Problem Using Windows Backup and error code 0X800001

Question

I have been using Windows Backup and Restore for years with no issues. I use Windows 11 and it is current. Once a month I back up my files to an external hard drive. When I went to do it yesterday it came up with an issue and the error code 0X80001. I researched it and it said it had to do with the hard drive either with the drive itself or available space. I checked the drive for errors and it had plenty of space available. After failing again I switched it out for another unused portable hard drive with plenty of space and did also check for errors. No issues found but the backup failed again. Despite the code being for a problem with the drive the backup error pop-up mentioned an internal error. I have fun sfc, chkdsk and DISM restore health. I went into the registry and changed a couple of listings as recommended. Nothing seems to have worked. I have looked everywhere online and checked numerous forums and videos with no luck. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Hello Jason Perrotti,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

May I have if you have tried the AI assistant suggestion yet? If you did, may I know how it goes?

Before we proceed further, may I have a photo of the issue and the registry line you change to check for you? Please remember to remove all personal information from the photos before posting.

I'm waiting for your reply.

Answer 2

This is what I get from the command window:

Volume in drive C is OS

Volume Serial Number is [Removed PII]

Directory of C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache

03/03/2026 08:37 PM <JUNCTION> Content.IE5 [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\IE]

           0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Total Files Listed:

           0 File(s)              0 bytes

           1 Dir(s)  290,250,805,248 bytes free
```But I am unable to find anything once I get to config, when I click on it it is emply.

Answer 3

Error code 0x80070001 (often shown as 0X800001 by mistake) with Windows Backup is commonly caused by a reparse point (junction/mount point) inside the folders or libraries being backed up. Windows Backup does not correctly handle certain reparse points, so the backup fails even when the external drive is healthy and has enough space.

To work around this, remove the problematic reparse point from what is being backed up, then reconfigure the backup:

1. Identify reparse points (junctions) under the folders you are backing up
   1. Open Start, type CMD, and press Enter.
   2. In the Command Prompt window, run:

            DIR /AL /S
      

   3. This lists items of type JUNCTION (a kind of reparse point) and where they point.
2. Remove any reparse point that is directly included in the backup
   1. In File Explorer, browse to each folder shown as a junction in the DIR output that is inside the scope of your backup (for example, inside Documents, Pictures, or any library you selected in Backup and Restore).
   2. Right‑click the junction folder and select Properties.
   3. On the General tab, confirm the Type is Mounted Volume (or a similar reparse/junction type).
   4. Delete this junction folder (this removes the reparse point, not the target data on the other volume).
3. Adjust what Windows Backup backs up
   • If the reparse point points to another drive or special location that you still want to protect, do not include the junction itself in the library or backup selection.
   • Instead, in the Windows Backup configuration UI, explicitly select the real (absolute) path of that location on its own volume as part of the backup.
4. Run the backup again
   • Re‑run the Backup and Restore wizard and start a new backup to the external drive.
   • With the reparse point removed from the library/selection, the backup should complete without the 0x80070001/“internal error” failure.

This behavior is by design: Windows Backup normally skips reparse points, but if a reparse point or one of its child folders is directly added to a Windows 7/11 library or backup selection, Backup will traverse it and can fail in exactly this way.

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References:

• Windows backup or restore errors 0x80070001, 0x81000037, or 0x80070003
• Back up and restore with Windows Backup