"Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully - How to Resolve?"

Scenario: Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully

As a Windows user, you likely appreciate the significance of creating backups. Using the Backup and Restore feature in Windows 7, you can safeguard your system files and set up a system restore point. These backup files come in handy when faced with data loss, hard drive failure, or virus infections. However, there are instances when Windows fails to create a backup, resulting in an error message like "Windows backup did not complete successfully". In such cases, you can click on "Options" to view more detailed error information.

Causes of "Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully"

The issue "Windows backup did not complete successfully" is attributed to a specific cause. It could result from technical problems with the storage media designated for saving backup data, issues with the data itself, or complications with the file system. Here are a few possible reasons behind this error:

• Data corruption. If the data you want to back up is corrupted or inaccessible, Windows backup may not succeed.
• Malware or virus attacks. Due to malware or viruses, Windows backup might fail.
• Failure of source or target drive. Issues with your devices, internal disk, or backup drive can lead to a failed Windows backup. For example, if your backup hard drive is damaged, Windows won't be able to complete the backup.
• Inadequate drive space. Windows might not finish the backup due to insufficient available storage space on the backup drive.

Aside from the aforementioned reasons, timeouts when transferring data to an external drive and I/O device errors can also be culprits for the issue.

Solutions to "Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully"

To address the Windows backup failure, you can choose one or more of the following solutions based on the specific details you uncover. Below are four methods you can employ to resolve the issue:

Solution 1: Check the Disk Step 1: Open "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop. Step 2: Locate the drive that you suspect has issues, usually labeled as C:, D:, E:, etc. Step 3: Right-click on the drive and select "Properties." Step 4: In the Properties window, click on the "Tools" tab. Step 5: Under the "Error checking" section, click on "Check." Step 6: If prompted, choose to schedule a disk check for the next restart or proceed with the check if the option is available immediately. Step 7: Restart your computer and wait for the disk check process to complete. Step 8: Once finished, check if the issue persists. Note: If the "Check" button is greyed out, try accessing the Command Prompt with administrative privileges and run the following command: ``` chkdsk /f /r C: ``` Replace "C:" with the drive letter that needs to be checked. This command will fix any file system errors and attempt to recover readable data from bad sectors.

Execute the disk check and repair command for both the backup source and destination disk. You can run the command 'chkdsk C: /f' in the Command Prompt to check your C drive. On the C drive, right-click on the partition, then navigate to Properties > Tools > Error checking.

Fix 2: Check the Connection

Ensure that your computer and backup disk are securely connected. Any loose connection between your computer and the backup drive will interfere with the data transfer process, resulting in a timeout. You can utilize Disk Management to confirm the online status of your backup drive.

Fix 3: Scan Your Computer with Antivirus Software

Thoroughly scan your computer with antivirus software, then eliminate any suspicious files. To prevent any potential computer virus or malware attack from compromising the files or file systems designated for backup, you can employ robust antivirus software.

Fix 4: Delete Old Backups

Try backing up again after you delete old backups or shadow copies. This can free up space for the new backup.

The Best Method to Backup Windows 11/10/8/7 PC

Upon experiencing issues with Windows backup, such as a Windows 10 backup taking too long or getting stuck, have you ever wondered, "Is Windows backup reliable?" Generally, Windows backup can cater to your basic backup requirements but might lack certain expected features. If you're seeking more advanced backup options and wish to avoid the aforementioned Windows backup problems, the best approach to backing up your Windows computer is to utilize professional backup software, like Todo Backup, for instance.

Todo Backup Home is an exceptional utility in the realm of backup and recovery. This backup software operates seamlessly on Windows 11/10/8/7 and provides a wide range of backup options. It enables you to automatically back up files, system, disks, partitions, and more. It even allows you to back up Minecraft Worlds, ensuring you can restore your cherished game if any issues arise. Here are some additional features of this backup tool:

• Install Windows on new SSDs without using a USB.
• 250GB of free cloud storage.
• Backup SSD to an image file.
• Create full, incremental, and differential backups.
• Reinstall Windows without losing games.
• Save backups to various locations.
• Create an ISO image of a hard drive.
• Security Zone to safeguard critical data from ransomware.

You can follow the steps below to back up your Windows computer:

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer, and click Create Backup on the home screen. Then, hit the big question mark to select backup contents.

Step 2. To back up your Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup task.

Step 3. Your Windows operating system information and all system-related files and partitions will be automatically selected, so you don't need to make any manual selections at this stage. Next, you need to choose a location to save the system image backup by clicking on the highlighted area.

Step 4. The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, network, cloud, or NAS. Generally, we recommend using an external physical drive or cloud to store the system backup files.

Step 5. If you wish, you can customize settings such as enabling an automatic backup schedule for daily, weekly, monthly, or on specific events, and creating differential and incremental backups by clicking on the Options button. Once done, click "Backup Now" to initiate the Windows system backup process. The completed backup task will be displayed on the left side in a card format.

Final Thoughts

When faced with the "Windows backup did not complete successfully" issue, don't worry. You can attempt any of the methods outlined in this article to address the problem. In my opinion, while Windows backup caters to basic backup requirements, it's advisable to utilize a professional backup tool like Todo Backup to ensure efficient backup of your Windows computer.

Todo Backup Home is an unparalleled backup solution for you. It overcomes the limitations of built-in Windows backup programs and provides more backup options. Don't hesitate to use this powerful backup and recovery software!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Why does it say Windows 11 backup was not completed successfully?

If you encounter issues like Windows backup not finishing, the issue might lie with the storage device or the file designated for backup. Malware or virus attacks, as well as corrupted or inaccessible files, can prevent the computer from completing the backup process.

2. Why isn't my Windows Backup functioning properly?

To resolve the issue with Windows Backup not working, ensure that the automatic file backup utility within the Backup and Restore feature is enabled. This will automatically back up any new files. If it's disabled, you might encounter a Windows backup error.

3. How long should a Windows backup take?

Depending on the amount of data or the size of the machine, the Windows backup or restoration process usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes to complete.

4. How do I check the progress of a Windows backup?

Right-click on a File History folder to access its properties. If the backup process is in progress, a progress indicator and details about the file size will be displayed on the screen.