Solved When backing up the registry, I get the message "Cannot export [filepath]. Error writing the file. There may be a disk or file system error"

a_shrxydud · Oct 24, 2023

I have tried both DISM /online /restorehealth, and SFC /scannow which did repair files, however the problem persisted. Going into safe mode, exporting to different drives, and using a different user also still gave this message. Even though I'm getting this error, it still creates a .reg file which is usually around 500 MB big. Would this be safe to use as a back up even though the error says it couldnt write the file? If not, is there any way to fix this error without reinstalling windows. Backing up individual subkeys gives this error too

Ghot · Oct 24, 2023

Hello @a_shrxydud and welcome to ElevenForum.

Please post a screen shot of Disk Management, expanded, so we can read everything.

To post a screenshot on this forum...

1. Take the screenshot, edit it as desired, save to your desktop as .png or .jpg (max. size = 2MB)
2. Left click in your post, where you want to place the screenshot.
3. Click the Attach Files button at lower left, browse to your pic and click Insert.
4. After clicking Insert, I usually choose the Thumbnail option.

POLYSIUS · Oct 24, 2023

Did you try:

Code:

chkdsk /scan

?

a_shrxydud · Oct 25, 2023

I just tried chkdsk /scan, it reported no problems and no bad sectors. I'm not fully sure what 'expanded' means for disk management, i assume fullscreen?

POLYSIUS · Oct 25, 2023

You have 2 EFI-Partitions! Is there a complete OS on Disk 0 Partition D (GameDrive)?
The "Restore Partition" is an old ASUS OEM-Partition for Recovery?
Your Backup-Partition for the Registry is where?
or do you use the C:\Windows\System32\config\regback -folder?
The screenshot is ok.
You could run: cmd (admin)

Code:

bcdedit

to find your active boot partition.

a_shrxydud · Oct 25, 2023

The D drive used to have an OS installed, but I formatted it. All thats on there now is just personal files.
I dont know what 'RESTORE' is exactly, but I guess it is an ASUS restore partition as the C drive is the original drive it came with.
I dont know where the Registry backup partition is, should there be one? I was trying to export a reg file that I can access later in case something goes wrong.
Attached is the results of 'bcdedit'

POLYSIUS · Oct 25, 2023

OK, it's good to format the EFI Partition on Disk 0 also
(Your active EFI is on disk 1)

run cmd (admin)

Code:

diskpart
sel disk 0
list par
sel par 1
format quick fs=ntfs
exit

I'll check the registry-export function later.
Can you find on C:\Windows\System32\config\regback-folder?
It can be activated by a simple Registry-Entry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Configuration Manager
Add Dword 32Bit [EnablePeriodicBackup] set to 1
Reboot and check
C:\Windows\System32\config\regback-Folder. It should not be empty now.

Does your Recovery-Partition work properly?

Hold <Shift>+Start ==>Reboot
or you type: cmd (Admin)

Code:

reagentc /boottore

and reboot normally.

When you select the File>Export Function in the Registry, you will be asked for a destination folder. What did you select?

Think about a good Backup&Recovery Solution. Macrium, Aomei, Acronis etc.

a_shrxydud · Oct 25, 2023

I've added the registry entry in and RegBack is no longer empty, but all the files are 0 KB and have no extension. The 'reagentc /boottore' command booted into the Windows recovery environment with no issues When exporting the registry I tried the root of D:, the downloads folder and documents folder on C:.
i was able to export HKEY LOCAL MACHINE to my D drive without issues, which is what I was originally going to edit. Thanks for helping

POLYSIUS · Oct 25, 2023

Sorry, I forgot to mention that you have to activate "System Restore" for the (C:) drive first. It is not activated by default!
And don't forget to format the old EFI-Partition!
Also run:

Code: