Microsoft supplies a utility to copy the installation files to a USB key for installing to a netbook, yet a USB key cannot be used for Backup nor Create a Repair Disc. Is there any logic to this? Are there any plans to update Windows 7 to allow use of a USB key for these functions?

Microsoft supplies a utility to copy the installation files to a USB key for installing to a netbook, yet a USB key cannot be used for Backup nor Create a Repair Disc. Is there any logic to this? Are there any plans to update Windows 7 to allow use of a USB key for these functions? Hi RickWhen you create bootable installation media on a USB Flash Stick, this also includes the same repair and recovery options that are on a System Recovery Disc. There is no need to create a separate SRD.When you boot from DVD or USB installation media, after you select the language options, the next screen has the 'Repair your computer' option which takes you to the same screen with the same 5 recovery options that you get with a SRD. Startup Repair System Restore System Image Recovery Windows Memory Diagnostic Command PromptThese same options are also available on the (F8) Advanced Boot Options menu (Repair your computer).You cannot save a System Image on a flash drive, but you can save a file and settings backup.For a system image, it's always a good idea to save it to an external USB HDD.There are some websites that describe a way to create the SRD on a USB flash stick, but I have not had a chance to thoroughly test this yet.Hope this helps.Thank You for using Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

I know you can use the install media for Repair and Recovery, but if Micorsoft is going to enable installation via USB key then why not support the creation of a System Repair disc on a USB key and the ability to save a system image to USB? My Asus 1000HE netbook with Win 7 Home Premium and MS Office 2007 image is less than 8GB and will conveniently fit on a 16GB USB key to facilitate convenient system recovery. Or am I just confusing the situation by trying to use some logic?