Backup error

Gggg · Nov 11, 2021

Hello,

I am trying to backup my files but I encounter this issue with several files located under user "guill".

Here is the error: "Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\guill\Searches. Error

The system cannot find the path specified. (0x80070003))"

"guill" was my 1st user which I deleted and now my user is called GV. I imagine I need to update the pathway somehow for the backup to be aligned with the new address. (I've already tweaked the registry ProfileImagePath but that doesn't seem to be enough... any ideas?

Many thanks

Ghot · Nov 11, 2021

@Gggg

If you are using Windows backup software... you shouldn't be.
Even Microsoft has recommended against using it's own backup software.

Most of us on here use Macrium Reflect for backup chores.

Macrium Reflect | Free 30-Day Trial

Macrium Reflect - Incredibly powerful software that allows you to create and schedule effective backups

www.macrium.com

Here is a quickie guide for making a backup with Macrium...

Official tutorial: Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

Gggg · Nov 11, 2021

Ok, great! Thanks for the recommendation, I've never heard of it

Also just to mention, I have been using File History and in the folder where it backs up it also automatically created the user folder called 'guill' which is the old user

Ghot · Nov 11, 2021

Gggg said:
Ok, great! Thanks for the recommendation, I've never heard of it

Also just to mention, I have been using File History and in the folder where it backs up it also automatically created the user folder called 'guill' which is the old user

Windows backup software has a lot of problems, which is why Microsoft is deprecating Windows backup.

If you don't like Macrium, there are other backup softwares available like...

AOMEI Backupper
Acronis True Image
Paragon Hard Disk Manager

But, as I mentioned... 90% of the people on here and on Ten Forums, use Macrium Reflect.

Stigg · Nov 11, 2021

Gggg said:
"guill" was my 1st user which I deleted and now my user is called GV. I imagine I need to update the pathway somehow for the backup to be aligned with the new address. (I've already tweaked the registry ProfileImagePath but that doesn't seem to be enough... any ideas?

Did you delete or rename the profile folder? You're probably going to have other problems if you did.
If you only wanted to change the user name, you could have done that in Accounts if you're using a local account.

Restoring an image backup would have been an easy way to fix things, but reading your posts, it doesn't appear that you have one.
I'm not even sure if System Restore will work for you, but you can try.

Maybe read up on this.

Change Name of User Profile Folder in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to rename a user profile folder for any account (local account or Microsoft account) in Windows 10 and Windows 11. When adding a new user account in Windows, a profile for the account is automatically created when the user signs in to the new account for the...

www.elevenforum.com

Gggg · Nov 11, 2021

I renamed the original admin folder

Thanks for the link, I had a look and I've done everything that's on there

I'm actually not trying to restore my computer right now (I already have an image backup, that worked fine), I'm just trying to do the other back up Windows offers so that I have another safe copy of my current files. But Windows is giving me errors regarding that previous user...

How about creating a new user, making that admin and deleting my current user? Maybe that would create new pathways and solve it

Either way I'm going to give Macrium a shot

Stigg · Nov 11, 2021

Gggg said:
How about creating a new user, making that admin and deleting my current user? Maybe that would create new pathways and solve it.

Yes, you can create another user, but you'll have to set everything up again.

Ghot · Nov 11, 2021

Gggg said:
How about creating a new user, making that admin and deleting my current user? Maybe that would create new pathways and solve it

If it were me, I'd just re-install Windows 11. That will take far less time, than untangling whatever has happened with your user(s).
Get Windows 11 installed properly, updated, personalized, then make a Macrium Reflect backup.

THEN you can play around with things...to your hearts desire. If something goes wrong... restore from a backup and try again. :)

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

Stigg · Nov 11, 2021

Ghot said:
If it were me, I'd just re-install Windows 11. That will take far less time, than untangling whatever has happened with your user(s).

Yes, that's another option.

Gggg · Nov 11, 2021

Thanks for your help guys! I'll do that

The OCD in me wants to solve the pathway issue, not sure I could live with that

I'll also use Macrium cause it seems to work like a charm

Stigg · Nov 11, 2021

If you're fussy about the name of the user folder, like me. This is what I do.
I always install Windows with a local account, then switch it over to a Microsoft account afterwards.
If you install Windows with a Microsoft account first, you get an oddly named user profile folder name.

If you install Windows with a local account first, name the user the name you want as your user profile folder.
For example. I install Windows on all people's using the same name every time simply to give all the computers the same and consistent user profile folder. I use the name "Admin". You can choose whatever word takes your fancy.

Ghot · Nov 11, 2021

Gggg said:
Thanks for your help guys! I'll do that

The OCD in me wants to solve the pathway issue, not sure I could live with that

I'll also use Macrium cause it seems to work like a charm

Start with a clean install, and a fresh backup, THEN let your OCD run wild.
That's what I do for my OCD.

One day, my OCD did this...

Windows 11 Tweaks - Leader Board.

These are tweaks I've seen asked for... many times. They are collected here for easy access. All of these and more can be found in the Eleven Forum Tutorials section. Make sure to read the "notes" in the various tutorials. At the bottom of the first post in all the "tutorials", there are...

www.elevenforum.com

On another day, my OCD had way too much coffee, and did this...

Firefox... taming the beast part 2 !! - Windows 10 Help Forums

First things first... stop Firefox from automatically updating. Simply unzip and drop this "distribution" folder into... C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox After manually updating Firefox this folder will be erased, so save a copy somewher

www.tenforums.com

My OCD just doesn't take NO for an answer...

But even my OCD, which HAS OCD, doesn't mess with tangled user profiles.
That's like trying to untangle a dumptruck full of thin spaghetti, and regular spaghetti. with angel hair pasta thrown in.

Gggg · Nov 11, 2021

Stigg said:
If you're fussy about the name of the user folder, like me. This is what I do.
I always install Windows with a local account, then switch it over to a Microsoft account afterwards.
If you install Windows with a Microsoft account first, you get an oddly named user profile folder name.

If you install Windows with a local account first, name the user the name you want as your user profile folder.
For example. I install Windows on all people's using the same name every time simply to give all the computers the same and consistent user profile folder. I use the name "Admin". You can choose whatever word takes your fancy.

Good idea!

Gggg · Nov 11, 2021

Ghot said:
Start with a clean install, and a fresh backup, THEN let your OCD run wild.
That's what I do for my OCD.

One day, my OCD did this...

Windows 11 Tweaks - Leader Board.

These are tweaks I've seen asked for... many times. They are collected here for easy access. All of these and more can be found in the Eleven Forum Tutorials section. Make sure to read the "notes" in the various tutorials. At the bottom of the first post in all the "tutorials", there are...

www.elevenforum.com

On another day, my OCD had way too much coffee, and did this...

Firefox... taming the beast part 2 !! - Windows 10 Help Forums

First things first... stop Firefox from automatically updating. Simply unzip and drop this "distribution" folder into... C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox After manually updating Firefox this folder will be erased, so save a copy somewher

www.tenforums.com

My OCD just doesn't take NO for an answer...

View attachment 13372

Haha! Ok... you win.

Ghot · Nov 11, 2021

Gggg said:
Haha! Ok... you win.

There are a few folk on here that could or would, take on... untangling user profiles.
So if you want... just wait 12 hours or so till everyone gets online.

Me... I try to let my OCD run things right from the start (during the install).
Then it can take vacation for the rest of the time, running whichever particular version of Windows I happen to be on.

It's your choice, obviously.
Like I said, if you want, just wait for 12 hours or so, and someone will want to "leap to the task".
The Euro crowd should start arriving in about 2 hours. The US crowd in about 7-8 hours.

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