7 Solutions to Windows Backup Error Code 0x8100002F

What Is Backup Error Code 0x8100002F?

Both File History and Backup and Restore (Windows 7) are useful inbuilt utilities for you to create a backup on Windows PC. However, some errors may occur when you perform a backup task via the two tools such as size of backup: 0 bytes, error code 0x81000033, File History drive disconnected, and more.

In this post, we will show you how to get rid of another Windows backup error -0x8100002F from your Windows 10 devices. This error code usually appears altogether with the error message: The backup completed but some files were skipped.

When you get this error message, hit View skipped files and you will see one of the following error logs:

• Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\<folder Name>. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))
• Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\<User Name>\AppData\LocalLow. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))
• Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\<User Name>\Contacts. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))
• Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\<User Name>\Searches. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))
• Windows Backup will fail with error code 0x80070002, “The system cannot find the file specified.”

These error logs indicate that the potential reasons for Windows backup error code 0x8100002F might be:

• Backed up library contains custom folders.
• Backed up files in the LocalLow, Contacts, and Searches
• There are some bad sectors on the hard drive.
• There exists corruption in system files or Windows images.
• The Contacts folder under the user profile is missing.
• The NVIDIA USB EHCI chipset driver is conflicted with a generic equivalent.

If you are in the same boat, scroll down to try the fixes discussed in the following part.

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How to Fix Windows Backup Error Code 0x8100002F?

Fix 1: Check Hard Disk

At first, you can take advantage of CHKDSK to check the hard drive for errors, bad sectors, system files and health issues. This might also do the trick for you when you run into backup error code 0x8100002F. To do so:

Step 1. Press Win + S to evoke the search bar.

Step 2. Type cmd to locate Command Prompt and right-click on it to choose Run as administrator.

Step 3. Type chkdsk c: /f /r /x and hit Enter.

Step 4. Reboot your computer to perform the disk-checking process.

Fix 2: Perform SFC & DISM Scans

If there is any corruption in system files or Windows images, it will also result in the occurrence of backup error code 0x8100002F. If it is the case, you can use the combination of SFC & DISM to find and repair damaged system files and corrupted Windows image files.  

Step 1. Launch Command Prompt with administrative rights.

Step 2. In the command window, type sfc /scannow and hit Enter. It will take 15-20 minutes to complete the scanning process. As soon as it is over, reboot your computer.

Step 3. Launch Command Prompt as an administrator again.

Step 4. Execute the following command lines one by one:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 5. After the process is done, reboot your computer to inspect if error code: 0x8100002F still exists.

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Fix 3: Modify the Registry

There might be some unwanted changes in the Registry Editor causing backup error code 0x8100002F to appear. For example, you may delete the Contacts folder under the user profile by accident. In this case, it is a good choice to remove these keys which lack the ProfileImagePath string value from your computer.

Step 1. Press Win + R altogether to evoke the Run box.

Step 2. Type regedit and hit Enter to launch Registry Editor. Type Yes to grant permissions if prompted by UAC.

Step 3. Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > ProfileList

Step 4. Under the ProfileList key, click on any folder listed below and jump to the right side to look for a string value called ProfileImagePath. If you can find it, it indicates that the user profile is okay and you need to switch to the next solution. If not, you can delete the entire folder.

Make sure to check all the folders under ProfileList and reboot your computer after modifying the registry.

Fix 4: Move the Problematic Library Folder

It is reported that most of you may encounter backup error 0x8100002F when copying the Contacts folder under the user profile. In such a case, you can move such a file or folder to another location. Follow the instructions below:

Step 1. When you are prompted by the error message, check the location mentioned in it. Then, find the path of the problematic file or folder by clicking View skipped files. For example, the path of the Contacts folder is C:\Users\User Name\Contacts, so you need to navigate to the location in File Explorer.

Step 2. Right-click on the folder, highlight Cut in the context menu and choose to move it to another location outside your user profile.

Step 3. Execute the backup task again to see if Windows backup error code 0x8100002F disappears.

Fix 5: Exclude the Problematic Folders

If the culprit of backup error code 0x8100002F is the LocalLow, Contacts, and Searches folders, you can exclude them in Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. Open the Run dialog > type control > hit Enter to launch Classic Control Panel.

Step 2. Find Backup and Restore (Windows 7) under System and Security and click on it.

Step 3. Press Set up backup on the right-hand section of the screen.

Step 4. In the Set up backup window, you can either choose a viable partition to create the backup or click on Save on a network to save it over the network.

Step 5. Tick Let me choose and hit Next.

Step 6. Expand Data files > your UserName Libraries > Additional Locations, and then deselect AppData folder, Contacts, and Searches.

Then, expand Computer > expand the system drive > Users > your username and tick AppData, Contacts, and Searches if they exist.

Step 7. Click on Next > Save settings and run backup to start the operation.

Fix 6: Use an External Drive for the Backup

There is a chance that you create a backup on the same hard drive, and then you will also receive the backup error code 0x8100002F on your computer. To get rid of this error, you are supposed to create a backup on an external disk so you can restore your data when the internal hard drive is corrupted.  

Fix 7: Update NVIDIA USB EHCI Chipset Driver

There might be a conflict between the NVIDIA USB Enhanced Host Controller Interface (EHCI) chipset driver and a generic equivalent hence spawning backup error code 0x8100002F. To address this error, try updating or uninstalling the corresponding chipset driver:

Step 1. Type device manager in the search bar and tap on Enter.

Step 2. Find Universal Serial Bus controllers and expand it.

Step 3. Right-click on NVIDIA USB EHCI chipset and choose Update driver.

Step 4. Click Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen guidelines to finish the installation of the driver version.

If this utility cannot find a new version of the driver, you can right-clicking on NVIDIA USB EHCI chipset and choosing Uninstall device. This operation will remove the driver supplied by NVIDIA and allows its generic equivalent driver to run.

Step 5. Reboot your computer to see if you can create a backup without errors.

I manage to remove Windows backup error code 0x8100002F from my computer with the solutions in this article. If you are also plagued by the same issue, these fixes are worth a try.Click to Tweet

Suggestion: Back up Your Files with A More Handy Tool – MiniTool ShadowMaker

If you are not tech-savvy or sick of consuming much time to troubleshoot error code 0x8100002F, why don’t you choose a more user-friendly tool to complete your backup? Here, it is suggested to back up your files with a piece of free backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker.

With this tool in hand, you can easily back up and restore your files, folders, disks, partitions and operating systems on your Windows PC. Now, let’s see how to create a file backup with it:

Step 1. Download & install MiniTool ShadowMaker and you can enjoy its service for free within 30 days.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 2. Launch this program and click on Keep Trial.

Step 3. Go to the Backup page > hit SOURCE > press Folders and Files to choose the backup source. As for selecting the destination path, go to DESTINATION. Here, we also recommend you back up your files to an external drive or a USB flash drive.

Step 4. Press Back Up Now to start the process.

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That’s all for Windows backup error code 0x8100002F. If you still have some puzzles about it or our products, don’t hesitate to leave your comments below or send an email to us via [email protected]. Appreciate your time!

0x8100002F FAQ