How to Reset Windows Backup Files Configuration in Windows 7 and Windows 8

   Information

This will show you how to reset the backup user and system files current configuration back to a default unconfigured state in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

You must be logged in as an administrator to reset Windows Backup.

   Note

This can be handy if you had deleted the current User and System Backup Files, and would like to reset this back to a default unconfigured state to not have the last backup information still displayed in Backup and Restore.

   Tip

Backup User and System Files will remain in a default unconfigured state until the next time you create a new User and System files backup.

EXAMPLE: Backup User and System Files Configured and Reset
NOTE: The left screenshot is Backup with an existing backup configuration with the backup files deleted. The right screenshot is Backup reset to the default unconfigured state.

OPTION ONE

To Reset Windows Backup to Default using a Reg File Download

1. Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.

Reset_Back_Up_Files.reg

Download

2. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.

3. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

4. Click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted.

5. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

6. If You Had Set an Automatic Backup Schedule
NOTE: This is to remove the automatic backup schedule from within Task Scheduler so that you will not get a "The last backup did not complete successfully" type message in Action Center.

A) Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.

B) If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

C) In the left pane of Task Scheduler, double click/tap on Task Scheduler Library, Microsoft, and Windows to expand them, then select WindowsBackup. (see screenshot below)

D) In the middle pane, right click/tap on only AutomaticBackup (if available), and click on Delete. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If AutomaticBackup is not there, then you did not have a automatic backup schedule set.

E) Click/tap on OK to confirm deletion. (see screenshot below)

F) Close Task Scheduler.

OPTION TWO

To Reset Windows Backup to Default in Registry Editor

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog,, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below (see screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsBackup

4. In the right pane, right click on ValidConfig and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot above)

5. Click/tap on Yes to confirm deletion.

6. The registry will now look like this. (see screenshot below)

7. In the left pane, right click on ScheduleParams and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot below)

8. Click on Yes to confirm deletion.

9. In the left pane, right click on Security and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot below)

10. Click/tap on Yes to confirm deletion.

11. In the left pane, right click on Status and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot below)

12. Click/tap on Yes to confirm deletion.

13. The registry will now look like this. (2ee screenshot below)

14. Close regedit.

15. If You Had Set a Automatic Backup Schedule
NOTE: This is to remove the automatic backup schedule from within Task Scheduler so that you will not get a "The last backup did not complete successfully" type message in Action Center.

A) Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.

B) If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes if administrator or enter the administrator's password if standard user.

C) In the left pane of Task Scheduler, double click/tap on Task Scheduler Library, Microsoft, and Windows to expand them, then select WindowsBackup. (see screenshot below)

D) In the middle pane, right click on only AutomaticBackup (if available), and click on Delete. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If AutomaticBackup is not there, then you did not have a automatic backup schedule set.

E) Click/tap on OK to confirm deletion. (see screenshot below)

F) Close Task Scheduler.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Back Up User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Create or Set Up Windows Backup to Back Up Files in Windows 8
• How to Turn the Windows 7 Backup Files Schedule On or Off
• How to Delete Windows 7 User and System Backup Files
• How to Restore Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable to Backup Data Files in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 Backup User and System Files Shortcut
• How to Create a Windows 7 Restore Backup User and System Files Shortcut
• How to Create a Windows 7 Backup and Restore Shortcut
• How to Reset File History to Default in Windows 8