Error code: 0x81000033 "Check your backup Windows Backup skipped backing up system image because one of the critical volumes does not have enough free space. Create some space by deleting unnecessary files and try again."

Question

Error code: 0x81000033 "Check your backup Windows Backup skipped backing up system image because one of the critical volumes does not have enough free space. Create some space by deleting unnecessary files and try again."

Hooh 0

TLDR: Trying to back-up my pc to a drive, getting this error message^

I am trying to get the "Back up and Restore (Windows 7)" program to work but it just fails 10 minutes into the backup.

I would like to back my pc up onto a 6TB External hard drive "Hooh PC Backup (F:)". It is empty except for what I think was probably put there from my previous failed backup attempt.
(My pc also has an extra internal hard drive "Main Hard Drive (D:)". Its full of things that I would also like to backup onto "Hooh PC Backup (F:)" but its not the main priority right now.)

I have never backed up my (Windows 10 Pro) pc before and would like to do it before updating to Windows 11.
I'm not fluent in Windows architecture and I don't really know my way around drive stuff.

The error message is too vague and doesn't tell me exactly how much data I need to clear or from what area or what else can be done about it.
I haven't found online tutorials or similar forum posts to be very enlightening or helpful.
**Can anyone please help explain what I should do or what the issue really means?
**I have tried Disk Clean-up but that didn't help.

[I've attached an image of my Disk Management if that helps and also the contents of the (F:) drive]
User's image

User's image

Any support is appreciated, thank you.

0 comments

1 answer

Your answer

Answer 1

This error can occur because there isn't enough free space in the System Reserved or Recovery partitions. As a result, Windows can't create a volume shadow copy. Copying the boot files to volume C (using bcdboot) and marking it as active might fix the issue. But note that the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) tool and the System Image Backup tools are deprecated.

From Microsoft:

Windows 7 Backup and Restore deprecated - Compatibility Cookbook | Microsoft Learn

While there is no behavioral change to Backup and Restore, this function is being deprecated and will not be updated. It was rarely used and its functionality has been replaced by the new File History feature.

Deprecated features in the Windows client - What's new in Windows | Microsoft Learn

System Image Backup (SIB) Solution This feature is also known as the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) legacy control panel. For full-disk backup solutions, look for a third-party product from another software publisher. You can also use OneDrive to sync data files with Microsoft 365.

A third-party backup solution, such as Hasleo, AOMEI Backupper, EaseUS, or Macrium Reflect (not free of charge), is recommended for enhanced reliability.