Backup Corruption Due to Archive Bit Deletion

In the Windows file system, users are given the file backup utility (NTBackup) and they can take the backup of their important files and store them safely here. This backup files (BKF) are stored in MTF file format and have .bkf extension. Now, in this Windows file backup utility, the ‘archive bit’ enables the user to determine the files and folders stored formerly in the backup. This information of the archive bit changes every time a complete backup is performed by the file backup program of the computer.

Why backup files corrupt?
Problem occurs when this archive bit gets corrupted. The reasons behind this corruption can be many like software malfunction, file system corruption and more of these unpredictable causes. When any such thing happens and archive bit gets corrupted, it leads to backup file (BKF) damage and users are found complaining that their backup utility has reported an error while saving file. This data becomes inaccessible and can only be accessed is the user gets an advanced restoring backup file restore tool.

A common situation
In your data backup utility tool, NTBackup.exe there is an accidental deletion of the archive bit information during a backup data process. Further, if you select the backup file for restoration and go to ‘Advanced’ properties, you see that the checkbox “File is ready for archiving” is not checked. After archive bit deletion, you will not be able to restore data from the BKF files by using NTBackup.exe. The major cause behind the occurrence of such a situation is the selection of ‘Verify data after backup completes’ under the ‘Options’ dialog box.

How to prevent the situation?
To prevent any such thing from happening in the first place, you should avoid selecting the option of ‘Verify data after backup completes’ under the ‘Options’ dialog box.

How to restore BKF data after corruption?
If archive bit is corrupted leading to BKF damage, you can’t revert it. Then, you can use Microsoft recommended hotfix solution. After applying the hotfix, you have to restart the system. But, if you are still not successful then the only viable option left with you is to use a good BKF file repair software tool. These backup recovery software tools incorporate high-end algorithms for scanning the files and repair the corrupted BKF files. SysTools BKF Repair tool is an advanced software and highly reliable tool for backup data recovery.

Whether the archive bit problem arises in Vista file backup utility or Windows XP file backup utility or in any other Windows version, SysTools BKF Repair can help in a simple and intuitive manner.