Windows 7 Searching tool to create a minimum (!) backup archive from bootable USB stick?

Peter, it's understandable that you're looking for a more efficient way to create a backup of your USB flash drive without unnecessarily creating a large archive file. While tools like "USB Image Tool" may create an image file that reflects the full capacity of the USB stick, there are other methods and tools available that can help you achieve a more condensed backup size. One approach you can consider is using dedicated backup tools that offer compression features. These utilities can archive and compress the data from your USB flash drive, resulting in a smaller backup file compared to a raw image copy. Here are a few tools and methods you can explore: 1. Windows Built-in Backup Tool: - Windows Backup and Restore: You can use the built-in backup feature of Windows to create a system image that includes all the contents of your USB flash drive. This process can compress the data to reduce the overall size of the backup. 2. Third-Party Backup Software: - Macrium Reflect, Acronis True Image, or EaseUS Todo Backup: These tools offer advanced backup options, including compression settings that can help reduce the size of the backup file while retaining all necessary data. 3. Disk Imaging Software with Compression: - Clonezilla: This open-source disk imaging tool can create compressed images of drives, including USB flash drives. It provides options for compression to reduce the backup size. 4. Custom Backup Script: - You can also create a custom backup script using tools like robocopy (Robust File Copy) in Windows, combined with compression utilities like 7-Zip or WinRAR, to copy the contents of your USB flash drive and compress them into a smaller archive. By using these tools and methods, you should be able to create a more compact backup of your USB flash drive without the resulting file being as large as the drive's full capacity. Experiment with these options to find the one that best suits your requirements. If you need more specific guidance on using any of these tools or methods, feel free to ask!