The systemstatebackup subcommand fails when an invalid ImagePath property is specified for services in Windows Server 2008

On a Windows Server 2008-based computer, you try to run a systemstatebackup subcommand on the Windows Server Backup feature. However, you experience the following symptoms:

• Some Windows services are not backed up.
• Random files from the source folder are not backed up.�

Additionally, if you try to run a systemstaterestore subcommand from a full backup of all critical volumes, the restore operation fails.

This issue occurs when you specify an ImagePath�property that contains a forward slash (/) character in the file path. The�systemstatebackup and systemstaterestore subcommands use the System Writer to list files for backup and for restore. However, System Writer does not recognize a service when the ImagePath�property contains a forward slash. Therefore, System Writer skips the service and then randomly skips other files.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might
occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection,
back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.

To resolve this issue, replace the forward slash character in the ImagePath�property�with the backslash character (\). You can determine which services use the forward slash character for the�ImagePath�property by running the following query at a command prompt:

You can then edit each registry entry that contains the�forward slash and replace it with a backslash.�

Note This does not include any switches or parameters that are used by the service. Do not replace these instances of the�forward slash character.

When you run a systemstatebackup or systemstaterestore subcommand, the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) uses the System Writer to automatically select files for backup and for restore. Files that are not listed during this operation will not be targeted for backup or for restore. On a Windows Server 2008-based computer, system state files are selected dynamically. Therefore, system state files differ from environment to environment.

Note Even though System Writer does not recognize a service when the ImagePath property contains a forward slash character (/) in the file path, the service does work correctly on the system.