windows 7 backup error "shadow copy could not be created"

Anonymous
2009-10-29T00:57:14+00:00

I am trying to backup my PC to a USB external mass storage drive using Windows 7 backup feature.

I am getting the following error:

"A shadow copy could not be created. Please check "VSS" and "SPP" application event logs for more information. The specified object was not found. Error code: 0x81000019

appreciate any help on this issue

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2009-11-13T17:59:08+00:00

I was able to get windows 7 backup to finally work by doing the following:

The error message which I was receiving after windows 7 backup failed was:

A shadow copy could not be created. Please check "VSS" and "SPP" application event logs for more information. The specified object was not found. Error code: 0x81000019

My hard drive has a C and D partition. I am not sure if it was step 1, 2 or 3 below or a combination of all 3 steps that fixed my problem. I would start with step 1 then try to run backup. If that does not work procede to step 2 and try running backup again. If that still does not work go to step 3.  I excecuted all 3 steps prior to attemting my backup so I am not sure which one of the steps actually fixed the problem or if it was a combination of all 3 steps. All these steps together is now allowing me to backup via the windows 7 backup feature. Hopefully the solution will hold up long term.

Step 1:

I ran diskclean on the C and D drive partitions

Step 2:

Right click on computer

Properties

System Protection

Highlight D drive

Click Configure

Click delete all restore points

Step 3:

Right click on computer

Properties

System Protection

Highlight C drive

Click Configure

Click delete all restore points

Was this answer helpful?

60+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

49 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2009-11-12T16:09:25+00:00

    Here is a thread from our Technet forum that covers this issue and gives a couple possible solutions.  Go through this and let us know the results.

    Mike - Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-13T00:20:50+00:00

    I posted this on the thread you suggested and it is the quickest and simpliest way that worked for me to get atleast the 40MB needed to create a shodow copy.[A shadow copy could not be created. Please check "VSS" and "SPP" application event logs for more information. The specified object was not found. Error code: 0x81000019]!!!  This is a much quicker way that worked for me. I just right clicked on the 100MB drive in manage my drive view and selected properties..  I checked compress all files and folder on the 100MB and I had to skip 1 or 2 but it went from 30MB to 60MB free space.. Then for the first time it did a full backup....WOW!!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2009-12-05T17:09:52+00:00

    I have had this problem with 2 computers, at least 4 external hard drives, and Acronis as well as Windows backup.  On one system it finally became impossible to write anything to an external drive.  It is sporadic and may seem to be fixed, but so far has always returned.

    I am repartitioning and attempting to load Linux systems as well, but on one computer backup failed the first or second time, before I did anything else.

    I have not seen anything from MS personnel which indicates that they know what is going on.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2009-12-05T17:13:15+00:00

    P.S. On the first computer, an HP with Athlon processor, it did not give the 0x81000019 error, it just crashed to a blue screen - dozens of times.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments