"Windows Backup Encountered an Error While Writing Data to the Backup Destination [Complete Guide]"

Has your Windows backup encountered an issue while writing data to the backup destination? This might be caused by several factors, one of which could be an outdated File History, corrupted files, the Volume Shadow Copy not running automatically, and more.

If you wish to learn more about Volume Shadow Copy, please refer to the following article, where you will find the answers.

Fix and Repair Volume Shadow Copy Service Not Working Error in Windows 10

Hey guys, does anyone know how to utilize Volume Shadow Copy Service for copying and backing up specific files in Windows 10? I'm encountering errors with the Shadow Copy Service in Windows 10, and I can't use it to copy or back up my files.

Continue reading as we discuss why your Windows backup encountered an error while writing data to the backup target and how to resolve this issue.

< a id="part_1" name="part_1">Windows Backup Encountered an Error While Writing Data to the Backup Destination

If your Windows backup encounters an error while writing data to an external backup device, it could be attributed to several possible reasons.

This issue might result from various factors: the spool volume being accessed, the file history function not operating correctly, or difficulties with the volume shadow copy service running automatically. Additionally, occasional failures in backing up Windows to an external drive can occur due to corrupted system files.

This is an easy-to-fix problem, and we'll show you how to resolve it and back up your data to an external device.

To learn more about Windows backup errors, please read the articles below:

How to Safely Perform System Backup on Windows 10/11

We are aware of several methods that you can utilize to successfully complete a backup of your Windows 10/11 system without encountering any errors.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to safely and successfully perform a system backup on Windows 10/11: 1. **Open the Backup Settings:** Click on the Start menu, type "backup" in the search bar, and select "Backup settings" from the results. 2. **Enable Backup:** In the Backup settings panel, click on "Add a drive." This will prompt you to connect an external hard drive or USB drive where you want to store your backups. Ensure the drive is plugged in and then select it from the list. 3. **Configure Backup Options:** Choose "More options" to customize your backup settings. You can decide whether to back up specific folders or files, or stick with the default settings that include important system files. 4. **Set Up Backup Schedule:** Under "Backup frequency," select how often you want your system to create a backup - daily, weekly, or monthly. It's recommended to choose a time when your computer is typically idle. 5. **Save System Image:** Consider creating a system image by clicking "Create a system image" in the Backup settings. This will allow you to restore your entire system, including the operating system, in case of a major issue. 6. **Start the Backup Process:** After configuring the settings, click "Save settings and exit." Your first backup will begin. Wait until the process completes; this may take some time depending on the amount of data. 7. **Verify Backup:** Once the backup is done, it's a good idea to verify its integrity by checking the contents of the backup drive. This ensures that your data is safely stored and can be restored if needed. 8. **Regularly Update Your Backup:** Remember to periodically return to the Backup settings and click "Backup now" to ensure your most recent files and settings are saved. By following these steps, you'll have a secure and reliable system backup for your Windows 10/11 computer.

• Method 1. Backup Windows with Tools
• Method 2. Backup Windows with Backup and Restore

Method 1: Back up Windows with Tools

Todo Backup Home is a backup and recovery software that assists in backing up your files to an external device, cloning your Windows computer, creating a bootable media disk, scheduling automatic backups, and offering numerous other features.

It features a user-friendly interface, allowing you to effortlessly back up all your files to an external drive or directly upload them to the cloud with just a few simple clicks.

You can download and utilize the Todo Backup tool for a limited period, accessing all its professional features to seamlessly backup your files or computer to an external drive without encountering any issues or errors.

After downloading, follow these steps to create a backup of your Windows 10/11 using the Todo Backup tool:

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer and click Create Backup on the home screen. Then, click 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 here. Next, you need to choose a location to save the system image backup by clicking 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 your system backup files.

Step 5. If interested, you can access customization settings such as enabling an automatic backup schedule for daily, weekly, monthly intervals, or upon specific events, and creating differential and incremental backups by clicking on the Options button. Once ready, click "Backup Now". The Windows system backup process will then commence. Upon completion, the finished backup task will be displayed on the left side in a card format.

Method 2: Back up Windows with Backup and Restore

To back up your Windows computer, you'll require an external hard drive or a USB drive to save the backup on. Ensuring you have at least 256GB of free space is essential if you plan to back up all your files or your entire Windows PC.

You could utilize the built-in feature in Windows to back up and restore your PC, though it can be somewhat complex and not very user-friendly.

To back up your Windows using Windows' built-in Backup and Restore tool, follow these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + S on your keyboard to open the Search bar. 2. Type "Backup and Restore" in the search bar and select the corresponding result. 3. In the Backup and Restore window, click on the "Set up backup" option. 4. Choose the external hard drive or USB drive where you want to save your backup files and click "Next." 5. Select the drives or specific folders you wish to back up. It's recommended to choose "Let me choose" and then check the boxes next to the drives or folders you want to include. Click "Next." 6. You can choose to save your backup configuration settings and create a system image (optional). If you want to create a system image, check the box and proceed. Otherwise, skip this step and click "Next." 7. Review your backup settings, and if everything looks correct, click "Save settings and exit." 8. Now, click on "Back up now" to start the backup process. This may take some time depending on the amount of data you're backing up. 9. Once the backup is complete, safely eject the external drive or USB and store it in a secure location. Remember to periodically connect the backup drive and update your backups to ensure you have the latest version of your files.

Step 1. Click on the "Start" button, then search for "Control Panel" and open it.

Step 2. Click on "System and security" to open it, and then select "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)."

Step 3. Click on "Create a system image" on the left panel.

Step 4. Next, choose the external drive where you wish to create a backup of your Windows.

Step 5. Select the drives you wish to back up, then click "Start Backup."

Step 6. Depending on the size of the files, the backup process may take some time to finish. Give your computer adequate time to create a backup of your Windows system on the external drive.

Bonus Tip: How to Restore System Backup on Windows 10/11 If you've created a system backup using Windows 10 or 11 and now need to restore it, follow these steps: 1. **Access the Recovery Options:** - Press `Windows key + I` to open Settings. - Click on `Update & Security`. - In the left pane, select `Recovery`. - Under the "Advanced startup" section, click on `Restart now`. 2. **Enter Advanced Startup:** - Your computer will restart into the Advanced Startup menu. - Click on `Troubleshoot`. - Then, choose `Advanced options`. 3. **Select System Restore:** - In the Advanced options, click on `System Image Recovery`. - This option might be labeled as `System Restore` in some versions. 4. **Follow the Wizard:** - The System Image Recovery Wizard will appear. - Select `Choose a different restore point` and click `Next`. - If prompted, insert the backup media (external drive or DVD) that contains your system image. - Choose the system image you want to restore from the list and click `Next`. - Confirm your choices and proceed with the restoration process. 5. **Wait for the Restoration Process:** - The system will now start restoring your files and settings from the backup. - This process may take a while, depending on the size of your system and the speed of your storage device. 6. **Reboot and Verify:** - Once the restoration is complete, your computer will automatically restart. - Upon booting up, verify that your system has been successfully restored to the backed-up state. Remember, system restore will replace your current system files and settings with those from the backup, so any changes made since the backup was created will be lost. It's crucial to have a recent backup to ensure minimal data loss.

Now that you know how to create a backup, let's explore how to restore your backup from an external drive to your PC using various tools as well as Windows' built-in restore feature.

• Method 1. Recover Windows with Tools
• Method 2. Recover Windows with Backup and Restore

Method 1: Recover Windows using Tools

Todo Backup enables users to effortlessly and efficiently restore their system or files from external hard drives or the cloud with ease.

Here's how you can restore both your system and file backup using the Todo Backup tool in American English: 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer. 2. On the main screen, click on "Restore" or "Relief" (if you have the Chinese version). 3. For System Restore: - Choose "System Restore" or "System Restore" (for the Chinese version). - The software will display available system backup images. Select the one you want to restore. - Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the restoration. If your system won't boot, you may need to boot from a created bootable media. 4. For File Restore: - Select "File Restore" or "File Restore" (Chinese version). - Browse and locate the backup file that contains the files you need. - Choose the specific files or folders you wish to recover. - Click "Start" or "开始" (Chinese version) to initiate the restoration process. Remember to connect any external drives or devices with the backups, and ensure no important files are open during the restore, as they could be overwritten.

Step 1. Click on the "Start" button and type Control Panel. Next, open the "Control Panel" from the search results.

Step 2. In the Control Panel, click on the search bar and type Recovery.

Step 3. Choose "Open System Restore" and then click "Next."

Step 4. Choose the recovery file that you want to use to revert your computer to that version.

Step 5. Follow the wizard's instructions to restore the previous backup.

Method 2: Recover Windows using Backup and Restore

Creating restore points following the installation of new drivers, applications, or Windows updates ensures that your PC can be rolled back to a previous version of Windows should it cease functioning optimally after a recent installation of an application, driver, or update.

When you use a restore point to revert your PC, your personal files will remain intact, but it will remove the drivers, applications, and Windows updates that were installed after the restore point was created.

"Wrap Up" in American English can be translated as "Conclusion" or "Final Thoughts," which refers to a summary of a discussion, meeting, event, or content.

It's quite common to encounter errors when backing up your Windows computer using the built-in Windows utilities. These native tools aren't solely focused on delivering a comprehensive, seamless, and user-friendly experience. They can often be intricate to navigate, and you might run into issues occasionally.

Todo Backup is an award-winning backup and recovery software, backed by 14 years of experience and trusted by over 20,000 clients for all their backup and recovery requirements.

It features an intuitive user interface and an array of tools to cater to all your backup and recovery requirements.

With a free trial version of the software, you can explore all its features for a limited time. Download Todo Backup now to execute your backups seamlessly without any errors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about "Windows Backup Encountered an Error When Writing Data to the Backup Target"

1. Why isn't a backup functioning on Windows 10?

The backup process might have failed to back up all files due to file corruption or issues with the file format. A simple solution to this is to remove the affected folder or file from the backup list, re-add it, and then attempt to back up again.

If this still hasn't helped, a backup and restore software like Todo Backup can back up your data without any issues.

2. How do I resolve a Windows backup error?

Here's how you can resolve a Windows backup error:

Execute a disk error check to ascertain if there are any bad sectors on your hard drive that might be hindering the backup process. Additionally, conduct a virus scan since malware could be silently corrupting your PC's functionality in the background.

3. Why is Windows Backup encountering an allocation issue?

Memory allocation failures can occur due to delays resulting from increasing the size of a page file to meet the system's growing memory requirements. You can address this issue by following these steps:

Step 1. Press Windows key + Pause/Break to open "System Properties."

Step 2. Select "Advanced system settings."

Step 3. In the "Advanced" tab, navigate to the "Performance" section, and click on "Settings."

Step 4. In the "Virtual memory" section under the "Advanced" tab, click on "Change."

Step 5. Next, uncheck the "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" option.

Step 6. Select "Custom size" and set the initial size to 1.5 times the RAM capacity.

Step 7. Click on "OK," and then restart your computer for the changes to take effect.