NSS -- "Some files were not backed up."

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
1

I am using Norton Security Suite Version 5.1.0.29.  Whenever I run a backup I get the message, "Some files were not backed up.  Please make sure that all other running programs are closed then try again.".  How do I find out which files weren't backed up?

 

 

(Note: This post concerns N360 components of NSS and has been moved to the N360 forum.)

2

Hi, CLamb,

 

Welcome to our community!

 

There should be a link provided where you see the results, which will show you a detailed report listing the files it couldn't get. Let us know if you're not seeing it.

3

I have the same problem.  Why are all files not being backed up?  I make sure all files are closed before backup.

4

There's a variety of things that can cause this. Windows--or other applications running in the background--might have some files open in ways that wouldn't allow them to be copied. Sometimes there are issues with encrypted files. And if you have other real-time security software installed, it might see the copy request as an attempt at tampering: Spybot Search and Destroy, for example, has a feature called "Tea Timer" that can cause this effect for a wide range of files the product is "watching."

5

At the end of the scan an "Activities and Scans" window appears.  This contains a link to a "Security History" window.  The latter window lists the files that were backed up but not the files that weren't backed up.

6

Huh. I've always been able to identify the files that weren't backed up from there. I'm not near a machine with Norton 360 installed at the moment, so I can't check to give you more detailed instructions (posting this from a mobile device).

 

This has happened to me pretty regularly, but the files have always been ones I've been able to see why they couldn't be backed up. So my sense is that you don't have anything to worry about--but I wouldn't accept that as an answer until you've been able to verify that for yourself.

7

I'm not worried but its disconcerting that Norton flags the backup as "At Risk" because "Your backup has not completed recently."

8

Ahh, yes--I hated that myself. Finally just disabled [automatic] backup altogether, in my settings, because it would start telling me I was at risk if I hadn't backed up every week or two as well. Now I run a manual backup every couple weeks, roughly, and am happy as a clam!