Error 0x80780166 Unable to create a system image has been fixed

 

When you run the built-in backup software- Backup and Restore (Windows), you may encounter error 0x80780166. This post explains how to fix Windows backup error. In addition to the Windows snapshot tool, you can use third-party software to back up your operating system.

Several users raised concerns about the 0x80780166 error when backing up Windows 10. They have used the Windows snap backup tool hundreds of times and never encountered this problem.

If you come across the same error message 0x80780166, we have some working tips for you. More specifically, below are a number of possible repair strategies that other users in a similar situation have successfully used to solve the problem.

What is the cause of error code 0x80780166?

So what can cause this Windows backup error 0x80780166? In fact, there are many reasons why Windows backup error 0x80780166 occurs. We have listed some of them here.

• Corrupt system files
• Incorrect setting of the status of the "Volume Shadow Copy" function.
• Corrupt data in WindowsImageBackup folder.
• Corruption of the underlying file.

Whatever the cause, the most important thing is to fix Windows backup error 0x80780166. In the next section, we will show you how to fix Windows 10 backup error 0x80780166.

What should I do if I get error 0x80780166?

Set the SSV service status to Automatic.

The most common cause of error code 0x80780166 is a faulty instance of Volume Shadow Copy Service (commonly known as VSS service). It is likely that the backup process cannot be completed because the VSS service startup type is set to Manual.

Several users who also encountered this problem reported that they were finally able to fix it by changing the Volume Shadow Copy Service startup type from Manual to Automatic. After that, most of the affected users reported that they were able to complete the backup process without encountering error code 0x80780166.

Here is a quick guide on how to change the Volume Shadow Copy Service status type to Automatic:

Note: These instructions work regardless of the operating system version where the issue is occurring.

1. Press Windows+R to open the Run dialog box. Type "service.msc" in the "Run" box and press "Enter" to open the Services window.
2. In the Services window, scroll through the list of (local) services and look for "Volume Shadow Copy". Right-click and choose Properties from the context menu.
3. In the Volume Shadow Copy Service properties screen, select the General tab from the list of menu items and change the Startup type to Automatic. Then click "Apply" to save your changes.
4. Reboot your computer and repeat the action that caused the error code 0x80780166 on the next boot.

If the same problem persists, move on to the next method.

Clean up the WindowsImageBackup folder.

It turns out that this particular problem can occur when the hard drive the user is trying to back up to already contains files left over from a previous backup. In most cases, this error code occurs when a previous backup operation was interrupted or there was not enough disk space to complete it.

Several users who were in a similar situation confirmed that they were able to solve the problem by accessing the drive where they were trying to save the backup and deleting the contents of the Windows Image Backup folder windowsimagebackup. After this and repeated attempts, most of the users involved reported that the problem no longer exists.

Here are some steps you can follow to remove Windowsimagebackup folder to fix error code 0x80780166:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the drive you just tried to back up to.
2. From there, locate the WindowsImageBackup folder and double-click to open it. Note that this folder is hidden by default. If you don't see it, go to the "View" tab at the top of the screen and check the "Hidden items" checkbox.
3. When the hidden folders are visible, go to the WindowsImageBackup folder, select each file and delete everything until the folder is empty.
4. Restart the backup process and check if the problem is resolved.

If you still get the same error code 0x80780166, continue to the next possible solution below.

Run the SFC and DISM scanners.

According to various user reports, this problem can also appear due to corrupted system files that somehow interfere with the backup process. It turns out that in such situations you can fix error 0x80780166 by running some utilities that can fix logical errors and corrupted system files: DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker).

Note that both tools are useful in situations caused by errors in system files, but they have different approaches on how to deal with corrupted files. For example, SFC is better able to fix logical errors because it relies on a locally cached copy when corrupted items need to be replaced with clean copies. On the other hand, DISM is better able to repair faulty operating system components and uses Windows Update (WU) component to download new copies that are used to replace corrupted files.

Both utilities are useful in their own way, so we recommend running both if you encounter error 0x80780166 and previous patches didn't help. How to proceed:

• Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows+R. Then type "cmd" in the text menu and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open a Command Prompt with administrative privileges. If you see UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant admin privileges.
• In the expanded CMD window, type the following command and press Enter to start DISM scan:
• Dism.exe/online/cleanup-image/scanhealth
  Dism.exe/online/cleanup-image/restorehealth
• Note: Be aware that DISM actively uses Windows Update to download clean copies of the files to be replaced. Make sure you have a reliable internet connection before starting this process. The first command (scanhealth) is used to scan the system for inconsistencies and the second command (restorehealth) is used to replace the inconsistencies found in the first scan.
• After the DISM scan finishes, restart your computer and wait for the next boot sequence.
• After the next full boot, do step 1 again to open another advanced command line, then type the following command and press Enter again to start another SFC scan:
• sfc/scans.
• Note: Keep in mind that it is not recommended to cancel the process once the SFC scan has started.
  This will expose your system to more logic errors in the future.
• Restart your computer and check if error 0x80780166 is resolved.

If the problem persists, continue to the next possible solution below.

Use a system restore utility

If error 0x80780166 persists and the problem only started after you performed a certain action that ended prematurely (with an unexpected shutdown, critical error, etc.), you can solve the problem by using the System Restore utility use to restore your computer to a healthy state where the error did not occur.

This tool can use snapshots to restore your computer to a previous state. Note that by default Windows is set to create new snapshots for every important event on your PC (application installation, important update, security scan, etc.). If you haven't changed the default behavior, you probably have a lot of snapshots.

Before you follow the instructions below to restore your computer to an earlier date, remember that all changes made since creation will be lost. This means that any application, user preference, or anything else that was enforced during this period will be rolled back.

If you decide to restore the system, here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Press Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box. In the text box, type "rstrui" and press Enter to open the System Restore Wizard.
2. In the System Restore Wizard, click Next at the first prompt to go to the next menu.
3. Next, select the restore point that was dated before the first backup attempt and click Next to go to the final menu.
4. To start the recovery process, just click Finish and then click Yes on the confirmation prompt to start the recovery process.
5. After a few seconds, the computer will reboot and the new status will be applied the next time you start the system.
6. After the old status is enforced, try backing up the operating system again to see if the same error occurred.

If the error 0x80780166 still occurs when you save the Windows version later, move on to the next method.

Performing a repair/clean install

If you were not able to fix the problem with any of the solutions listed above, the problem may be related to a corrupted system file that cannot be fixed in the traditional way. If this scenario applies, you might be able to solve the problem by resetting all operating system components to ensure that any case of corrupted system files is completely resolved.

Several Windows users who have also had trouble fixing error 0x80780166 have confirmed that the problem no longer occurs and they were able to back up easily after a recovery install or a clean install.

If you want to complete the process as quickly as possible and are not afraid of data loss, a clean install is the best solution. This targeted approach resets all Windows components that may have been affected by the corruption. The big downside, however, is that all personal files including apps, games, user settings, and personal data will also be lost (unless you back up your data with a third-party program).

A longer but effective way to keep most of your files (including apps, games, and personal data) is to perform an on-site repair install. However, don't forget that you will need installation media, or create one if you don't already have one.

frequently asked Questions

What is wrong with error code 0x80780166?

The most common cause of error code 0x80780166 is a failed instance of the Volume Shadow Copy Service (commonly known as the VSS service). It is likely that the backup process will not complete because the VSS service startup type is set to manual.

What is error code 0x81000037?

0x81000037: Windows Backup could not read a "ghost copy" on one of the backup volumes. This problem occurs when you try to back up a specific library or when you use the default Windows backup and restore settings.

How do I secure Windows Server?

1. Start a Windows Server backup.
2. Select local backup.
3. Click Backup Once in the Actions pane to run the Backup Once wizard.
4. On the Backup Configuration page, select Miscellaneous Options, and then click Next.
5. On the Select Backup Configuration page, select Custom, and then click Next.

How do I access my Windows Server backup?

Click Start, select Administrative Tools, and then Windows Server Backup. The Windows Server Backup Console is displayed. In the Actions pane, click Backup program. The backup wizard will appear.