How To Fix Windows Vista 0x80070020 Backup Error

Whilst you have been performing a backup on your Windows Vista PC, you may have experienced the 0x80070020 error. It can also arise when the user attempts to update their PC using the Windows update website or the Microsoft update site. The error is usually arisese when a program interferes with the update process or the backup process. This then in turn prevents access to the files required for the operation and it terminates. Read on to find out how to solve this problem.

What Causes the 0x80070020 Error?

The error can present itself like this:

Error: 0x80070020 – The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process

At first this alert can disconcert a PC user however it can easily be rectified. It is usually the result of an outside program interferring with the process and not the result of a serious problem on the user’s PC. To solve this issue, follow the steps below.

How To Fix The 0x80070020 Error?

Step 1 – Restart Your PC Into Safe Mode With Networking and Install Updates Again

Restarting your PC and starting it in Safe Mode means that anything that is blocking the updates, such as anti virus or firewall, is not started as normal on the PC and thus should fix the problem. Follow these steps if you have a Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 PC.

1. Restart your computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard.
2. On the screen that follows, click Windows Advanced Options > Safe Mode With Networking (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=NETWORK).
3. Press Enter
4. Install the required updates.
5. After the updates have finished installing, restart your computer from safe mode and then click Start Windows Normally.

If you have another Windows operating system, such as Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, or Windows 7, then follow these steps:

1. Click Start > type msconfig in the Start Search box
2. Click Programs > msconfig.exe
3. In the System Configuration dialog box click the Boot tab
4. Click to select the Safe boot check box, click Network, and then click OK.
5. In the System Configuration dialog box, click restart.
6. Install the required updates
7. After the updates have been installed, restart the PC in safe mode and then click to clear the Safe Boot check box
8. In the System Configuration dialog box, click restart

This should resolve the problem, however, if it persists continue to the next step.

Step 2 – Temporarily Disable Antivirus / Firewall Software and Try Installation Again

This may make your PC more vulnerable to attack from hackers or malicious software. It is important that you take care not to disable for too long or to access unknown websites during this time. Proceed with caution.

1. Locate your antivirus or antispyware icon in the notification area. You can find the notification area at the lower-right of your screen. If you hover over the icon, Windows displays what the icon is.
2. Right-click your antivirus or antispyware icon, and then select Disable Auto-Protect. A red “X” should appear over the icon in the notification area to show that the application is now disabled. This step is ambiguous as some anti virus work differently to others. Be sure to contact software manufacturer if you are unsure.
3. Run Microsoft Update or Windows Update.
4. Turn on (re-enable) your antivirus or antispyware program. To do this, right-click your antivirus or antispyware icon in the notification area, and then click Enable. It is recommended that you engage a virus scan to make sure that no viruses or malicious software may have entered your computer.

Though this step is relatively safe as the need to visit any websites is not necessary. However, caution is to be shown at all times to prevent any damage. If this step does not work, carry on to the next step.

Step 3 – Clean Out Viruses

– Download this antivirus program

It’s strongly advisable that you clean out the viruses on your system to prevent them from causing a lot of damage to your computer. Viruses often cause the 0x80070020 error as they latch onto your Windows update / backup functions inside Windows and then corrupt them. To fix this, it’s advised you perform a full antivirus scan to remove any of the possible infections your computer might have.

Step 4 – Clean The Registry

– Download this registry cleaner

The registry is a large database inside Windows, which stores all the settings and information your computer needs to run. It’s a vital part of your system but unfortunately, it’s one of the biggest causes of problems as well. The issue is that since the registry is continually being used 100’s of times a day by Windows, many computers are continually being damaged and corrupted by it. You should fix this by using a ‘registry cleaner’ to fix all the damaged settings inside it.