Windows Backup and Restore encountered an internal error and failed

Good morning. I am running a Dell PC with Windows 11 Home 25H2. I have used Windows Backup and Restore forever on this and previous PCs as I like to have a physical copy of my backups. However the backup failed for the first time the other day. It said backup encountered an internal error and I got error code 0X8100001. I contacted Microsoft and we installed a Repair Version of Windows but no help. I have gotten an error code 08004231f and another stating the backup location cannot be found. I have tried 2 external hard drives and still failed. I checked C as well as both drives for errors.We have tried working with cmd, services, troubleshooters and restarts. All the services are set to run that need to be I was told. I have absolutely no idea what to do next and neither does Microsoft. Their only solution was to save my backup to OneDrive, which I did, but as I said I also would like a physical copy.

I am totally lost and have no other ideas what it could possibly be or why it started/keeps failing after working for years. Thank you in advance.

Use better modern backup software instead of the deprecated Microsoft solution.

Welcome.

Had only 2 issues with that Windows 7 B&R, turned out to be a problem relating to Windows Restore Points (Different from backup) I had to clear them all to proceed any further.
Having said that, I can’t remember if these restore points (Shadow copies) prevented a restore or prevented a backup. But it was or is a known issue.
I use Hasleo now.

Thank you to both of you for responding. I had did a factory image restore but did not know exactly what I was doing. My files were backed up but not on an external device so it means squat. I have one system repair from a couple of days ago I am running but I don't know if that will work. I also have a system image on my system I am trying to restore from but it keeps asking me to burn a disk as it will erase the contents of the hard drive. I have never restored from a system image before and my PC does not have access to discs.

antspants said:

Welcome.

Had only 2 issues with that Windows 7 B&R, turned out to be a problem relating to Windows Restore Points (Different from backup) I had to clear them all to proceed any further.
Having said that, I can’t remember if these restore points (Shadow copies) prevented a restore or prevented a backup. But it was or is a known issue.
I use Hasleo now.

antspants - Tips for using Hasleo Backup (Free) for the first time

This Tutorial will help guide you with using Hasleo Backup (Free) for the first time. A step by step process for creating a Windows 11 system image which is a comprehensive backup of your entire computer, including the operating system, installed programs, system settings, and personal files...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

I have found that I do have a system image on one of my hard drives. It is on d, but listed as disk 0 partition 5.

When I click on it to access the drive I get

The disk image isn't initialized, contains partitions that aren't recognizable, or contains volumes that haven't been assigned drive letters. Please use the Disk Management snap-in to make sure that the disk, partitions, and volumes are in a usable state.

What do I need to do to restore the image?

I found something about disk management and under d it shows as a Healthy (Recovery Partition).

Also even though my backup is on D it says when I go to system image restore it is on G. But there is no G unless the partition created is now marked G?