Windows partition sector by sector or normal backup

Dear Bob!

Thank you for your question and let me help you with it!

In your case I would advise you to use simple full backup instead of the sector-by-sector mode as far as it is required only in case you partition is corrupted or cannot be identified (belongs to unsupported OS, for instance). Sector-by-sector mode will take much more space as well as far as it is backing us all the space, including empty one, when simple backup takes the image only of the used sectors.

The sector-by-sector method allows you to create an image of all sectors of the selected partition. This image will contain not only sectors with data but also sectors that are empty. As a result, this image will be equal in size to the disk being imaged, as there will be no data compression. This method is useful if a partition being backed up is not supported by the Acronis product or is corrupted. In this case, all sectors of this partition are included in this image and will be restored.

I would appreciate if you could kindly let me know whether there is still something confusing you or you have any further concerns - I will be glad to help you!

Thank you!