Windows Backup fails due to virus

jmx · 17 Jan 2024

I am running Windows 10 version 22H2.

Since around Jan 1, whenever I attempt to run Windows Backup it finds a virus and fails to complete the backup.

This is despite the fact that I can run a Full scan and and Offline scan without finding any viruses or unwanted software.

Protection History shows Remediation incomplete.
Detected: Trojan:HTML/Phish!pz
file: \Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy26\Users\ ....... \AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\...........

I also use Macrium Reflect daily, so I have plenty of Macrium backups.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get Windows backup working again?

Samuria · 17 Jan 2024

What files are in that folder it's seems like a webpage HTML that links to a virus online so it can't find any virus on the pc

dalchina · 17 Jan 2024

Hi, to which Windows Backup are you referring?

Backup and Restore (Windows 7)?
File History?

The first is, as you probably know, deprecated. Very few now use it from what I've seen as even MS recommends using 3rd party imaging, which you're using.

Bree · 17 Jan 2024

jmx said:

Since around Jan 1, whenever I attempt to run Windows Backup it finds a virus and fails to complete the backup....

Protection History shows Remediation incomplete.
Detected: Trojan:HTML/Phish!pz
file: \Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy26\Users\ ....... \AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\...........

It's failing on something in your Firefox profile, as Samuria says, probably a web page. Try clearing your Firefox cache.

Windows Backup fails due to virus-image.png

Try3 · 17 Jan 2024

jmx said:

file: \Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy26\Users\ ....... \AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\...........

I've never seen Windows security, Protection history give an incomplete path for a file i.e. I've never seen it show those .... you report.

You are looking here aren't you?
Windows security,
Virus & thread protection,
Protection history,
<some individual entry>

Windows Backup fails due to virus-ws.png

Windows Backup fails due to virus-ws-vntp-ph.png

Windows Backup fails due to virus-ws-vntp-ph-entry.png

Denis

jmx · 17 Jan 2024

1. Samuria, Is there an easy way for me to delete the folder that is causing the problem?

2. Dalchina, I am referring to Windows Backup and Restore (Windows 7). I guess I was using it because it felt good to have two different backups in case I ran into a problem.
The problem I am having makes it look like Windows Backup and Restore runs a scan for viruses as it is backing up your files. I am not sure if Macrium does that.
If Windows Backup and Restore is deprecated, why have I started to get notifications to backup my files? It makes it appear that MS wants us to use Windows Backup and Restore.

Try3 · 17 Jan 2024

'Deprecated' means whatever Humpty Dumpty chooses it to mean on any given occasion.
They have told us not to use its system imaging component. That was in their announcement of Windows 10 Version 1709 and they have never withdrawn that warning

imaging deprecated in Ver 1709 - TenForums

Best of luck,
Denis

jmx · 17 Jan 2024

Gentlemen, Thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it.
Bree, I didn't even know that I could clear the browser cache. Clearing the Firefox cache of "Everything"!!! did the trick.
I just completed the first Windows backup in two weeks without it telling me I have "Remediation incomplete".
Thanks again.

Bree · 17 Jan 2024

jmx said:

Bree, I didn't even know that I could clear the browser cache. Clearing the Firefox cache of "Everything"!!! did the trick.

Struggling10 · 17 Jan 2024

jmx said:

Gentlemen, Thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it.
Bree, I didn't even know that I could clear the browser cache. Clearing the Firefox cache of "Everything"!!! did the trick.
I just completed the first Windows backup in two weeks without it telling me I have "Remediation incomplete".
Thanks again.

But be aware if FireFox is opened again before MS backup done, it will fail again with same problem indicated. You have to clear FireFox cache each time, before manual doing MS backup.