Windows 8 backup error code 0x81000033

Anonymous
2012-12-26T01:51:15+00:00

I am attempting to create a system image from Windows 8 on a external USB drive. I have a Seagate expansion drive with 1.81 Tb capacity that I am attempting to put the backup on. In Control Panel/Windows 7 file recovery I am selecting 'back up now' The backup appears to proceed normally... but eventually fails with error code 0x81000033

There is plenty of free space on the Seagate external drive - so space should not be an issue.

How do I correct this issue?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Recovery and backup

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Anonymous
2012-12-26T14:25:44+00:00

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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-05-21T06:22:23+00:00

    I agree 100% with GrahamL222's way of doing it. Initially, I . found his solution to be exactly opposite from others. After I shrunk the service partition from 500MB to 490 MB, the system image back up works. Thanks for the others as well. For information, my HDD is a Seagate 1TB Hybrid drive running in a Samsung machine if it matters.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-05-14T04:44:19+00:00

    I had the same problem on windows 8 x64. Unable to backup system image, not enough space.

    It has the service partition over 500MB too.

    You cam fix this without any third party tools.

    In My Computer, Manage, Disk Management. Select the Service Partition.

    Right click and Select Shrink Volume. Take it to 490 MB and all fixed!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-05-05T11:41:47+00:00

    Thanks to your post and others as well...was kind of leery to try out re-partitioning at first but when I finally got the MiniTool Partition Wizard (free) downloaded and after several attempts at creating System Image via Windows 7 File Recovery, I got to resize the SYSTEM (EFI) and Recovery partitions using the Extend Operation. Since the error message requires min 320 MB for volumes over 500MB (in the case of my ASUS netbook, this refers to Recovery partition), using Extend, I have to reduce SYSTEM to increase my Unused capacity to over 320MB for Recovery. Clicked on Apply (checkmark), did a Restart, disabled my Norton Anti-V temporarily, then successfully ran System Image Backup.

    Haven't tried a Restore from the System Image, but would happy to hear from anyone who tried.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-03-30T12:40:01+00:00

    who marked this as the answer then?

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