Error 4013 is a common error that users may encounter when trying to restore data from a backup. This error indicates that the restore operation failed due to insufficient access privileges. There are a few potential causes and solutions for this error that are worth exploring.
What Triggers Error 4013 During Restore?
There are a couple key reasons why error 4013 may show up when trying to restore data:
- The user account doing the restore does not have sufficient permissions to access the backup location or restore destination.
- The backup contents have become corrupted or damaged.
- There is a permissions issue with the backup folder itself.
- The restore destination drive does not have enough free disk space.
Insufficient access privileges are the most common culprit behind error 4013. If the user account does not have full read/write access to the location of both the backup files and the restore destination, this error can occur.
Granting Full Permissions to Resolve Error 4013
To resolve a 4013 error caused by permissions issues, it is necessary to grant the user account full read/write access. Here are the general steps to take:
- Right-click on the backup file folder and select Properties.
- Go to the Security tab and click Edit.
- Select the user account and grant Full Control permissions.
- Repeat this process for the restore destination folder as well.
- Launch the restore operation again as the user with new full permissions.
Granting full control access to the account running the restore typically resolves a 4013 error if permissions are the culprit. You may need to restart the computer after updating permissions for the changes to fully take effect.
Checking for Backup Corruption Issues
If adjusting permissions does not resolve the error, the next thing to check is the backup files for corruption. Backup files can sometimes become damaged or corrupted, preventing a successful restore. Here are some ways to diagnose backup corruption:
- Try restoring the backup files on another computer. If the 4013 error persists, it points to corruption.
- Scan the backup folder and files for errors using a disk checker utility.
- Look for missing or malformed files in the backup folder.
- Check the backup logs for any read/write errors during backup.
- Attempt to restore a subset of files from the backup.
If there are signs of corruption based on these checks, unfortunately the backup may be unsalvageable. A new backup would need to be created from the original data sources.
Checking Backup Folder Permissions
As mentioned previously, permissions on the backup folder itself can also lead to a 4013 error. Make sure the backup folder has inherited the correct permissions from the parent folder. If permissions were manually assigned to the backup folder, double check that read/write access was granted properly.
As a test, attempt to modify or delete files directly within the backup folder as the restore user. If access is denied, then a permissions issue likely exists on the backup folder itself.
Ensuring Sufficient Disk Space for Restore
Finally, the restore destination must have enough available storage space for the backup contents. If the drive is low on free space, it can result in a 4013 error even if permissions are properly configured.
Check the free disk space on the target restore drive before beginning the restore process. Make sure there is ample room for the size of the backup files being restored. You may need to free up additional space on the destination drive before retrying the restore.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
Here are some other things to try if the above fixes do not resolve a persistent 4013 error:
- Restart the computer and retry the restore after a reboot.
- Log in as a local administrator account to perform the restore.
- Disable any anti-virus or backup software that may interfere with the restore process.
- Restore to an alternate location as a test.
- Use the System File Checker tool to scan for corrupted system files.
- Restore files in smaller batches if a full restore fails.
For advanced troubleshooting, digging deeper into system, security, and backup logs can provide helpful clues. You may also need to consult with a data recovery specialist for assistance with heavily corrupted backups.
Conclusion
Error 4013 during a restore indicates the operation failed due to insufficient access privileges. Granting full permissions to the backup folder, destination drive, and user account running the restore is typically enough to resolve this error. Checking for backup corruption, verifying the backup folder permissions, and ensuring ample disk space are other important steps.
With the right troubleshooting approach and system checks, a 4013 error during restore can usually be corrected and the data recovered. Being aware of the main causes for this error code will help get backup restores working again and recovered data back where it belongs.
