How to Resolve the Issue of Windows 7 Backup Taking Too Long? Find the Step-by-Step Guide Here

Creating regular backups is one of the most effective ways to prevent data loss and ensure the security of your Windows system. This allows you to restore files in the event of an unexpected error or issue.

Unfortunately, the Windows Backup and Restore system encounters issues while creating a system image or backing up data. The process becomes stuck, freezing and not making any progress, even after waiting for an extended period. You might also experience the following problems:

• System image taking an eternity
• Windows backup frozen while creating a system image
• Windows 7 backup stuck at 97% or 57%

If you're encountering such issues, don't worry. This guide will assist you in resolving these problems with five different methods and also introduce a free tool to address the issue of Windows 7 Backup taking forever.

Why Does Windows 7 Backup Take So Long or Forever?

Many users have encountered the issue of Windows 7 backup failing. Typically, the Windows backup or restore process should take around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the data or system size. When it gets stuck for an extended period, various factors can lead to errors.

If you're wondering where Windows backups are stored, we recommend you read the article below:

Where Are Backup Files Stored? How to Find Windows 10 Backup Files

You understand the significance of backing up files, but unsure about their location post-backup. Wondering where the backup files are stored? This article reveals the answer.

There are several common reasons why a task might become frozen, even when attempting to restore or back it up.

• Bad disk sectors
• Inadequate hard drive space
• Overly large old backup
• System crash
• Corrupted files or folders
• Data affected by virus or malware

Follow the upcoming sections to learn about the solution for resolving Windows 7 Backup issues.

Solve Windows 7 Backup Taking Too Long - Use Backup Software

There are various methods to resolve Windows Backup issues, albeit they can be time-consuming, and individuals inexperienced with Windows settings might find them perplexing. Consequently, we highly recommend the free and efficient backup software, Todo Backup, for Windows 7 users.

It is the most sophisticated and adaptable method for backing up all sorts of files, including operating systems and applications. It saves users' time and effort by providing an array of backup options, such as automatic backup, incremental backup, and differential backup. Furthermore, even beginners can effortlessly perform professional-level backups.

Todo Backup can help back up and restore the image to other computers with different external storage drives. For instance, if your old Windows 7 computer doesn't have enough storage capacity, you can easily back up all your essential data to another computer.

Moreover, this tool allows you to boot up your crashed Windows computer and swiftly recover it from disasters without taking hours, just like System Restore (though there might be instances when it doesn't work as expected, a scenario known as system restore not working). This software is also valuable for cloning your system, backing up disk partitions, upgrading, or transferring your system with ease.

If you're engaged, follow the steps below. It's definitely worth downloading and using.

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer, and click Create Backup on the home screen. Then, hit the big question mark to select backup contents.

Step 2. To back up your Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup task.

Step 3. Your Windows operating system and all system-related files and partitions will be automatically selected, so there's no need for manual selection here. Next, click the highlighted area to choose a location to save your system image backup.

Step 4. The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, network, cloud, or NAS. Generally, we recommend using an external physical drive or cloud to store your system backup files.

Step 5. If interested, you can access customization settings such as enabling an automatic backup schedule for daily, weekly, monthly intervals, or upon specific events, as well as creating differential and incremental backups by clicking on the Options button. Once ready, click "Backup Now". This will initiate the Windows system backup process. When complete, the finished backup task will be displayed on the left side in a card format.

Solve Windows 7 Backup Taking Too Long or Stuck at Creating System Image

It can be frustrating for any Windows user when their Windows 7 backup process takes an eternity or gets stuck. There are countless discussions on this issue, but only a handful provide useful solutions. Therefore, we have compiled a list of the top 5 fixes for the "Windows 7 Backup Taking Forever" problem.

1. 1. Temporarily Disable Antivirus Firewall
2. 2. Set Backup Services to Automatic
3. 3. Disable Running Programs
4. 4. Delete Old Windows Backup
5. 5. Check Disk Errors

1. Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Firewall

Before creating a system image backup, you need to temporarily disable the antivirus or firewall on your computer. These security programs can potentially interrupt the backup process, leaving it incomplete. Once the backup is successfully finished, it's important to re-enable them promptly, as firewalls and antivirus software are essential for safeguarding your system and files from security threats.

2. Set Backup Services to Automatic Step 2: Configure Backup Services to Start Automatically To ensure that your backup services run reliably, you need to set them to start automatically. Follow these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type "services.msc" and press Enter to open the Services Manager. 3. In the Services Manager window, scroll down and locate the backup service(s) you want to configure (e.g., Windows Backup, File History, or any third-party backup service). 4. Right-click on the service and select "Properties." 5. In the Properties window, under the "General" tab, verify that the "Startup type" is set to "Automatic." 6. If it's not already set to Automatic, click the dropdown menu and select "Automatic." 7. Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes. 8. Restart the backup service by right-clicking on it and selecting "Start." Now, your backup service will start automatically when your system boots, ensuring that your data remains protected consistently.

Step 1: Navigate to the Search bar and type 'Run' or press the Windows key + R shortcut.

Step 2: Launch the app and type msc in the Run dialog box. Click OK or press the Enter key to open the Services window.

Step 3: Next, locate and find Volume Shadow Copy and Windows Backup.

Step 4: Verify if both services are started and set to start automatically by going to their properties. Click Start and choose Startup Type as Automatic.

3. Disable Running Programs

Before starting the backup process in System Configuration, disable all running programs. This will facilitate an effortless Windows 7 backup. It won't interfere with the operating system's functionality, and all files will be accessible and safely backed up.

< a id="deleted_old_windows_backup" name="deleted_old_windows_backup">4. Deleted Old Windows Backup

You can delete old Windows 7 backup files to achieve quick results. Please follow these steps to delete them: 1. Press the "Windows" key + "R" on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type "control panel" in the dialog box and hit "Enter" to open the Control Panel. 3. In the Control Panel, select "System and Security." 4. Click on "Backup and Restore." 5. Under the Backup and Restore options, click on "Manage space used by system protection." 6. In the System Properties window, choose the drive for which you want to delete the backups (usually the C: drive). 7. Click the "Clean up" button to remove old backup files. 8. A confirmation prompt will appear. Review the information and click "OK" to proceed with the deletion. 9. Wait for the process to complete. It may take some time depending on the size of the backup files. 10. Once finished, close the Control Panel. By following these steps, you'll free up disk space by deleting old Windows 7 backup files.

Step 1: Navigate to the Search bar, type Control Panel, and open it.

Step 2: Under System and Security, click on Backup and Restore.

Step 3: Click Manage Space.

Step 4: Click View backups, select an old backup image, and press Delete.

Note: If you wish to save the previous system image backup, please move it to another location. If you do not remove it, the new system image will overwrite it, resulting in backup errors.

5. Check Disk Error

To identify any errors on your system disk that might be causing the Windows backup program to freeze while creating a system image, you can run a disk check. Please follow these steps: 1. Press the 'Windows' key + 'X' on your keyboard to open the Quick Link menu. 2. Click on 'Command Prompt (Admin)' or 'PowerShell (Admin)' to launch an elevated command prompt or PowerShell window. 3. Type the following command and press 'Enter': ``` chkdsk /f /r C: ``` Note: Replace 'C:' with the drive letter of your system disk if it's different. 4. You'll be prompted to confirm if you want to schedule the disk check for the next restart. Type 'Y' and press 'Enter'. 5. Restart your computer. The disk check will begin automatically during the startup process. 6. Once the check is complete, Windows will load as usual. Check if the issue with the Windows backup program has been resolved. If the problem persists, there might be other underlying issues, and you may need to seek further assistance or consider alternative backup solutions.

Step 1: Proceed to the search bar, type in command prompt, and hit Enter to launch it.

Step 2: To run the disk check and automatically fix any errors on the C: drive, type or copy/paste chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter.

Note: If your Windows 7 backup is stuck at 97%, you can resolve the issue by replacing 'C:' with the drive letter of your target disk storage.

How to Backup Windows 7 After Resolving the Backup Taking Too Long Issue

The above methods will indeed resolve any issue of Windows 7 taking forever. Now, let's look at how to back up Windows 7 after fixing these issues. To do this, follow these steps to use the built-in backup and restore function in Windows 7: 1. Click on the "Start" button and type "backup" in the search box. Select "Backup and Restore" from the results. 2. In the Backup and Restore window, click on the "Set up backup" option. 3. Choose the hard drive where you want to store your backup files. It's recommended to use an external drive or a network location for safety. 4. Next, select the items you want to back up. You can choose to back up your entire system (recommended) or just specific folders and files. 5. If you choose to back up your entire system, you'll be asked if you want to save a system image. A system image is a complete snapshot of your system, which can be used for a full system recovery. It's recommended to create one. 6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the backup setup process. Windows 7 will guide you through the remaining steps, including scheduling regular backups if desired. 7. Once the setup is finished, click "Save settings and exit" to start the backup process. This may take some time depending on the amount of data being backed up. 8. After the backup is completed, it's a good idea to verify its integrity by performing a test restore. This ensures that you can successfully recover your data in case of any future issues. By following these steps, you'll have a secure backup of your Windows 7 system, ensuring that you're prepared for any potential problems.

Step 1: Head to the search bar, type control panel, and click on the app to open it.

Step 2: In the System and Security section, locate and click on "Backup and Restore."

Step 3: Choose "Set up backup." Select an internal or external drive where you wish to store the backup and click "next."

Note: We recommend using an external drive for backups that you can access from anywhere.

Upon choosing the backup storage location, Windows' default settings suggest backing up all files under Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos. You also have the option to choose specific files and directories to back up, depending on your requirements.

Step 4: In the next window, click "Let me choose" and press Next.

Step 5: Select the desired files and make sure to check the box labeled "Include a system image of local drives."

Step 6: Review your settings, click Save Settings, and then run a backup.

Step 7: If you want to schedule a backup for a later time, select the date and time. Make sure to check the box labeled Run backup on a schedule, then click OK.

Note: Clear the check box if you do not want to schedule a backup.

Step 8: Next, select the option to save the settings and start the backup process.

Step 9: To monitor the progress, click the View Details button.

Note: To prevent any data loss, please wait until the process is complete.

Conclusion

Data loss can occur at any moment due to system failures or unforeseen errors. Regular backups are the sole means to prevent the loss of critical data. Rather than depending on Windows' built-in features, which may take a substantial amount of time to recover data, we recommend utilizing the free and efficient third-party backup software, Todo Backup. However, if you prefer not to use any backup tool, select any method from the provided list and commence backing up all your vital data.

For more information, please refer to our FAQ section.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 7 Backup Taking Forever

This section is dedicated to providing swift answers to some commonly asked questions regarding how to resolve the issue of Windows 7 Backup taking an eternity to complete.

1. How long should a Windows 7 backup process typically take?

Typically, a regular Windows 7 backup takes around 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the system or the amount of data. However, due to certain errors, it can get stuck in the initial stage for an extended period.

2. Windows backup stuck while creating a system image, how to resolve it?

Some common methods to resolve this issue include deleting old backup files and checking disk errors using the chkdsk C: /f /r command in the Command Prompt.

3. Is Windows 7 backup reliable?

The Windows 7 backup feature is one of the most effective methods to protect your system from unforeseen data loss.

4. Can I use my computer during the backup process?

You can use the computer while it's backing up, but it's better to minimize disturbances to the system.