Windows Backup Issue: Backup Process Stuck at 97%

The Windows Backup tool is an excellent built-in feature that assists regular users in understanding how to back up their computer to an external hard drive in Windows 11/10. However, occasionally the Windows backup process may freeze for hours without any indication of when it will complete.

If your Windows backup is stuck at 97%, 58%, or 12%, it might be caused by an issue with the file, and Windows is unable to determine how to proceed with the backup, hence the backup process being stuck.

To find out exactly why your Windows backup gets stuck, how to fix it, and how to prevent it from happening again, keep scrolling as we dive into the specifics.

Reasons for Windows Backup Getting Stuck

There are several reasons why your Windows backup might be stuck at 97%, or perhaps 57%, 12%, or even 8%.

When you initiate a backup of your PC, Windows backs up each file separately. The backup process might get stuck at 97% due to several reasons: an error within a file, the file being locked by other programs and thus inaccessible to Windows, the destination drive having insufficient storage space, or it could be caused by a few bad sectors on your system disk, which lead to the Windows backup freezing at 97%.

How to Resolve Windows Backup Stuck at 97%

1. Disable all startup programs

Step 1. Click on the magnifying glass icon on the taskbar and search for "System Configuration."

Step 2. In the System Configuration window, click on the "Startup" tab and then choose "Open Task Manager."

Step 3. Now, disable all the startup applications in the Startup tab by clicking the "Disable" button in the Task Manager window.

Step 4. Now, click on "OK," restart your computer, and run the backup of your PC again.

Once the backup of your PC is finished, you can reactivate the startup programs by following these steps: open System Configuration, then Task Manager, and finally, enable each startup application within the Startup tab.

2. Disable Windows Backup

Step 1. Click on the search icon and search for "Services" to open the Services utility.

Step 2. Right-click on "Windows Backup" and choose "Properties."

Step 3. In the "General" tab, change the Startup type to "Disabled," and then click the "OK" button.

Step 4. Restart your computer now and attempt to create the backup once more. Check if it works this time.

3. Check for disk errors

Step 1. Click on the Start button and search for the Command Prompt.

Step 2. Now select "Run as administrator."

Step 3. In the Command Prompt window, type `chkdsk C: /f /r /x` and press the Enter key. If you have multiple partitions and wish to check disk errors for each one, replace "C" with the respective drive letter of the partition, such as "E," "D," "F," and so forth.

Step 4. After that, type "Exit" and press the "Enter" key to close the command prompt.

You might be interested in: What Does Check Disk Do and How to Run CHKDSK

4. Temporarily disable Firewall and Antivirus programs

Sometimes, the firewall or your antivirus software can cause issues with specific actions on your Windows PC. It might even lead to errors with your backup task.

Therefore, temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus programs by following these steps:

Disable Antivirus:

Step 1. Click on the Windows button, and search for "Windows Defender Firewall."

Step 2. In the left-hand window pane, select "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall."

Step 3. Now, uncheck the antivirus application to disable your antivirus program.

Disable Firewall:

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

What to Try If Your Backup Won't Complete

Todo Backup is an award-winning backup software that enables you to create backups, generate system images, clone your hard drive, restore your computer to a virtual machine or different hardware from the original, and many more features.

Using Todo Backup, your backups will complete successfully, unlike Windows Backup which may freeze at 97% or 58%. You can now download the software from the button below and begin backing up with Todo Backup.

Step 1. To initiate the backup, click on Select backup contents.

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

Step 3. On the left-hand side, you'll see a list of local and network files. Expand the directory to select the files you want to back up.

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

Under Backup Options, click Options to encrypt the backup with a password, set the backup schedule, and decide whether to initiate the backup at a specific event in Backup Scheme. Numerous customizable features are available for you to explore, allowing you to tailor the backup process according to your unique needs.

Step 5. Backups can be stored on a local disk, in the tool's cloud service, or on a network-attached storage (NAS) device.

Step 6. Todo Backup enables users to back up their data to a third-party cloud drive or the company's proprietary cloud storage.

If you want to back up your data to a third-party cloud drive, choose Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device, and enter your account information.

You can also utilize the tool's built-in cloud storage service. Click on Tool Cloud, create an account using your Tool Account, and then log in to your account.

Step 7. To initiate a backup, select Backup Now. Once the backup process is successfully completed, it will be displayed as a card on the left-hand panel. For more detailed management of the backup job, right-click on it.

Todo Backup's free version comes equipped with numerous tools to cater to various backup needs. For an even wider range of tools, you can opt for the paid version.

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Tools Backup and Recovery Software

In order to create a backup and carry out a worry-free recovery, you require a software tool to assist you. Windows backup and recovery software fulfills this purpose.

Tips to Prevent the Issue from Recurring

There are several methods you can employ to prevent your Windows PC from becoming stuck during a backup process. You can opt to create a System Restore Point or a System Image. 1. **Creating a System Restore Point:** - A System Restore Point allows you to revert your computer's settings to a previous state if an issue occurs. To do this: - Press the `Windows key + R` to open the Run dialog. - Type `rstrui.exe` and press Enter to open System Restore. - Click on the "Next" button, then choose a restore point that was created before the backup issue started. - Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. 2. **Creating a System Image:** - A System Image is a complete backup of your hard drive, including the operating system, installed programs, and files. - Press the `Windows key + X` and select "Control Panel." - In the Control Panel, click on "System" and then "Backup and Restore." - Choose "Create a system image" and follow the prompts to save the image to an external drive or network location. - If your PC gets stuck during backup in the future, you can use this image to restore your system. By implementing these preventive measures, you can minimize the chances of your PC getting stuck during backups and ensure a smoother backup experience.

A restore point is basically a snapshot of driver files, the Windows registry, and essential system files. It doesn't include audio, video, images, or any other types of files. When an error occurs, users can leverage a restore point to revert the Windows registry, driver files, and critical system files back to their previous state.

On the other hand, a system image is a copy of the entire hard disk or partition. You can also create a system image to prevent Windows Backup from getting stuck again.

The system image is typically stored on a USB flash drive or a CD/DVD. In comparison to creating restore points, creating a system image is a more favorable choice since it backs up the entire drive, not just snapshots of crucial files.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How long should a Windows 10 backup take? A Windows 10 backup time can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as the amount of data you have, the speed of your storage devices, and your computer's processing power. Typically, a full system backup may take anywhere from a few hours to several hours if you have a large amount of data (e.g., thousands of files, applications, and a large system drive). If you're backing up only specific files and folders, the process will likely be faster. It's essential to keep your computer running during the backup process and avoid performing resource-intensive tasks to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted backup.

It depends on the size of your hard disk. It can sometimes finish backing up in just a few minutes, but it can also take several hours, depending on how big your drive is. However, anything over 2-3 hours isn't ideal.

2. Why does the Windows backup process take so long?

There could be a few reasons for this; either you have a large drive, or it might be due to an error in the file that is causing Windows to take longer to backup.

3. How long does it take to create a system image backup?

It should take no more than 10-20 minutes.

Final Thought: In conclusion, it is essential to acknowledge the power of perspective and the impact it has on our lives. Our thoughts shape our reality, and by adopting a positive and growth-oriented mindset, we can overcome challenges and seize opportunities. Remember, every situation presents a chance for learning and personal development. So, embrace each moment, stay resilient, and cultivate a final thought that inspires continuous improvement and happiness.

Microsoft has integrated its backup tool into Windows to safeguard your computer, but occasionally, it may encounter issues with corrupted files or files whose properties have been altered to the extent that they become unusable. In such cases, the Windows backup process might become stuck at 12%, 58%, or 97%.

All of these issues can be avoided in the future by regularly creating a restore point or a system image. Alternatively, you can opt for third-party backup software – tools like Todo Backup to help you complete the backup process.