Windows 10: Fix Windows Backup Failed Error 0x80780166 (0x80070002)

​

This post will help to properly fix Windows Backup encountered an error when writing data to the backup target (0x80780166), The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002) on your Windows 11/10 computer. Some users face this issue that when they try to create a system image or take a backup of their Windows, the […]

This article Fix Windows Backup Failed Error 0x80780166 (0x80070002) first appeared on TheWindowsClub.com.

read more...

 

System Image Backup Failed with error: The backup failed. Windows Backup encountered an error when writing data to the backup target. (0x80780166) & 0x80070002 on Windows 10

I just installed a new external hard drive on my new Win 10 desktop. I successfully formatted it after some appreciated technical help from Seagate. When I tried to do a System Image to this hard drive through the Control Panel and File History, my new hard
drive was recognized as a place to save the backup.

Within a minute after starting the backup, a pop-up appeared on my screen telling me, "The backup failed. Windows Backup encountered an error when writing data to the backup target. (0x80780166). Additional information: The system cannot find the file
specified. (0x80070002)."

I then had to abort the procedure.

Can someone please help me?

John

Original title: System Image Backup Failed

 

windows 10 backup failed - error code 0x80780166

I have never had a successful backup with windows 10. The error code I get is 0x80780166. Can someone help me?

 

System Image Backup Failed with error: The backup failed. Windows Backup encountered an error when writing data to the backup target. (0x80780166) & 0x80070002 on Windows 10

Found another solution which may apply to some people.

I'd taken a system image and system repair disk before sending my laptop off for repair. As it turned out I was sent a new, identical unit instead. I successfully re-created my previous installation from those two backups. When I went to do a system image
of the new box some time later, to the same external disk, it failed on 0x80780166 and 0x80070002.

Most of the recommendations I found on the various fora seemed to relate to permissions and I realised the most likely explanation was that the new box couldn't access a folder created by the old box. I just deleted the old image backup folders and let it
start from scratch and it worked fine.

All of the above were done on Windows 10. The latest major update had just been applied prior to the most recent backup attempt.

But Microsoft, I think it's pretty lame that in 2016 you're still spitting out 0x80780166 and 0x80070002 when surely it would be no more trouble or expense to give something like "System image does not have permission to read folder xx\yy\zz". It would save
people a lot of time and exasperation. Just sayin'.