Windows Backup failed to get an exclusive lock on the EFI system partition (ESP) - Symantec Endpoint Protection

Question

Hello everyone.

I have 30 odd Windows 10 & Windows 2019/2022 Servers that get this error randomly when performing a Bare Metal backup using Windows Backup to internal and external hard drives.

Error: Windows Backup failed to get an exclusive lock on the EFI system partition (ESP)
If I re-run the backup immediately. It works fine 9 times out of 10. Anyone else having the same issue?
Kind regards
Jesse

Answer 1

Hi JesseFlintoff-4117,

The error ‘Windows Backup failed to get an exclusive lock on the EFI partition (ESP)’ usually occurs when there’s an application that is denying access of the process.

The error generally occurs when it is denied the required access typically if you are not using an administrator account. However, if you are using an administrator account and still facing the issue, then in such a case, it can be due to the following factors:

Third-party applications: In some cases, the error can be due to the third-party applications running on your system.
Windows Defender or Antivirus: If you are facing the said issue, it can be due to the restrictions imposed by the Windows Defender or your third-party antivirus.
Windows Backup Service: Lastly, the error can also emerge if a certain Windows backup service is using the wrong log on user.

I hope this answers your question.

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Answer 2

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Answer 3

Final solution...in backup settings...choose "Let me choose", rather than "recommended" Windows settings. Hope this works for you!

Answer 4

I have the same problem. Do you finally solve it?

Answer 5

In Windows Server 2022 some users have this problem.

This workaround seem to work (read the whole post before applying):

1. In Task Scheduler go to Task Scheduler Library -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Backup -> Properties -> Settings and Check the box “Allow task to be run on demand”
2. Open cmd and type this command: schtasks /create /F /RU SYSTEM /RL HIGHEST /SC onevent /EC Application /MO "*[System[Provider[@Name='Microsoft-Windows-Backup'] and (EventID=517)]]" /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Backup\Retry_Backup" /TR "schtasks /run /tn \"Microsoft\Windows\Backup\Microsoft-Windows-WindowsBackup\""

PS: EventID in the command refere to the Event ID you can see in Event Viewer when the backup task fail. If this is NOT 517 (fail to get exclusive lock on EFI), then this workaround might not be the one for you.