7 Swift Solutions for Windows Backup Failed to Obtain an Exclusive Lock

Windows comes equipped with numerous excellent built-in utilities and tools. This is what renders it the predominant operating system utilized in households, enterprises, schools, and various other settings. However, it is not without its issues; in fact, some might argue that it has quite a few.

One prominent issue is the Windows Backup not functioning properly, and it displays an error message stating "Windows Backup failed to obtain an exclusive lock". This error might be perplexing to those unfamiliar with IT. However, there are numerous reasons behind this occurrence.

Today, we're going to delve into the essence of this error. Afterwards, we'll explore several solutions to assist you in resolving this issue. So, let's commence.

Problem: Windows Backup Failed to Obtain an Exclusive Lock [Windows 10 and Windows Server]

"Windows Backup failure to obtain an exclusive lock" is an irritating problem. It leads to the cessation of large backup processes and provokes considerable annoyance and frustration among Windows users. This error typically manifests when there are underlying issues at play.

Therefore, it's crucial to identify the problem first to comprehend how to resolve it. This is why it's essential to acknowledge that there could be numerous factors underlying this issue, including:

• Third-party applications: Applications from third parties running on your system that might interfere with the internet connection or direct communication with your storage devices.
• Windows Backup Service: The issue could be caused by the Windows Backup service itself, such as incorrect login credentials or the user not being recognized by Windows.
• Windows Defender or Antivirus: Occasionally, Windows Defender might falsely identify threats on your files and storage, leading it to stop the backup service.
• Bad or slow internet connection: A poor or slow internet connection is one of the most common reasons for backup failures. Check your internet connection before attempting the backup again.
• Another app or program: A prevalent cause of this error is when another application consistently occupies the EFI system partition. Therefore, you should close all third-party apps.

These are the most common reasons behind the error of Windows Backup failing to obtain an exclusive lock. Consequently, you need to ensure that none of these factors are interfering with your backup process.

How to Resolve the Issue of "Windows Backup Failed to Obtain an Exclusive Lock"

In this section, we will discuss effective solutions that can help you resolve the "Windows backup failed to get an exclusive lock" error. These are remedies that have been tested and validated by the Windows community, so there is a high likelihood that one of them will solve your problem. Let's begin:

1. Solution 1. Close All Other Applications
2. Solution 2. Restart Your Computer
3. Solution 3. Reboot Your PC into Safe Mode
4. Solution 4. Operating with an Administrator Account
5. Solution 5. Uninstall Unnecessary Applications
6. Solution 6. Changing Log On User
7. Solution 7. Use a Reliable Windows Backup Alternative to Fix It

Solution 1. Close All Other Applications This is the translation of the given text into English: Option 1: Close All Other Applications

In this section, you will be closing all other applications prior to restarting your backup process. Hence, it's crucial to make sure that your taskbars are empty and no other programs are running. To verify this, please follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + X on your keyboard 2. Find and click Task Manager

• Navigate to the Processes tab

1. Close all applications in the "Apps" category. 2. Done.

As previously mentioned, Windows Backup may be disrupted by any applications utilizing the EFI partition system. Hence, terminating any third-party apps running in this Task Manager section will prevent them from interfering with the backup process.

Solution 2: Restart Your Computer

A lot of times, the issue is simple and just requires restarting your computer. Sometimes, a specific service within Windows needs to be restarted for the backup to complete. So, you can easily restart your computer by following these steps:

• Press Windows + X
• Find and click on the Shutdown or sign-out option

1. Press the Restart button when the menu appears. 2. Wait for the PC to restart. 3. Finished.

This will restart your computer and restart any associated services necessary for a seamless backup process. However, you must still make sure to disable all third-party applications after the restart.

Solution 3: Restart Your PC into Safe Mode

Another feasible solution to address this issue is by rebooting your PC into Safe Mode. However, to enable the Safe Mode with Networking option, you need to follow a few steps prior to manually restarting your computer. Here's how:

• Press Windows + R, then type MSConfig in the Run command.

1. Navigate to the Boot tab. 2. Under Boot options, enable the Safe boot option. Following that, click on Network.

• Completed

After applying the settings, restart your computer, and it will boot into Safe Mode with Networking. Next, attempt to run the backup service again.

Solution 4: Operating with an Administrator Account

If your account has administrative privileges, you must run the backup using those rights. However, to verify that your account is indeed an administrator account, please follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows button and type "Control Panel" in the search field. 2. Navigate to User Accounts. 3. Verify your account type.

• Completed

Once you've done this, try running your backup as an administrator, as this should likely resolve the issue.

Solution 5: Uninstall Unnecessary Applications

There may be instances when unnecessary or undesirable applications could interfere. In such cases, a good approach is to uninstall them and reinstall them following the backup process. This issue is often triggered by third-party protection or antivirus software. To locate and uninstall these apps, you should follow these steps:

1. Open Control Panel once again 2. Navigate to Programs and Features 3. Click on Uninstall a program 4. Locate and uninstall any programs that you may no longer need or are unsure about.

• Completed

If any program or tool is indeed causing an issue, this should prevent that from happening again. Afterward, try to back up your files again.

Solution 6: Changing the Log On User

Once again, your user might not have sufficient privileges to ensure a smooth backup process. To resolve this, you can attempt to log in with an administrator account. Here's how you can do that: by trying to log in using an administrator account.

If that doesn't work, attempt to ask the local administrator to grant your account administrative privileges. This will ensure a smooth backup process and prevent the issue with acquiring an exclusive lock from reoccurring.

Solution 7. Utilize a Reliable Windows Backup Alternative to Resolve the Issue

If none of the aforementioned steps prove effective, it's likely that Windows Backup itself is malfunctioning, and it would be best to explore other options. In this scenario, you can opt for a reliable alternative, such as a third-party professional tool like tools Todo Backup Home.

This exceptional backup tool possesses all the essential capabilities to function as an excellent backup and restore solution. It does not encounter issues like Windows Backup failing to obtain an exclusive lock. Moreover, it is packed with remarkable features, including:

• Backup your entire system and data to a cloud drive
• Effortlessly create a system image
• Install Windows on the new SSD without using a USB
• Provides an impressive 250GB of free cloud storage
• Clone your entire hard drive with professional-grade efficiency

These factors make it a feasible solution, considering that you can also repair your system. Hence, instead of attempting to use Windows Backup, you can follow these steps to create a backup using this utility:

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup and choose "Create Backup" on the main interface, then click "Select backup contents".

Step 2. Since you want to back up your disk, simply click "Disk" to begin the backup process.

Step 3. Todo Backup provides you with options. You can choose to back up an entire disk or a specific partition as needed. Then, click "OK".

Step 4.  Choose the destination where you want to save the backup. You can opt to save the disk to a local drive or to a NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device.

Step 5. Click "Backup Now". After the backup process is completed, you can right-click on any one of the tasks to further manage your backup, such as recovering it or creating an incremental backup, etc.

The Bottom Line

Here are some of the primary troubleshooting methods to prevent the "Windows Backup Failed to get an exclusive lock" error. We discussed various solutions and the potential reasons behind this backup feature malfunctioning.

However, it's recommended to refrain from using Windows backup and opt for a reliable backup solution like Todos Backup Home – primarily because it eliminates the inconvenience and guarantees a seamless backup and restore process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Have more questions? Let's try to address them.

1. What is the EFI System Partition?

The EFI System Partition is a storage area on your computer that employs the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware. Simply put, it enables the storage device to boot and run your operating system, such as Windows 10 or 11, among others.

2. What to do if Windows Backup fails to obtain an exclusive lock on the EFI System Partition (ESP)?

One simple solution to these issues is to try using an administrator account. If that doesn't work, we've explored six additional fixes in this article. However, a more efficient choice might be to utilize a third-party tool like Todo Backup Home.