Solved Backing up system image, error 0x81000037

I've just bought a new laptop with Windows 7 home premium installed and I tried to backup a system image to a brand new portable hard drive.

However, whenever I try to backup, the backup fails and says error 0x81000037.
I looked online and some people mentioned performing a full scan on the computer.

I started a full scan on Windows Defender because I haven't bought any antivirus software but the scan has currently been running for 20 hours and isn't finished yet.

All I want to do is backup a system image, what do I need to do?

Hello Joe, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You might see if using Issue 2 under "Symptoms" at the Microsoft link below may be able to help.

Symptom: Windows backup or restore errors 0x80070001, 0x81000037, or 0x80070003

Workaround: Windows backup or restore errors 0x80070001, 0x81000037, or 0x80070003

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I looked at that page when the error first came up, but I have no idea what a reparse point is or how to find one in CMD.

First, you would need to have all protected OS files set to be displayed. After using the DIR /AL /S command, you would look at the path to the right of each {JUNCTION} listed in the command prompt.

From here, you would go to those folder locations in Windows Explorer, right click on that folder with the shortcut arrow on it, and click on Properties. If, and only if, it has Mounted Volume as the folder's Type, you would delete that folder. If that folder doesn't have Mounted Volume as the it's Type, then don't delete it. Repeat this for each folder of each {JUNCTION} listed.

When finished, set protected OS files to not show anymore, and try backing up again.

The full scan reported no problems. When I tried to backup again, the backup failed giving error code 0x80070002

Ok. For that error number, give the "MS Fix it" below a try.

You receive a "0x80070002" or "0x80070003" error code after you download an update from Windows Update, from Microsoft Update, or from Windows Server Update Services

I tried 'Fix it' but it didn't work. I still get error 0x80070002 when I try to backup

Did you also try the manual "Let me fix it myself" method there?

I tried to but when I opened services like I was told to, Automatic Updates wasn't listed.

Look for the Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service services instead.

I followed the instructions but when I typed in ren SoftwareDistribution SDTemp it responded with access denied. However, I then tried to backup and it was successful!

In summary, I don't know what I did or if I even did anything, but it works now so thankyou very much for your help.

That's great news Joe. I'm happy to hear that it sorted itself out for you.

Brink said:

First, you would need to have all protected OS files set to be displayed. After using the DIR /AL /S command, you would look at the path to the right of each {JUNCTION} listed in the command prompt.

From here, you would go to those folder locations in Windows Explorer, right click on that folder with the shortcut arrow on it, and click on Properties. If, and only if, it has Mounted Volume as the folder's Type, you would delete that folder. If that folder doesn't have Mounted Volume as the it's Type, then don't delete it. Repeat this for each folder of each {JUNCTION} listed.

When finished, set protected OS files to not show anymore, and try backing up again.

Click to expand...

Hi Shawn,

I'm having the same error and am confused about the above instructions. First - a few days ago my machine had trouble with an external 2TB USB drive - two partitions W: and X: - that I use for backups. The machine took ages to see the drives and would hang while a green bar slowing progressed. Windows backup to partition W: failed with "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error (0x8007045D)" - I used
chkdsk /r W: as in microsoft Article ID: 952272. chkdsk reporting fixing some errors and marking 1 cluster bad. The machine now finds the drive again quickly so I tried the backup again now I get
error 0x81000037.

I have tried the suggested fix above, and have many JUNCTIONS listed on C: which is the drive I'm trying to backup. (I have both normal and hidden system files showing), when I look at the listed folder locations some have a 'lock' icon rather than 'shortcut arrow' icon, but none have type 'mounted volume'

So I'm stuck. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Hello Baritompa,

You would only want to delete any that had the type of "mounted volume", and not anything else. It appears that it wasn't caused by that.

If you like, please go ahead and create a new separate thread to see what we can do to help.

I know this is a ridiculously old thread but the issue for me was that the Volume Shadow Copy service was not running.... not sure why, or how it ever got disabled.

To check / fix the Volume Shadow Copy service:
1. Click Start/Run: services.msc
2. Find: "Volume Shadow Copy"
3. Right-click, and adjust properties, set it to Automatic (Delayed start).
4. While still in that window start the service manually
5. Run backup again.

Solved for me.