How to solve OneNote for window 10 end of support switching? Back up failed

Question

Hi,

I'm using OneNote on Windows 10 using my personal account. This version is no longer supported.

I have tried switching to the new version by first following the instructions to back up my notes, but error message stating "Unable to create backup". I have tried the methods recommended in the Troubleshooting guide, e.g. sync all notes.... but still have the same error message.

Liora D does have a solution for the work account, not sure how to get in contact with her.

Can someone help?

Answer 1

Hi, Erichaser

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

Sorry for this unwanted experience that you're having. OneNote for Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025 and is moving to read-only, so you need to use the newer “OneNote app on Windows” to keep editing and syncing.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

Install and sign in to the newer OneNote app first (do not uninstall the old app yet).

Open the OneNote app on Windows (Microsoft Store version) and sign in with the same Microsoft account you use in OneNote for Windows 10. This confirms your notebooks are accessible in the supported app before you touch anything else.

Important: if you uninstall OneNote for Windows 10 too early, you can lose local cache data that was never fully synced.

Clear the two common causes of “Unable to create backup”, low space and oversized local backups.

The migration backup is stored locally, so low disk space can make the backup step fail. Free up space (remove large files, empty Recycle Bin) and try again.

Also, OneNote sync issues can be caused by large backup files. In OneNote (desktop), go to File > Options > Save & Backup, run Optimize All Files Now, and reduce the number of backup copies. This shrinks local storage pressure and helps both sync and backup complete.

If the backup still fails, recover what matters directly from the backup folders, then move it into your live notebook.

In the new OneNote app, use File > Info > Open Backups, then check these locations:

Windows 10: %AppData%\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Office.OneNote_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache

Look for Backup or Backup_UserInitiated, then open recent .one section files and move or copy pages back into your notebook. This works because it bypasses the failing “wizard” and uses the local recovery data it already created.

If you see sync warnings, fix sync first, then retry backup.

Backup failures during migration often mean OneNote detects unsynced content and cannot safely package it. Getting notebooks to “Up to date” removes that blocker.

Hope this helps. Feel free to get back if you need further assistance.

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