Problem migrating the system drive from my source NVMe to a new target NVMe: “The external backing provider is not recognized.”

Windows 11 Pro 21H2, OS Build 22000.2538
Beelink MiniPC, SER5 Pro, AMD Ryzen 5700U

OVERVIEW
I’ve been trying to migrate from my original 500GB system NVMe drive to a new 1TB NVMe. I’m using DiskGenius FREE. The operation completes and I swap the two drives. Everything looks good, but when I try to open Computer Management, Disk Management or some other “Windows Tools” on the new 1TB target drive I see this error message: The external backing provider is not recognized.



This is a large post. I apologize for that, but I think members who are willing and able to help me will appreciate as much up-front information as possible.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
1. Beelink installs a non-standard Win 11 Pro 64 on their MiniPCs. Online user comments suggest it’s a pared-down, de-bloated version. Maybe they de-bloated something important?

2. Perhaps the DiskGenius FREE software is the problem. I find it straightforward, quick and easy to use - and it seems to be a popular brand. I installed it on the C:\ partition of the original/source drive. Is it possible that running DiskGenius from the source/system partition (the partition being cloned) is causing this problem?

3. I do not use a Microsoft.com user account with this computer. I use a local account. Could that be a factor?

4. I set up two partitions on the source drive. C:\ is the system and D:\ is for Windows User folders: Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures. For the record, I did indeed relocate those User folders correctly. In each attempt, I cloned/migrated the entire 500GB drive onto the new 1TB drive. Could separating the User folders from the system partition cause this problem?

In the Disk Manager image below, the original 500GB source drive is Disk 0, and the new 1TB target drive as Disk 1. I kept partition sizes the same on both drives.



Beelink MiniPC: SER5 Pro 5700U
I purchased this tiny system about two months ago. 16-core AMD Ryzen 5700U processor with onboard AMD Radeon graphics and 16GB of Ram. The included system drive is a Phisen 500GB NVMe.

The system is still small and orderly. Mostly I’ve just been finding my way around in Win11 and setting things up to suit me. That’s taken a lot of effort and time, so I want to avoid any fresh installs.

The “Properties” windows for the source drive and target drive C:\ partitions indicate that the source system data is larger than is the data cloned to the target drive. FWIW, before I started any of this I analyzed both NVMe drives using Crystal Disk Info; both tested “GOOD 100%.”

#3 The two SYSTEM partition "Free Space" sizes should match, but they don't.


#4 The 'Used Space' and 'Free Space' on partitions C and E should match, but they don't.

I’ve tried cloning about ten times now:
1. DiskGenius “Hot Migration” method, which doesn’t require a reboot. 2. “Boot to WinPE” method, which shuts the system down and quickly reopens to a DiskGenius USB boot disk operation. 3. Tried making a DiskGenius USB Boot Disk and running the migration from that. The result is always the same. The data cloned to the target drive is smaller than the data on the source drive, and attempting to open Disk Manager and other “Windows Tools” on the new Target disk reports: The external backing provider is not recognized.

What is the “external backing provider” anyway?

The source and target Data partitions (D and F) do not match either. Per the image below, the Used Space on the target drive is slightly smaller than the Used Space on the original/source drive, which relates to the data-size disparity between source and target System partitions.


#5 The 'Used Space' and 'Free Space' on partitions D and F should match, but they don't.


Windows 11 In-place Upgrade (which failed)
I figured I could REPAIR the faulty target-drive’s operating system, so I downloaded and ran the 64-bit Windows 11 ISO file: Win11_23H2_English_x64v2.iso. After an hour the process said it was returning my system to its former settings. Wait, what?! Then it posted this message: We couldn't install Windows 11. We've set your PC back to the way it was right before you started installing Windows 11. Did Beelink install some “bootleg” OS on my new computer?

0x8007000D - 0x40021
The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase
with an error during SYSPREP_RESPECIALIZE operation



I searched partition C:\ on the original/source drive for all instances of diskmgmt.msc. I double-clicked each of the eight files I found. Each one opened Disk Management as expected. Then I swapped the new/target NVMe in as the system drive and searched partition C:\ on that drive. I double-clicked all eight diskmgmt.msc files, and all eight returned the error: The external backing provider is not recognized.




FWIW, others are experiencing this same problem, too. For example, here’s a Beelink SER5 Pro user describing the same problem a year ago. Unfortunately, none of the discussions I find ever result in a solution.

I’m just a long-time Windows user who is losing way too much time over this. I have no Windows expertise; my only knowledge is whatever I’ve picked up over the years fighting with, and frequently being defeated by my Windows computer(s). I’d be very grateful for guidance from this forum. Most of the solid Windows 10 solutions I’ve found online come out of TenForums.com. So I have high hopes for ElevenForum.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
1. Beelink installs a non-standard Win 11 Pro 64 on their MiniPCs. Online user comments suggest it’s a pared-down, de-bloated version. Maybe they de-bloated something important?

Don't think so

2. Perhaps the DiskGenius FREE software is the problem. I find it straightforward, quick and easy to use - and it seems to be a popular brand. I installed it on the C:\ partition of the original/source drive. Is it possible that running DiskGenius from the source/system partition (the partition being cloned) is causing this problem?

I have used it about 10 clones and they all worked

3. I do not use a Microsoft.com user account with this computer. I use a local account. Could that be a factor?

Nope

4. I set up two partitions on the source drive. C:\ is the system and D:\ is for Windows User folders: Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures. For the record, I did indeed relocate those User folders correctly. In each attempt, I cloned/migrated the entire 500GB drive onto the new 1TB drive. Could separating the User folders from the system partition cause this problem?

??

Why don't you try Macrium Reflect Free? See if it works better, it will do system clones that boot.
Can still get from here with instructions.

BUT first do the DISM commands from elevated command prompt for check health etc, and SFC /scannow afterwards

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

sdowney717 said:

Thanks, sdowney717 for your reply.

Why don't you try Macrium Reflect Free? See if it works better, it will do system clones that boot.
Can still get from here with instructions.

Click to expand...

The free version is no longer available. If you have it on your system(s) keep it safe. =] That's likely the last one you'll get.

sdowney717 said:

BUT first do the DISM commands for check heatlh etc, and SFC

Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - MajorGeeks

With Macrium Reflect Free Edition you'll be able to easily make an accurate and reliable image of your HDD or individual partitions. Using this image you can restore the entire disk, partition or...

www.majorgeeks.com

Click to expand...

I'm assuming the "DISM commands" are part of the Macrium Reflect Free program. No gots, and unless I'm missing something, the MajorGeeks page no longer provides any free Macrium download versions...

@sdowney717
You say you've used DiskGenius FREE ten times with no problems. Good to hear, as I like it and don't think it's the problem. QUESTION: Where did you install it? On the source C:\ system partition, where mine is installed?

BothHands said:

I'm assuming the "DISM commands" are part of the Macrium Reflect Free program.

Click to expand...

No, they are tools for your Windows from MS.
Same as SFC /Scannow but, will repair / replace if possible any damaged files.

This one is still free


This one is paid or sub

BothHands said:

@sdowney717
You say you've used DiskGenius FREE ten times with no problems. Good to hear, as I like it and don't think it's the problem. QUESTION: Where did you install it? On the source C:\ system partition, where mine is installed?

Click to expand...

I have used it countless times. It is excellent. I usually have it in the %programfiles% folder, but it shouldnt matter. I have also used the portable version and in winpe.

I dont know what the difficulty is with cloning on those machines.

I think this is the official image for installation on SER5

and instructions

Other idea, is clone the drives on a different PC

BothHands said:

@sdowney717
You say you've used DiskGenius FREE ten times with no problems. Good to hear, as I like it and don't think it's the problem. QUESTION: Where did you install it? On the source C:\ system partition, where mine is installed?

Click to expand...

just wherever it wants to go. When you clone from the running OS, it takes a system snapshot

Still free, I just downloaded it again

Flashorn said:

No, they are tools for your Windows from MS.
Same as SFC /Scannow but, will repair / replace if possible any damaged files.

Click to expand...

Thank you, @Flashorn. I know nothing about ANY of those, so I'll jump in and do some research.

Flashorn said:

This one is still free
View attachment 89273

This one is paid or sub
View attachment 89274

Click to expand...

Thanks a LOT. And apologies to @sdowney717. I stand corrected and appreciate you trying to point me in the right direction. Over a week ago I stumbled into that MajorGeeks download page based on recommendations by a YouTube computer guru. I was sure (yeah, not so much) the free version was no longer available there...and I was sure I had corroborated that fact via several sources. I don't know...must be losing my mind.

My 12-year-old Fujitsu laptop (Win7, my favorite) is on its last legs. I always shut down when not using any computer, but have kept the old gurl running 24/7 for more than a month for fear of it "going flat line forever" upon next shutdown. That really complicates my life because I use this laptop for everything. Bought the Beelink miniPC to fill the void, but as you can see by this thread, there's been a string of unexpected complications... So I don't know which way is UP lately. I appreciate the help from all who contribute to this thread.

sdowney717 said:

Still free, I just downloaded it again

Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - MajorGeeks

With Macrium Reflect Free Edition you'll be able to easily make an accurate and reliable image of your HDD or individual partitions. Using this image you can restore the entire disk, partition or...

www.majorgeeks.com

View attachment 89282

Click to expand...

Thanks, and Duh. I just downloaded it, too. If you read my reply to @Flashorn above you'll understand that I'm kinda "thrashing about" at this point. In over my head, but with help from you guys I'll get it done.

Been reading up on DOS command xcopy. Was going to try that to see if it would provide a true cloning where the source and target data match exactly. A result wherein I actually could use Disk Management, et al. But now that you and @Flashorn (and @SIW2 who snuck in when I wasn't lookin!) have provided me with basic awareness of DISM and other utilities, as well as a working copy of Marcrium Reflect FREE...man, I don't know which way to turn. Ah, but too many options is a Happy Problem. =D

Will go read SIW2's posts and see if they nudge me in one direction or another. Thanks!

sdowney717 said:

Other idea, is clone the drives on a different PC

Click to expand...

I have totally quit using back up software for backing up my M.2 or Sata drives. I know this is not the cheapest option, but I finally bought duplicators for both regular sata drives and M.2 drives, and extra M.2 and Sata drives to clone them to. Yes, as I said it’s not the cheapest route, but it works great, and fast. I just leave my destination drives in the duplicator all the time, so all I have to do is drop in my source drive and copy to it, it’s really simple fast and works great. Of course my M.2 is on a card, so it does make things a bit easier, than trying to get the M.2 off and back on a board.

SIW2 said:

I have used it countless times. It is excellent. I usually have it in the %programfiles% folder, but it shouldnt matter. I have also used the portable version and in winpe.

Click to expand...

Thank you, @SIW2. Mine is installed in C:\Program Files like yours, so I guess that's not the problem. I was wondering about the portable version. Don't know why it exists, and thought maybe it's intended to overcome whatever I'm dealing with here... Per your helpful remarks, I'll take another look at it.

SIW2 said:

I dont know what the difficulty is with cloning on those machines.

Click to expand...

I'm reading between the lines of your post. Are you saying that Beelink Minis are known to have problems with the cloning of drives? I sure hope that's not the case, but if it is, please tell me straight. This Beelink SER5 is under warranty and if there's a known issue I'll be exchanging emails with Beelink (in China, ugh) very soon. Somewhere in my research last week I stumbled into a Beelink Support Forum exchange where the Beelink rep suggested the User download an .ISO (or something?!) furnished via a Beelink Support link.

In retrospect, now I'm wondering if Beelink's "unique" Win11 OS is the problem...and they're going to expect me to lose all the Win11 restructing I've done so it makes sense to me (sort of). I hope it doesn't go that way.

Recall that the Windows 11 In-place Upgrade FAILED for me.
Does that not sound like the OS is the problem?

Thank you for your help.

SIW2 said:

I think this is the official image for installation on SER5

10.77 GB file on MEGA

mega.nz

and instructions

https://beelink.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com/%E9%80%9A%E7%94%A8/Install%20Windows%20System%20Tutoria.pdf

Click to expand...

Thanks very much for the installation image and instructions links. That's AMAZING! =O My head is spinning at the moment, but will jump into that in the next day or two.

BothHands said:

jump into that in the next day or two.

Click to expand...

Please take your time and breath. it's only a PC. I know it does sound like allot but,
if you take your time and read through, you should be able to Ask questions when
you're not sure about one or more steps. Lots of good people here with Allot of
Knowledge.

RD Mercer said:

I have totally quit using back up software for backing up my M.2 or Sata drives. I know this is not the cheapest option, but I finally bought duplicators for both regular sata drives and M.2 drives, and extra M.2 and Sata drives to clone them to. Yes, as I said it’s not the cheapest route, but it works great, and fast. I just leave my destination drives in the duplicator all the time, so all I have to do is drop in my source drive and copy to it, it’s really simple fast and works great. Of course my M.2 is on a card, so it does make things a bit easier, than trying to get the M.2 off and back on a board.

Click to expand...

Thank you, @RD Mercer. Something very similar to that was my intention, as well. I've had problems in the past with backups that don't restore(!!!). I thought buying a target drive for each of my source drives would simplify everything, increasing safety/effectivenss and making it extremely quick and easy to recover from a failed drive. Simply swap it out for its target-twin drive.

I've been struggling for nearly a week, trying to understand why I can't get a simple clone/migration done. In that time, the price of every drive I intended to purchase has increased sharply. Kinda BITES.

Flashorn said:

Please take your time and breath. it's only a PC. I know it does sound like allot but,
if you take your time and read through, you should be able to Ask questions when
you're not sure about one or more steps. Lots of good people here with Allot of
Knowledge.

Click to expand...

Point taken. Thanks.

I'm so far behind, though. I spent most of the past week experimenting and flailing, instead of getting my work done. I'm hoping somebody here knows what the persistant error message means. What causes it, and what I can do to overcome it.
I will work my way through the various suggestions I've received so far, and hopefully I'll discover what's wrong along the way.

BothHands said:

Thanks, and Duh. I just downloaded it, too. If you read my reply to @Flashorn above you'll understand that I'm kinda "thrashing about" at this point. In over my head, but with help from you guys I'll get it done.

Been reading up on DOS command xcopy. Was going to try that to see if it would provide a true cloning where the source and target data match exactly. A result wherein I actually could use Disk Management, et al. But now that you and @Flashorn (and @SIW2 who snuck in when I wasn't lookin!) have provided me with basic awareness of DISM and other utilities, as well as a working copy of Marcrium Reflect FREE...man, I don't know which way to turn. Ah, but too many options is a Happy Problem. =D

Will go read SIW2's posts and see if they nudge me in one direction or another. Thanks!

Click to expand...

if xcopy worked people would do that, but you dont read they use that.
If it did copy, it wont do it right as the drive likely wont boot missing something else

BothHands said:

In retrospect, now I'm wondering if Beelink's "unique" Win11 OS is the problem.

Click to expand...

I have three Beelink computers and the Windows 11 is just Windows 11. Have you looked in Device Manager to see if you have any problems with drivers. If not give Macrium a try. I prefer images instead of cloning because I've had trouble getting a cloned drive to boot.