Solved: WD SmartWare not Backing up All Files

You will get reasons and solutions to WD SmartWare not backing up all files. Or directly use reliable backup software to do so.

By @Ivy Last Updated September 29, 2024

The problem: WD SmartWare not backing up all files

WD SmartWare Not Backing up All files?

I have the latest version of WD smartware and I had smartware running on a couple of Windows 7 machines in continuous backup and it was working fine, but today any amended or new files aren’t being backed up. And it shows me: Files Not Backed Up error and File pending backup. Any ideas?

- Question from community.wd.com

How to Fix WD SmartWare Files Not Backed Up

As you can see, WD SmartWare not backing up all files, especially the new files and edited files. It’s a common situation when you use the WD SmartWare to backup data after Windows updates. And you can try the following solutions to fix it.

1. uninstall WD SmartWare, delete all backups, and reinstall WD SmartWare.

2. Stop using files that you would like to backup.

Then you could fix this issue. Sometimes, the problem still exists. And you may receive other errors, even if you use the official recommended software WD backup, such as, the system cannot find the specified path error code 0x80070003, WD SmartWare continuous backup not working, WD backup no backup targets found, WD backup not working on Windows 10, etc. 

And you cannot use WD SmartWare to backup Windows operating system, entire hard disk, large files, etc. More frustrating, the WD Bakcup has ended its lifespan. In view of this, it's suggested to use a professional backup software with high compatibility.

Best Free WD SmartWare or WD Backup Alternative - AOMEI Backupper

Compared with WD SmartWare or WD Backup, AOMEI Backupper has high compatibility, you can use it to backup system, disk, partition, files or create a cloud backup  in all the Windows systems, including Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista (all editions, 32-bit & 64-bit). It focuses on continuous data protection, thus you don't need to worry much about data loss or disk space you will use. You can enjoy the following advantages: 

It supports daily, weekly, monthly schedule backup, so you can keep all the changes in a scheduled task.
It minimizes the disk space you will use with incremental backup, normal compression, automatic splitting, etc. And all of them are default features, you don't make an extra effort.
It is capable of creating bootable USB or CD/DVD to boot computer in a disater and then get your files or system back quickly.
Besides backup, it allows you to restore files from backup, even selective file restore - restore files from system, disk, or partition backup.

Before you backup, please do the following:

Download FreewareWin 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download
  • Prepare an external storage device, like HDD/SSD, USB flash drive, etc. to save the file image backup from your computer.

  • SATA-to-USB cable to connect your external hard drive with the computer if it’s only one hard drive slot.

Now, let’s see how to perform file backup easily with AOMEI Backupper:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper after the installation, select Backup tab at the left panel, then choose File Backup.

Select the corresponding features if you want to backup system, disk or partition. Also, you can backup files to AOMEI Cloud and enjoy 1TB free storage in 15 days. 

Step 2. Click + Add Folder or + Add File button to select all the files you would like to backup.

★Tip: If many files and folders you want to choose, please pick them and drag to AOMEI Backupper window to add them all. 

Step 3. Choose the prepared external hard drive as destination path to save all the files and folders from your Windows computer.

★Tips: ✍You could backup files to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, local disk, network share or NAS, CD/DVD, etc. as well. ✍If there are some files that you don’t want to backup, you could enable the Filter Settings feature. It's shown as funnel shape at the right side of selected folders.  It’s premium feature, please upgrade to AOMEI Backupper Professional to enjoy. 

Step 4. Press Start Backup >> to backup files to an external hard drive safely in Windows 7/8/10/11.

★For long-term data security, set more advanced features in the following. Options: It enables you to comment the file backup, encrypt, compress, split the file backup image, even enable email notification. Schedule Backup: It allows you to create a file backup task running daily, weekly, monthly, or use event triggers and USB plug in feature on the professional version. Backup Scheme: It is able to set backup method among full backup, incremental or differential backup and cleanup methods (By quantity, By daily/weekly/monthly, By time) to delete old backup image automatically.

Now, it will backup all files you want and changes made later. Besides, it is also reducing disk space usage as much as possible with different features. Among them, the automatic backup clean is the most complete way to free up disk space. 

Write in the End

WD SmartWare not backing up all files may happen after Windows Update, you can choose to reinstall WD SmartWare or stop using files you want to backup. However, sometimes, the problem still exists or you encounter other errors.  In this case, it's a good choice to use a stable backup software with high compatibility, AOMEI Backupper, for example.

It not only helps you backup files in all the Windows systems, but system, disk or partition. You can execute the backup task in daily, weekly, monthly and minimize disk space you will use with multiple features. Besides, if you want to keep its original structure, try its sync feature, real time file sync, for example. All in all, it's a worth trying software for data protection!