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Windows Backup error 0x80070020: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

Anonymous
2010-04-11T14:51:32+00:00

I recently bought a new Windows 7 computer after my old machine's hard drive crashed.  I ran the Windows backup a couple of weeks ago without any problems.  Now that I've finished restoring my pictures, music, documents and whatnot from my old machine's backup, I try to run Windows backup, and at the very end of the process, I get an error "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.  Error code 0x80070020."

Prior to the error, it goes through all of the following steps:

Creating a shadow copy

Preparing to backup [a whole bunch of files]

Backing up files

[a lot of files are listed]

Preparing to backup

Preparing the backup target

Creating a system image

Creating a shadow copy on the target disk L:

A system image was successfully created

The backup did not complete successfully.

And that's where I get the error.  I tried immediately after rebooting, without starting anything else, and got the same error.  I haven't been able to find anything about any similar problems here or anywhere else.  Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks,

Greg

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2010-04-12T14:49:03+00:00

**Hi GJR19,**Many programs can cause this issue to occur; the most common are antivirus programs and programs that perform real-time backups of system files.

 1. I suggest that you disable the Antivirus\Firewall temporarily and then check for the issue.

 Note: Please make sure that you enable the antivirus software after performing the test to keep your computer protected.

  1. The error message you are getting also applies to Microsoft updates in Windows7. You may have some bad updates that need to be resolved in order to fix this issue.

Please go through the below article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883825

  1. I would also suggest you to refer the below link that talks about a similar kind of issue you are experiencing and follow the steps provided by wornout99 on Monday, January 18, 2010 between 12:04 AM:

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7performance/thread/a4abfd13-edcd-44e5-b658-2440672f1f90

 Hope this helps.

Regards, Manasa P – Microsoft Support.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-01T05:33:43+00:00

    Hi,

    The Windows Backup 0x80070020 error is a sharing violation error, there is a file or files that have open handles to another process or processes that are locking the file or files from being copied by backup.

    someone I helped with this error had the issue with his C:\Users<Username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\index.datfile.

    I had to use Process Monitor to find out which file was actually locked. The only way I managed to resolve it was to create a selective backup to exclude the C:\Users<Username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookiesfolder with that persons permission.

    Just a note that it might not be that file that is locked, it could be any other file being backed up.

    The Process Monitor filters I used were:

    Command Line contains C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k SDRSVC

    Result is SHARING VIOLATION

    You can download Process Monitor from**here.**

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-05-16T03:25:47+00:00

    You need to go into your backup settings. When asked what you want to backup, select "Let me choose" rather than letting "Windows choose."  From the next screen, under "Data Files" you should see "Backup data for newly created users" near the top.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-05-03T18:42:46+00:00

    I have same problem...backup not completed because a file is in use with another program and error code 0x80070020. I'm running Windows 7 and MS Security Essentials.

    If I turn off MS Security Essentials this makes no difference. No change either by turning off the firewall.

    All Windows updates are installed and no error messages were seen during downloads or installations.

    I have read the link as suggested above to a post from "wornout" which suggests that a fix was found when "Backup data for newly created users" was UNCHECKED in backup settings. However, I can't find where or how to do this.

    Can someone advise please?

    Sheepy Leapy

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