Backup of Windows 8.1

You can use a 16 G or larger flash drive or a set of DVDs -- your choice, but the utility is called Dell Backup and Recovery.

Hi, It was a bit confusing as I wanted a restore disk of Windows 8.1 & associated files. I was spoilt for choice so I opted for bootable backup & reinstall disks. The other option is Backup which does the "full monty" kitchen sink I guess & wouldn't back up to a flash drive as it wasn't NTFS drive even after formatting the flash drive to NTFS it was no go to a flash drive only external hard drive. I used a 16 GB flash drives which was plenty as just over 7GB . Anyway I opted for the bootable backup & then a reinstall disks on the other drive. I was nosey and decided to look at both drives to see what was on them. To my surprise they are both the same with identical files, same size & both called "sysrecovery". Is this the contents of Windows 8.1& do I only need the 1 bootable pen drive to say restore the hard drive only. My data which is much larger is backed up weekly to a WD external 1TB hard drive so all I need is the operating system & drivers that came with the computer. Thanks Brims

I have nothing but questions. I have a Dell XPS8700.  From what I read in other forums (fora?) for Windows 8.1 running on a Dell computer, you can make "Reinstall Disks" either on disk (I used DVD and it required two; don't know if you can use CDs) or with a flash drive.  This feature will "Create a copy of your factory image in case of critical hardware failure". 

* QUESTION ONE: these are not bootable disks. If I have a "critical hardware failure" what's the procedure???

Another feature, "Bootable Backup" can create a rescue disk which will "include all of the necessary files that are needed to restore your computer back to its current state. The removable USB hard drive used to creat the bootable backup can also be used as a location to store your System Backups and Reinstall Disks contents from other computers."

I see this says I must use a USB Hard Drive -- for this operation, no thumb drives need apply.  Okay.

QUESTION TWO: So if I can make one of these with my most important applications already installed, it will make a system image that can restore so I don't have to reinstall everything, right?   I just want to confirm that I'm reading this correctly.

QUESTION THREE: So I figure maybe I can use my 2TB Seagate external USB drive, which has 1.6 TB free.  But when I click to use it, I get a warning that the entire drive will be erased.  What about the "System Backups and Reinstall Disks contents from other computers"?   Did they have to be added later? Or is this drive going to actually be dedicated to the backup for this Dell?