it really is personal preference. I like them and use them because of the isolation they provide and how tidier it is for things like defragmentation. In this case,, however, either will work.

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Best regards,
Manny Carvalho
MS-MVP since 2002