full error textBackup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Virtual Machines. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))The error is given near the end of the backup and the file is missing but I don't know how/why.How can I fix this so that backups can complete?I have the VirtualPC beta installed and before that backup worked!I do like that backups are now zipped - if only I could complete it.R.Peters

Hi, After you install Virtual PC beta, the Virtual Machines folder should be in C:\Users\. Did you install Windows Vista and Windows 7 RC compatible Virtual PC or Windows XP Mode beta? When the issue occurs, please capture a screenshot, and then submit the screenshot in the SkyDrive of your Live Space.

This being a Windows 7 group I would not have thought I needed to specify that it is Windows 7 (RC Build 7100).I Should have said it isWindows XP Mode beta.I was not doing a full system backup (becausethat also insists ondoing the Vista partition too).I got around the problem by creating an empty file "C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Virtual Machines."The message I supplied is from C:\Windows\Logs\WindowsBackup\WindowsBackup.log which now been removed because of successful completion.I do not know why Backup is even looking for that file - I can find no mention of it in the registry.R.Peters

Ishould have also said Windows 7 64bit - clean install.R.Peters

Hi, All the backup log files are *.etl files, but not *.log files. What is the situation in your folder C:\Windows\Logs\WindowsBackup? Maybe after special tasks, Virtual PC will create the file C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Virtual Machines. As the backup still completes without any issues, it should not be a critical process during backup.Arthur Xie - MSFT

Not critical but it kept complaining about it, would not give backup size and instructs me to check the last backup.I have been missing for a few days (looks like weeks in these forums - so much catching up to do) but will remove (rename) the file I added and make sure of where the log ends up (it disappeared on successful backup) - seems strange having a different extension.R.Peters

Tried it again and it just tells me that it was successful but files were skipped!A few clicks and I can check the log - it was only that file.The log file is in c:\windows\logs\WindowsBackup and is the only 'log' file there.see http://cid-6a4b30b6aa2cf830.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/backup.PNGI can like with this result although a more direct link to skipped files would help.Some way to deselect that file(s) would be better - it would seem the file is only sometimes there, maybe they should allow for optional system files.R.Peters

Hi Peters,I suspect that C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile is stored in the registry as one of your user profile paths. Can you zip and send across the contents of c:\windows\logs\WindowsBackup and theexport of the registrykey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileListto sneham_at_microsoft_dot_com (Remove the underscoresand replace thewords with symbols wherever applicable)? We will take a look into it. Thanks,Sneha [MSFT]

I'd like to mention that I'm also experiencing this issue, with a folder " C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\My Projects". Here are some details of my circumstance:- Previously installed Windows 7 Ultimate Beta, 64-bit- Created a new folder "C:\Users\Scott Wegner\My Projects", and new 'Library' called "Projects" pointing to it- Set up Windows "Backup and Restore" to back-up personal documents (including this new folder+library), settings, andprogram files (at this point it worked fine)- Now running Windows 7 Ultimate RC, 64-bit- Fresh install + restored files / settings from beta using "Windows Easy Transfer"- Setup Windows "Backup and Restore" again with same settings, but now receive warning on every backup in the C:\Windows\Logs\WindowsBackup error log:"Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\My Projects. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))"As you mention above, I do have a reference to "C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile" in my registry, under the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-18 ProfileImagePath", as well as "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-18 ProfileImagePath". However, I'm not sure what to do with it-- should the key be removed / altered?I would be more than happy to send any log files / settings that would be helping in figuring out the issue. Please let me know.

I have the same problem too. The error message is:Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Virtual Machines. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))In the Backup and Restore screen in the Control Panel is says some files were skipped, and even though it says the backup completed, in the Last Backup area it says Never.Windows 7 64 bit RC1.

These errors we are all getting (and a Google of the problem brought me here) are exactly the same errors that Vista users have been complaining about for years.Microsoft why do you keep doing this? It's the same with WSUS and countless other products. Most people have them running just fine. There are a large number of people though that have the same problems that they either cannot fix at all or find really stupid workarounds to get working. Microsoft just keeps plowing on and just will not fix these problems.So the new Windows 7 users are having to put up with a broken Windows Backup system that was broken in Vista several years ago (and produced the same error messages) and nobody thought they should fix it. See http://www.vistaheads.com/forums/microsoft-public-windows-vista-general/28038-backup-error-0x80070002.htmland have a Google with this http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=vista+backup+error+0x80070002&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-aThis is part rant and part confirmation that I have the same problem. However I don't get any information messages like the others. All I get is the 'Error Code: 0x80070002'. Nothing in the windows backup log. I have tried to generate the asr.log file mentioned elsewhere but nothing is produced. I've also removed the registry entry for c:\windows\system32\systemprofile as it doesn't exist but again this hasn't made any difference.

This is still happening - same error code, same problem - still no fix. Does anyone have a work around suitable for a non-tech user like me?

Hi guys,We have investigated the data provided by one of the customers on the forum and looks like we have an issue here. Microsoft Virtual PC seems to be creating a library called "Virtual Machines" in your user account and adding the "Virtual machines" folder on your user profile to it. The library is reporting the path of this folder incorrectlyand hence the issue. As a workaround, please do the following:1. Change backup settings2. Select the same target device3. Let me choose4. Expand the user nodes from the treeview to see which user has the "Virtual machines" library.5. Deselect the library.6. If you want the contents of this library to get backed up, please select the actual path of the folder (ex: C:\Users\Peter\Virtual Machines) from the Computer section in the treeview.7. Save settings.This will exclude the problematic library from your backup settings and the next backup should be GREEN. Please try this workaround and let me know if it works for you. Thanks,Sneha [MSFT]P.S: This might happen for other libraries as wellwhich have afolderunder the user profile added to them. Follow similar steps if you are facing an issue with a different library. You can get the info regarding the folder (andhence the library)from the skip log file.

I have a similar problem, but I cant find the file to be excluded in the users tree.This is the message I get in german:Beim Sichern der Datei "C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Eigene Dateien D" ist ein Problem aufgetreten. Fehler: (Das System kann die angegebene Datei nicht finden. (0x80070002))Translated: By backing up of the file "C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Eigene Dateien D" a problem arose.failure: the system couldnt find the file mentioned. (0x80070002)So what is your suggestion?ThanksPeter

I see the same behavior in Win7 Enterprise, 64bit.

It appears there are several interpretations for this Error 0x80070002 (there, I know it so well I can type it out in my sleep!)I managed to get to read almost 10 Mb of etl log file lines in Event Viewer.Absolutely ALL of these lines, and there were thousands,ended with the same result - viz:- FileLine 18 Function Message GUID=84dbb6cf-ba67-46f4-15c4-19a5a6482c22 (No Format Information found). Apparently this format data should be in a file - somewhere!A solution would be most welcome.

Hi Peter (ein adler),Your folder is located at C:\Users\<UserName>\Eigene Dateien D. This folder is added to one of the libraries included in your backup.Please exclude this library from backup from the Data files sectionand include the folder directly through the Computer section in thetreeview.Thanks,Sneha[MSFT]

Excluded this and other folders and was able to make this partly backup. I was ot able to make a system image as i got following failure message.Did also a check disk on both drives without any failure report.What else can i do?ThanksPeterProtokollname: ApplicationQuelle: Microsoft-Windows-BackupDatum: 06.12.2009 17:58:13Ereignis-ID: 517Aufgabenkategorie:KeineEbene: FehlerSchlsselwrter:Benutzer: SYSTEMComputer: pe_zBeschreibung:Fehler bei der um 2009-12-06T16:06:17.842749900Z gestarteten Sicherung. Fehlercode: "2155348269" (Vorgangsfehler aufgrund eines Gertefehlers an Quelle oder Ziel. Befindet sich das Quell-/Zielvolume auf einem Datentrger, fhren Sie "CHKDSK /R" auf dem Quell- oder Zielvolume aus, und wiederholen Sie den Vorgang.). Suchen Sie in den Ereignisdetails nach einer Lsung, und fhren Sie die Sicherung erneut aus, nachdem das Problem behoben wurde.Ereignis-XML:<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event"> <System> <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Backup" Guid="{1DB28F2E-8F80-4027-8C5A-A11F7F10F62D}" /> <EventID>517</EventID> <Version>0</Version> <Level>2</Level> <Task>0</Task> <Opcode>0</Opcode> <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords> <TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-12-06T16:58:13.074621500Z" /> <EventRecordID>26669</EventRecordID> <Correlation /> <Execution ProcessID="4940" ThreadID="2212" /> <Channel>Application</Channel> <Computer>pe_z</Computer> <Security UserID="S-1-5-18" /> </System> <EventData> <Data Name="BackupTime">2009-12-06T16:06:17.842749900Z</Data> <Data Name="ErrorCode">2155348269</Data> <Data Name="ErrorMessage">%%2155348269</Data> </EventData></Event>

I have the same problme on Windows 7 64bits. The error message is the same and I cannot find the solution. I have only 1 userprofile (plus the others 3 obviously) which is mine under the registry. Under explorer my user profile (under c:\users) got a little lock displayed and also I have a folder called public (which do not appears in the registry user profile)Also I have the same error when I try to backup my windows seven using my HP WHS server.I am starting to be fade up like all the others people I cannot find a solution on the web.Below is the report.wer file I found under folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchiveVersion=1EventType=WindowsBackupFailureEventTime=129091043457198971Consent=1UploadTime=129091043457248974ReportIdentifier=fa9cf8b9-0b91-11df-b19f-001d920da276Response.BucketId=659711628Response.BucketTable=5Response.type=4Sig[0].Name=OpérationSig[0].Value=BackupSig[1].Name=AppVerSig[1].Value=6.1.7600Sig[2].Name=HRESULTSig[2].Value=0x80070002Sig[3].Name=Type de cibleSig[3].Value=6DynamicSig[1].Name=Version du systèmeDynamicSig[1].Value=6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3DynamicSig[2].Name=Identificateur de paramètres régionauxDynamicSig[2].Value=1036State[0].Key=Transport.DoneStage1State[0].Value=1State[1].Key=DataRequestState[1].Value=Bucket=659711628/nBucketTable=5/nResponse=1/nFriendlyEventName=WindowsBackupFailureConsentKey=WindowsBackupFailureAppName=Processus hôte Windows (Rundll32)AppPath=C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exeReportDescription=Échec de la sauvegarde WindowsI the windows logs I have the error "La sauvegarde a échoué. Erreur : Le fichier spécifié est introuvable. (0x80070002)" -> "The backup has failed. Error : specified file can not be found (0x80070002). The XML view of the message give me : - <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event"> - <System> <Provider Name="Windows Backup" /> <EventID Qualifiers="0">4104</EventID> <Level>2</Level> <Task>0</Task> <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords> <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-01-27T22:19:05.000000000Z" /> <EventRecordID>102347</EventRecordID> <Channel>Application</Channel> <Computer>MainQuad7</Computer> <Security /> </System> - <EventData> <Data>Le fichier spécifié est introuvable. (0x80070002)</Data> <Binary>02000780E30500003F0900005B090000420ED1665C2BEE174B64529CB14610EA71000000</Binary> </EventData> </Event> I you have any idea PLEASE help ... thanks from a crazy frog from France.Regards

I encountered this Error 0x80070002 after installing WINXP Virtual mode and so googled the error to find myself here. After reading so much frustration without successful results I tried a few things mentioned with no success and no further details given about the error and to boot - my error log is and remains an empty file! Nothing in it whatsoever. It's the blind leading the blind because WB provides so poor (i.e. none) reporting on itself and its actions.What to do. OK I tried the very tiniest backup deselecting everything and no image backup - actually no backup at all - and then choosing a small directory with a couple static files I created.It will not even back up that!!!!!!My opinion, but Windows backup on Windows 7 has become hosed completely by the addition of Microsoft Virtual PC and a WinXP image.Go figure, but Dear Microsoft this needs resolution and not shelved for Windows 8 development to fix....Paragon Backup here I come.

Check this : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979281

Hi people,Regret the inconvenience caused to you. Let me explain the causes seen for failure 80070002 so far.1. Backup completes successfully with some files skipped. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979281 gives you detailed information on this.2. Backup completely fails with 80070002. We have seen this occur in the following cases: i. USB controller issue explained in http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/976972 if your backup target drive is connected via USB ii. Machine has a dual boot configuration with Linux and uses Grub2 bootloader. iii. Backup happens to a network target over a wireless connection with disconnects. iv. Snapshot on the source volume gets deleted while the backup is in progress due to very little shadow copy storage area on the source. Type 'vssadmin list shadowstorage' from an elevated command prompt and have a look at the Maximum shadow copy storage space for the source volume included. If this is almost the same as used shadow copy storage, this could be an issue. v. The source volume has disk errors. Run chkdsk /R on the source volume and retry backup.If you could identify which of these is occuring on your machine, we could provide a suitable workaround.Thanks,Sneha[MSFT]

What about a fix (instead of a workaround) for the limitation "This issue occurs if you back up a custom library that contains a folder that is located under your user profile. " in KB979281?

Hi,I am not is the case you gave i.e. I do a simple backup for static file (like corrius) and it fail.I have not :i. bakcup to usb driveii. no Linux partition (but XP and Vista but onto another physical drive) iii. local backup so no network backupiv. I have plenty of space left (more than 60% of my hard drive)v. I have no disk error (chkdsk is ok)I have also a WHS (Windows Home Server) by HP and this one can backup my drive(s) without problem (but the first manual ones I made, had 2 or 3 failled attempts) every day.RegardsJérôme

Hi Jerome,Can you contact me offline at sneham_at_microsoft_dot_com with logs from %SystemDrive%\Windows\Logs\WindowsBackup?Thanks,Sneha[MSFT]

Hi, Unfortunately, I need to report a similar problem. I am running Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. Backup was running fine for a number of months despite several of the problematic situations identified in earlier postings. I have removed Windows Virtual Machines and all new libraries I had created. Aswell I removed Postgres and the entry it left behind in the registry profilelist. I have tried very small backups to a number of USB storage devices and most of the other suggestions mentioned in earlier postings. I continue to have a dual boot configuration with a Linux (Ubuntu) on a separate disk partition - but the backup was working with this until 3 weeks ago. Still the same 0X80070002 error very early in the backup process. Any help would be most appreciated. Regards Neil

I used to have the same the same problem as Scott (i.e I encountered this Error 0x80070002) unitl found a perfect workaround (or solution) to my problem on this website: http://cogitation-rumination.blogspot.com/2009/12/windows-backup-error-0x80070002-when.html Now everything seems to be working fine

Thanks for the info! Although I wish the Windows backup would just back up the custom created libraries any way with out the hassel. Any possibility of this being resolved or are we going to have to continue with this method?

MS please Advise: I am unable to use ANY backup program including built in Windows backup. I am starting to think it has something to do with either shadow copy or AHCI mode but havn't narrowed it down yet. My specs are: Windows 7 Pro 64 bit 2 SATA secondary local drives and 1 SATA OS drive running in AHCI mode. All drives are 1 TB in size. I have tried backing up with both Win 7 built in backup and running the older NT Backup and they both fail immediately after trying to start. The error I get when trying to run Win 7 Backup is: The backup was not successful. The error is: The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002).\ I have tried a couple backup imaging programs also and they fail / won't even start. As far as some of the already mentioned steps on here and what I have researched: 1. I'm not using a USB external drive or backing up to network location - all local drives. 2. Not running any dual boot. 3. I have tons of disk space free on all drives and shadow copy's max / used is not even close to approaching maximum. 4. I have ran chkdsk on all drives finding no errors / all clean. 5. With Windows backup I am not selecting "user library's" but the actual files. 6. I do not have any corrupted profiles here HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList. 7. Windows backup log (.log file ) is EMPTY. 8. I do use VM Ware workstation for other virtual machines but my Win 7 is a local install / no VM. I have tried several other steps to resolve this with no solution. Microsoft can you please provide a solution? Could this have anything to do with my drive being in AHCI mode? Please advise.

Thanks for the info! Although I wish the Windows backup would just back up the custom created libraries any way with out the hassel. Any possibility of this being resolved or are we going to have to continue with this method? As a Mac OS X user for most of my computing needs, this backup issue is disturbing. Other than the the OS not crashing and corrupting files, backup is maybe the most important function of a computing system: so you don't lose your precious data and can get running again after catastrophic hardware failure. Win 7 seems to have no answer that "just works." Note that TIme Machine (and third party carbon copy and SuperDuper!) just work on OS X and have for years. MS: Please fix this so backup just works. The most disturbing is the complete failure to create a backup set at all when taking the MS defaults.

I have read all of the suggestions here and some elsewhere but didn't find an answer to my problem. I too am getting the "The backup was not successful. The error is: The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002)." Event ID 4104 error when attempting to backup. I discovered how to correct my issue and I hope it helps you. Hopefully Microsoft is watching. Answer: In Disk Management I changed an OFFLINE disk to ONLINE. Background: Windows 7 Pro 64 bit. Disk 0 (Solid State Drive) SATA AHCI Disk 1 (750 GB Platter Disk) SATA AHCI Disk 2 (1 TB Platter Disk) SATA AHCI Computer with three physical disks. The OS is installed to Disk 0. When Windows was fully installed I set Disk 1 to offline because I was using it for a future dual boot system. Disk 2 is my data disk. All disks are BASIC not Dynamic. Backups worked up until this point. What I suspect... After installing Windows 2008 R2 64 bit to Disk 1 for a dual boot system (I am a techy with a technet subscription, I like to play ;) I noticed a few weeks later the backup events were failing. Dual boot setup must have reordered "something?" causing the Backup utility to fail. Note: I do not have any drive letters assigned to Disk 1. All I did was enable ONLINE.

Hi My machine has dual boot configuration with Linux. Backup fails even if I try to backup one file. No matter if try to backup to external or internal hdd. What's workaround? Could you help me? Andrzej.

I have the same problem (0x80070002). I have full retail copy of windows 7 pro so I have contacted MS support. Unfortunately, the answer is 're-install' and that may solve the problem. SP1 may fix it as well but no date given for the release to custumers. Not happy. Still looking for solution.

The exact text from MS ' As per the conversation we had today, you confirmed that none of the scenarios mentioned in the following Microsoft knowledge base article match with the issue on your computer. You have tried all the suggestions on the Microsoft website for the backup error message “0x8007002”. There is no hot fix available for the issue with us. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979281 If none of the scenarios and resolutions mentioned match with your computer issue, then in that condition you may try clean installation which has worked for some other cases for this same error message on backup. This may work in your case too; however, we do not guarantee that it would certainly work for you.'

IS THERE A SOLUTION! As much money as this company makes - no one has a answer??