error code 0x81000203__

Anonymous
2010-01-07T17:26:25+00:00

create system restore point fails to start in Windows 7.

when I click system protection tab in system properties in Windows 7, it displays a message saying

'There was a unexpected error in the property page:

System restore encountered an error. Please try to run System Restore again. (0x81000203).

Please close the property page and try again'

I tried starting properties again few times.

Also restarted windows a few times and started computer properties.

as soon as I click system protection tab, things go wrong and I get the above message.

so please help me.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2010-03-04T12:55:44+00:00

Sorry for a delayed reply.

I would suggest all of you to disable any security software ( Anti Virus, firewall..) you are using on your computer and then turn system restore off and on to check if the issue persists.

Also boot in safe mode and then just open the option of system restore and check if the error pops up in the highlighted part. This will help check if any non-Microsoft service is interfering with the system restore.

In Safe mode; you have access to only basic files and drivers. Refer to the link to start the computer in safe mode and then check -

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode

Now check in safe mode if you are able to open system restore and do you still get any error message - you may refer to the System Restore support articles for guidance-

Note: When you perform complete System restore from safe mode you will not be able to undo the changes. Also performing system restore changes the computer to previous state, programs and updates that you installed are removed.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-is-System-Restore

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/System-Restore-frequently-asked-questions

Also I would suggest you to run a SFC scan and check if it lists any error messages –

Perform a SFC Scan -

1.      Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow

2.      Type the following command, and then press ENTER:

sfc /scannow

A message will appear stating that 'The system scan will begin'. Be patient because the scan may take some time

3.      If any files require a replace SFC will replace them. You may be asked to insert your Win7 DVD for this process to continue

4.      If everything is okay you should, after the scan, see the following message "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations" 

5.      After the scan has completed, close the command prompt window, restart the computer and check.

Check the below mentioned link for further guidance on SFC scan -http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

Hope this helps. Let us know the results.

Thanks,

Meghmala – Microsoft Support

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-01-24T16:40:23+00:00

    I think i can help you.I'm Vietnamese my english skills isn't good.Hope you understand me.I know how to resolve this problem:

    1.Click Start Menu->Run->Services.msc then Enter

    2.Click on “Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider” ->StarupType :Automatic ->Status:Starter and "Volume Shadow Copy"->StarupType :Automatic->Status:Starter

    Good Luck!

    P/s:i using Win7 Ultimate Sp1

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-01-08T15:19:43+00:00

    Hi rajhanschinmay,

    Welcome to Microsoft Answers.

    I would suggest you to first check if system restore is turned ON. Follow the below steps -

    Note - You can't turn on system protection for a disk that's formatted using the FAT or FAT32 file systems.

    1. Open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.
    2. In the left pane, click System protection. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
    3. Under Protection Settings, click the disk, and then click Configure.
    4. Do one of the following:

    ·         To be able to restore system settings and previous versions of files, click Restore system settings and previous versions of files.

    ·         To be able to only restore previous versions of files, click only restore previous versions of files.

    1. Click OK, and then click OK again.

    You may refer to the below link for assistance -

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Turn-System-Restore-on-or-off

    Check if Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider service is disabled. The service should be enabled for the system restore to function. To check follow the below steps -

    Confirm that the “ Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider ” is running:

      • Go to Start - Run and type Services.msc then press enter.
        • Click on “Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider”.
        • Check if the status shown is started.

    Also disabling System Restore will limit the ongoing usefulness of System Restore on the computer.

    To re-enable, please try:

    1. Open gpedit.msc from Start Search box.
    2. Navigate to the following branch.

    Computer Configuration\Administrative Template\System\System Restore.

    1. In the right pane, please configure the “Turn off system restore” policy. Please set it to Not Configured.

    You may refer to the link below for assistance -

    http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itprosecurity/thread/0f2eebbe-6cdf-4ecc-93af-9249b7339ec9

    Hope this helps. Let us know the results.

    Thanks,

    Meghmala – Microsoft Support

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-27T00:16:40+00:00

    I am having the same problem.  I am using Windows 7 Home Premium.  When I cick on System protection I get

    "There was an unexpected error in the properety page: System Restore encountered an error. Please try to run System Restore again. (0x81000203) Please close the property page and try again."

    Trying again produces the same message.

    So far I have done the following on the basis of answers to questions on this problem.

    *Made sure that Microsoft Software Shadow Copy is started and on Automatic (see above)

    *Run SFC/scannow

    *Enabled Volume Shadow Copy and Windows backup and set them to automatic. 

    The problem remains.

    I have not been able to renable System Restore (assuming this needs to be done) as suggested above because it seems I need 7 Ultimate to use gpedit.msc.  (In fact I am attempting to install an upgrade

    to Ultimate, but I can't because it needs to set a system resore point which it can'testablish because of this problem!)

    I need help.

    Juwinrha

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-01-17T18:00:57+00:00

    Dear Meghmala,

    As told by you,

    1. Open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer , and then clicking Properties .
    2. In the left pane, click System protection . If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
    3. Under Protection Settings , click the disk, and then click Configure .

    Problem is as soon as I click on system protection tab, I get a same message.

    In the drives list, it comes as searching.

    It waits there only for long time (hours) and does not show any drive.

    I also checked that

    • Go to Start - Run and type Services.msc  then press enter.
    • Click on “ Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider ”.
    • Check if the status shown is started.

    Here process was already started and I made it to start automatically. So it is running.

    you told me to do:

    Also disabling System Restore will limit the ongoing usefulness of System Restore on the computer.

    To re-enable, please try:

    1. Open gpedit.msc from Start Search box.
    2. Navigate to the following branch.

    Computer Configuration\Administrative Template\System\System Restore.

    1. In the right pane, please configure the “Turn off system restore” policy. Please set it to Not Configured.

    I tried searching gpedit.msc. It is not finding it.

    I searched to other websites and Microsoft site was not capable of answering.

    They told me that this file is not there in Windows 7 home premium edition.

    I am still facing the same problem. I restarted laptop a few times.

    still no change in the error message.

    so please let me know what else I need to do.

    waiting for your reply.

    Yours

    Chinmay

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