"Windows 7 Backup Stuck at 97% or 57% | 2024 Solutions"

Windows 7 includes a built-in Backup and Restore feature that enables you to create system images and back up your files for data protection. However, you might encounter an issue where the Windows 7 backup gets stuck at 97%, 57%, or occasionally 8% during the backup process, which can be quite frustrating.

Don't worry! This post will uncover some possible reasons behind this issue and provide effective solutions to resolve it. Just keep reading to discover the answers you're looking for.

Possible Reasons Why Windows 7 Backup Gets Stuck at 97%

There could be several reasons why Windows 7 backup gets stuck at 97%. Some of the most common causes include:

• The backup destination is full
• The system image is too large
• The hard drive is corrupted
• The backup process is interrupted
• Bad sectors on the destination drive
• Other programs lock the backup process

All the above factors may lead to your Windows 7 Backup getting stuck at 97%, 57%, or 8%.

How to Solve the Windows 7 Backup Stuck at 97% Issue - 5 Solutions

If you're uncertain which of these issues is causing your problem, you can attempt each solution below and check if it resolves the issue.

Solution 1: Temporarily Disable Firewall

Step 1. In the Windows Defender Firewall window, click on "Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off" in the left-hand pane.

Step 2. For both the Private network settings and Public network settings options, select "Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)".

Step 3. Click on "OK" to confirm your modifications.

Fix 2: Check if the Backup Disk Space is Full

Checking Disk Space:

Step 1. Go to "This PC" > Right-click on the system partition (usually the C drive) > Choose "Properties."

Step 2. In the Properties window, under the General tab, you can view the amount of free space and used space for this particular partition. If there isn't sufficient free space, you'll need to delete some unimportant files to free up disk space.

Solution 3: Run SFC Scan to Fix Hard Drive Corruption

If corrupted system files are present on your hard drive, it can also lead to the Windows 7 backup getting stuck at 97%. In such a scenario, you need to run a System File Checker (SFC) scan to rectify the problem. You can find more information about SFC and CHKDSK in this link.

Step 1. Type "cmd" in the search bar, then right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator".

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.

This will scan all protected system files and replace any corrupted ones with a cached copy found in a compressed folder at WinDir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. Once the scanning process is complete, restart your computer to see if the issue of Windows 7 backup hanging at 97% has been resolved.

You might also be interested in: SFC is not working to fix corrupted files on Windows 10

Fix 4: Perform a Clean Boot

If any third-party programs or services interfere with the backup process, you might also encounter a Windows 7 backup getting stuck issue. In such a scenario, attempting a clean boot can help resolve the problem.

Step 1. Go to Start > Type "msconfig" in the search box and press Enter.

Step 2. In the System Configuration window, under the General tab, select "Selective startup."

Step 3. Deselect the Load startup items checkbox.

Step 4. Under the Service tab, check the "Hide all Microsoft services" checkbox, and then click on the "Disable all" button.

Fix 5: Restart Backup Process

If the backup process is interrupted, it may also result in Windows 7 backup getting stuck at 97%. To resolve this issue, you can attempt to restart the backup process.

Step 1. Go to Start, type "Backup and Restore" in the search box, and press Enter.

Step 2. In the Backup and Restore window, click on "Set up backup" to open the Backup Wizard.

Step 3. Choose a storage location where you want to save the backup file, and then click "Next".

Step 4. Select what you want to backup and then click on "Next".

Step 5. Click on "Change schedule" to configure a schedule for the backup.

Step 6. Click on "Save settings and run backup" to initiate the backup process.

You may also be interested: Windows 7 Backup and Restore Blank Screen (Not Working)

Windows Backup and Restore Alternative – Backup Your Windows with Ease

Alright, here's the translation in American English: Suppose you're not sure about the exact reason for the issue; going through those methods one by one can be pretty time-consuming and exhausting. In that case, you might wanna give an alternative to Windows Backup and Restore a shot, called Tiny Memo Backup. It's a free backup software that lets you easily and quickly back up your data, system, and partitions with just a few clicks. With this tool, you won't have to deal with backups freezing or getting stuck at 97% anymore.

Aside from full backups, it also supports differential and incremental backups. Backup and Restore only backs up files and systems to local and external drives; however, with tools like Todo Backup, you can save backups to NAS, cloud storage, and local drives.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Todo Backup to create a file backup: 1. **Download and Install Todo Backup**: First, visit the official website of Todo Backup and download the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Install the software following the on-screen instructions. 2. **Launch Todo Backup**: After installation, double-click the Todo Backup icon on your desktop or find it in your Applications folder to open the program. 3. **Select Backup Type**: Upon opening the software, you'll see different backup options. Choose "File Backup" as it allows you to back up individual files and folders. 4. **Choose Source Files**: In the next window, click "Add File" or "Add Folder" to select the files and folders you want to back up. You can navigate through your computer's directories to locate the desired items. 5. **Set Destination**: Decide where you want to save the backup. You can choose an external hard drive, USB drive, network location, or cloud storage (if supported). Click "Browse" to select the destination folder. 6. **Customize Backup Settings**: Todo Backup offers additional settings like scheduling backups, creating incremental or differential backups, and enabling compression. You can explore these options and configure them according to your needs. 7. **Start the Backup Process**: Once you've set all the parameters, click "Backup Now" to initiate the backup process. The time taken will depend on the size of the files being backed up and the speed of your storage device. 8. **Monitor Backup Progress**: Todo Backup will display a progress bar during the backup, allowing you to monitor the status. Wait until the process completes. 9. **Verify Backup**: After the backup is finished, it's a good idea to verify its integrity by checking if the backed-up files are accessible and intact. 10. **Schedule Future Backups (Optional)**: If you want to automate future backups, go back to the main interface and click "Schedule." Configure the frequency, time, and other settings as desired. Remember to keep your backup media secure and up-to-date to ensure the safety of your important files.

Step 1. Click the "Select backup contents" button to initiate the backup process.

Step 2. There are four data backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail. Click on File.

Step 3. Both local and network files will be listed on the left. You can expand the directory to select the files to back up.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions and select the destination where you want to save the backup.

Click "Options" to encrypt the backup with a password under "Backup Options", set the backup schedule, and choose to initiate the backup at a specific event under "Backup Scheme". You can also explore various other options to customize the backup task as per your requirements.

Step 5. You can save the backup to a local drive, the tool's cloud service, or a NAS device.

Step 6. Todo Backup allows users to back up data to both third-party cloud drives and its own cloud drive.

If you want to back up data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive, scroll down to add a Cloud Device, then add and log in to your account.

You can also opt for the tool's proprietary cloud drive. Click on Tools Cloud, sign up with your Tool Account, and log in.

Step 7. Click "Backup Now" to initiate the backup process. Once the backup is complete, it will be displayed as a card on the left side of the panel. Right-click on the backup task to manage it further.

Sum Up

The issue of Windows 7 backup getting stuck at 97% or 57% can arise due to several reasons, including insufficient disk space for backup, damaged system files, or interference from third-party programs or services during the backup process. To resolve this problem, you can attempt the solutions provided in this article sequentially. If you're uncertain which solution would work for you or prefer not to try each one individually, you can opt for a Windows Backup and Restore alternative - Todo Backup. This tool enables you to effortlessly back up your files with just a few simple clicks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Windows 7 Backup Stuck at 97% or 57%

1. Why does my backup get stuck at 97%?

There could be several reasons why a backup might get stuck at 97%, 57%, 8%, or any other percentage. Possible causes include the backup files being locked by other running programs, insufficient storage space on your device, or the presence of bad sectors on your system disk.

2. How long should a Windows 7 backup take?

The backup time to create a system image for Windows 7 depends on the size of your system. Generally, it may take 1 to 2 hours, or even longer.

3. Why does my Windows 7 backup keep failing?

Many issues can contribute to this problem. It could be due to corrupted backup files, or the Backup and Restore feature might be affected by malware or viruses. Occasionally, it might be caused by an incompatible storage device.

4. Does Windows 7 backup still function with Windows 10?

The Windows 7 Backup and Restore feature is accessible in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. To locate it on your Windows 10/11 system, follow this pathway: Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7)