Why does System Image Backup fail?

Question

Win 10 Pro x64 version 22H2. Periodically, I run File History > System Image Backup > Create System Image to a 447 gb external drive that has up to 381 gb free, or has the last backup on it. Sometimes it runs fine and sometimes it fails early on, with the message below. The system drive it's backing up is 236 gb, with 203 gb current used. Usually, when it happens, I just delete the existing backup -- I have another -- and it runs ok. But sometimes it doesn't. My question is why does it fail and how to get around it. Thanks,

Answer 1

Thank you. Then I would continue using AOMEI.
If you wish you can try increasing the VSS size.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-serve... once done try running backup with the Windows image backup again.

Answer 2

I used AOMEI to create an image. It worked, no errors.

Answer 3

Thank you. As the backup feature is deprecated it will start to have bugs, this is why I recommended Macrium to see if this also shows the VSS error.

Answer 4

The beginning of my OP answers your questions. I use SyncBack Pro for files backup, but I like to have an image around that can be used in case of need. Yes, backing up has been deprecated with Win 10 (vs. Win 8 & earlier), but it still should work.

Answer 5

Hello, I’m Virginia, a fellow user like yourself.

Sorry to hear you’re experiencing problems. May I ask which Windows 10/11 build are you running - 21H2 or 22H2?

It may be that as shown in the screenshot there isn’t enough space on the drive for both the backup & the volume shadow copy.

Have you tried with a third party drive imaging software to see if the error remains?

Windows has Windows backup & restore but this is a deprecated feature so may have problems.

If Windows 8/8.1 backup & restore is not working for you in windows 10/11then you may have to consider moving to third party solutions or use File History & OneDrive which just backs up certain files & folders.

Of the two I would recommend disc imaging software.

I use Macrium Home but there is a free version still:

https://updates.macrium.com/Reflect/v8/getmsi.a... (64bit)

https://updates.macrium.com/Reflect/v8/getmsi.a... (32bit/x86)

This is a direct download of the older free version due to Macrium no longer offering a free option with ver 8.1.

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products).

Please do not download any repair tool which may be offered by this site other than the ones I mention/recommend.

Thoroughly research any product which is mentioned here before you decide to download and install it.