Windows Backup Failed To Get An Exclusive Lock On The Efi System Partition

Ah the dreaded Windows Backup failed to get an exclusive lock on the EFI system partition. We’ve all been there. That moment when you’re trying to back up your files and suddenly you’re met with an error message that leaves you scratching your head in confusion.

What Is the EFI System Partition?

The EFI System Partition (ESP) is a partition on a computer’s hard drive that is used to store the files necessary for the computer to boot. It is typically a small partition usually around 100MB in size and is usually located at the beginning of the drive. The ESP contains the boot loader program which is responsible for loading the operating system when the computer starts up.

The following table provides a brief overview of the ESP:

What Causes the Error?

It’s no secret that Windows backup can be a bit finicky at times. At some point or another almost every Windows user has encountered the dreaded ‘Windows backup failed to get an exclusive lock on the EFI system partition’ error. So what could be causing this aggravating issue?

A primary cause of the error is misconfigured outdated or otherwise incompatible drivers and firmware. If your system has any sort of driver corruption it’s likely to prevent Windows backup from obtaining a lock on the EFI system partition. So you’ll need to run a driver scan to check for any issues.

Some users have reported that antivirus or firewall security software can also interfere with Windows Backup and cause the error. If you have either of these programs running in the background they could be preventing the backup operation from obtaining exclusive access to the EFI system partition. According to Microsoft it’s recommended that you disable any non-Windows security software while running the backup.

Unnecessary background programs or processes can also prevent the backup operation from obtaining exclusive access to the EFI system partition. You can check for and close any background tasks or applications before you run the backup.

And last but not least the ‘Windows backup failed to get an exclusive lock on the EFI system partition’ error can be caused by a corrupted system file. A corrupted system file can prevent Windows from obtaining the necessary lock so it’s important to run a scan with a system-repair utility. This will help identify any corrupted or missing system files.

How to Fix the Error?

Ah the dreaded error. If your Windows backup failed to acquire an exclusive lock on the EFI System Partition (ESP) don’t fret – all hope is not lost! Although this error is an annoyance and can cause a headache it is still possible to get your beloved files securely backed up and stored away from harm. That being said let’s discuss just a few strategies you can use to make sure the error doesn’t occur again in the future.

First and foremost the simplest and often most effective approach to fixing the issue is to update your BIOS version. This may require you to reset or “flash” your BIOS a process that requires accessing the motherboard via a USB but it can be incredibly effective in resolving the problem.

If that sounds too technical for your tastes try uninstalling any software that resides in the EFI partition including but not limited to custom boot loaders. Doing so should help to reduce any conflicts that may be preventing the Windows backup process from completing.

For an easier and fairly foolproof way of clearing the error it helps to prevent the EFI partition from being included in the backups themselves. This will ensure that any files not directly related to the Windows system are off limits and won’t cause any problems for the process.

Finally and perhaps most importantly start using a third-party data backup utility like FIleBackup or Acronis. This can help to automate some of the steps involved in backing up data such as obtaining locks on the EFI partition as well as providing a more resilient and secure backup of your data.

By following a few of these simple strategies you can rest assured that your data will remain safe and sound during your next Windows backup free of pesky errors like the dreaded EFI System Partition exclusive lock issue.

Other Recommendations to Avoid the Error

If the dreaded “Windows Backup failed to get an exclusive lock on the EFI system partition” error has still scuppered your day don’t fret—we’ve got some top-notch tips that’ll see you sailing off into the sunset with a working windows backup.

First off close any and all applications that are running on the system. That includes background processes such as antivirus programs. If the Windows Backup process has blocked access to the EFI system partition it’s likely due to a process locking the file before hand.

Next if you’ve added any custom boot files to your system temporarily delete them. Then you can try rebooting the systems.

Finally—and this is a biggie—double check that you system has enough space for a full Windows Backup. If you pipedream about binding two drives together for extra storage that’s not going to cut the mustard; you’ll need to dust off your old external hard drive and give it another spin. Moral of the story: always backup where you have plenty of space to backup.

If you’ve taken all of the steps but the issue still persists you may have to bite the bullet and do a manual check of the EFI system partition. If you need a helping hand plenty of tutorials are available online. Just make sure you don’t go off-piste and unearth hidden surprises.

Resources

• https://media.defense.gov/2020/Sep/15/2002497594/-1/-1/0/CTR-UEFI-Secure-Boot-Customization-UOO168873-20.PDF