Windows Backup - The system cannot find the file specified

[Vahryx]

Hi,

For quite a while I was having a problem with windows backup coming up with the error "The system cannot find the file specified." I tried using other programs to backup but they all either had an error or hung. I could not find a solution. So, yesterday I decided to reinstall Windows 7 Home Premium to try and solve the problem. I finally got all my core programs and drivers and decided to try a backup. I get the exact same error as I did before the re-installation. This has made me super frustrated that I reinstalled with no backup for absolutely no reason.

After the re-installation there was a windows.old folder in my c drive which I deleted (This might be causing the error this time?)

TL;DR
Fresh install of Windows 7 Home Premium has error "The system cannot find the file specified" when trying to use Windows Backup. Deletion of windows.old folder might be the cause.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome Vahryx now did you just reinstall - without wiping the drive first ? because personally I save all my data and then use clean in DISKPART to wipe the drive and then reinstall it is of course a pain to have to reinstall the programs and the updates but the data is easily installed from wherever you store it on. Doing it that way removes any remnants from the drive that may cause issues.

To see how clean is done in DISKPART see this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

 

[Holmes177]

If you had a windows.old file on the C: drive, then you didn't do a clean install. You did an Upgrade install, or what some call a non-destructive install that saves all your programs and documents. Seems like it saved your problem, also. Copy all your docs, etc to an ext hard drive or USB thumb drive, then wipe the C: drive.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep Holmes that is basically what I was telling the OP maybe I wasn't explicit enough as I try to make things as simplistic as possible .

 

[AddRAM]

And when you say backup, exactly what do you mean ? Are you just backing up data (which should not even be stored on the same drive or partition as windows) or are you talking about creating a disk image ?

You have to delete your entire drive to unallocated space, then either create an install partition for windows or just click next if you want to use the entire drive for windows.

Make sure you don`t have any other drives connected when you install windows.


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html