Windows 8 backup error code 0x81000033

This didn't resove the issue!  What do I do Now Microsoft?

File history will be of no use if your OS gets corrupted by a virus or other malware or if you need to replace the entire hard drive (hardware issue) - only a sector copy will restore the OS to 'as before' status as the boot record needs to be in a specific sector. Most good 'disk image' programs also do at least some compression to reduce the size of the backup to save space. Not so with file history. And yes, professional products will also do 'incremental' backups - only storing what has 'changed' from the previous image.

Hi Conrad,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for giving us an opportunity to assist you with this issue.

It looks that, you are getting error 0x81000033 when you are trying to create a system image from Windows 8 on an external USB drive.

Let me ask you few question:

1. What is the complete error message?
2. When do you exactly get this error message?
3. Have you installed any third party Antivirus or security software?

Please follow the steps given in the methods given here.

 

Method 1: Check for Volume shadow copy service and Windows backup service.

I would suggest you to check if the Volume shadow copy service and Windows backup services are running on you r computer.

Follow these steps:

a) Press Windows key +R Key and type "services.**msc"**without quotes.

b) Search for the Volume shadow copy service and Windows back up serviceand check their status.

c) If they are not automatic, then right click on them and select start.

Please move to the next method if you still face the issue.

Method 2: Run check disk

 

I would suggest you to go through the section ‘Repair a drive’ of the article to perform check disk. Here is the link for your reference.

 

One of the best ways you can improve your PC's performance is by optimizing the hard drive. Windows includes features to help optimize the different types of drives that PCs use today. No matter which type of drive your PC uses, Windows automatically chooses the optimization that's right for your drive.

Please refer to the section "To repair a drive to perform check disk".

 

Improve performance by optimizing your hard drive

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/improve-performance-optimizing-hard-drive

 

Important Note: While performing chkdsk on the hard drive if any bad sectors are found on the hard drive when chkdsk tries to repair that sector if any data available on that might be lost.

Now try to create system image.

 

Please move to the next method if you still face the issue.

Method 3: Temporarily disable Security Software

I would suggest you to disable the security software temporarily and then try to create a system image.

 

Note: Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. In most cases, you shouldn't disable your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

I hope your issue gets resolved by now. Please write to us if you have any Windows related issue.

 

Finally it worked!!!

For three days I have been trying to do this on a new ASUS Q400A laptop, reading blog and tech article after blog and tech article.  Everyone's method failed until I did this one (or two) simple things as instructed above.  The very first thing you should do is remove any and all third party anti-virus software (you don't need it anyway), mine was McAfee, a virus in it's self!  If you have McAfee make sure you run the McAfee removal tool after you have un-installed McAfee (this small program can be downloaded from their website (http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS101331).  Next do what he said above:

a) Press Windowskey +RKey and type "services.**msc"**without quotes.

b) Search for the Volume shadow copy serviceand Windows back up serviceand check their status.

c) If they are not automatic, then right click on them and select start.

Now you should be hot to trot.  I was able to burn to DVD's!  One more thing, if you have trouble with the first DVD, format it first using the default settings, it's a Win 7 hangover thing.

Good Luck we're all counting on you.