Category: Windows (Page 1 of 5)

Cove Backup Failures – MS SQL / File In Use Errors

June 17, 2026 /

Related Ticket: #6220

Overview

Cove backups may fail or complete with errors indicating that files (often SQL-related or tax software database/temp files) are “in use by another process.”

This is most commonly seen with accounting/tax applications (e.g., Accounting CS), where background database activity interferes with snapshot-based backups.

Symptoms

You may see the following in Cove:

  • Backup completes with errors
  • Repeated failures on specific files
  • Error message similar to:
    • “The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process”

Common file types involved:

  • SQL database files (.mdf, .ldf)
  • Temp database files
  • Application-specific database components (Accounting CS, etc.)

Resolution

Step 1 – Restart Backup-Related Services

Reset the Windows Backup Engine and VSS services:

net stop wbengine
net stop vss
net stop swprv

net start swprv
net start vss
net start wbengine

Notes:

  • wbengine = Windows Backup Engine (key factor in this case)
  • vss = Volume Shadow Copy Service
  • swprv = Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider

Step 2 – Manually Run Backup

  • Trigger a manual backup
  • Confirm successful completion

Step 3 – Monitor Scheduled Backup

  • Leave auto-backup enabled
  • Verify next scheduled run completes successfully

When to Use This Fix

  • Backup errors reference “file in use”
  • Files are tied to SQL or database-driven applications
  • Issue repeats across multiple runs
  • Manual retries alone do not resolve it
  • Issue clears after service restart

Root Cause (Observed Behavior)

Based on troubleshooting from this case:

  • The issue is triggered when an application keeps a database file “active” during backup
  • Even though VSS is designed to handle open files, something in the backup chain can become unstable
  • When a disconnect or interruption occurs, related services (especially backup engine components) may get into a bad state
  • Once this happens, backups continue to fail until services are reset

There is no confirmed root cause from N-able, even after reviewing debug logs
→ Behavior is intermittent and not fully explained by vendor support

Key Takeaways

  • Often tied to database activity, not just simple file locks
  • The backup engine (not just VSS) can get stuck in a bad state
  • Restarting wbengine alongside VSS is the critical step
  • Issue is intermittent and not fully understood by N-able

Optional Preventative Considerations

  • Schedule backups outside business hours when possible
  • Ensure database-heavy applications are closed overnight
  • Watch for recurring patterns tied to specific software

Cove Backup Error – VSS Crypto Service error in System State Backup

June 9, 2026 /

If Cove Backup fails to backup System State because of Windows Cryptographic Service errors and Volume Shadow Copy service with the following errors or similar:

System State\ASR Writer\BCD\?\Volume{7ac063a6-0000-0000-0000-100000000000}\Boot\<VSSFileGroup>

System State\System Writer\System Files\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Crypto\<VSSFileGroup>\SystemKeys

System State\System Writer\System Files\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Crypto\<VSSFileGroup>\SystemKeys

Then the Windows Cryptographic Service needs restarted using the following powershell script or commands to allow the next backup to complete:

Powershell:

# Requires -RunAsAdministrator

Write-Host “Stopping Volume Shadow Copy…” -ForegroundColor Yellow
Stop-Service -Name “vss” -Force

Write-Host “Stopping Cryptographic Services…” -ForegroundColor Yellow
Stop-Service -Name “cryptsvc” -Force

# Small pause to allow services to completely release files

Start-Sleep -Seconds 3

Write-Host “Starting Cryptographic Services…” -ForegroundColor Green
Start-Service -Name “cryptsvc”

Write-Host “Starting Volume Shadow Copy…” -ForegroundColor Green
Start-Service -Name “vss”

Write-Host “Services successfully restarted!” -ForegroundColor Cyan

Then launch the Cove backup manager for the problem device and run a fresh backup to verify the script fixed what it needed to.

Command Prompt:

net stop cryptsvc
net start cryptsvc

If that doesn’t do it, may need to restart Volume Shadow Copy Service instead using:

net stop vss
net start vss

And if neither of those do it, start here since there may be a permissions issue for the Cryptographics service

https://me.n-able.com/s/article/Cove-System-State-backup-error-VSS-writer-System-Writer-is-missing-Please-ensure-that-Cryptographic-Services-service-has-enough-rights-because-of-incorrect-COM-Security-settings

More about the Cryptographic Service according to Gemini:

The Windows Cryptographic Services (CryptSvc) manages certificates, digital signatures, and system integrity in Windows. When a backup fails during Volume Shadow Copy (VSS), it is often because the VSS System Writer (which relies on CryptSvc) lacks the proper security rights or service permissions to query vital system files.

How to make Safari and Firefox open in incognito or private mode every time

May 30, 2026 /

If you’re anything like me, you use chrome for your primary browsing, but pretty much every time you open firefox or safari, you’re specifically just wanting another inconito window that isn’t logged into whatever you might have going in your chrome incog session.

I regularly have chromes incog signed into a given ms365 admin panel, then need to sign into a given user of that org with the temp pass I’ve just made- and today I finally got annoyed enough to look at how to make firefox and safari just open in incognito mode every time since that’s the only reason I ever open them. If that’s some thing that would make your life easier too:

Safari
Safari allows you to change its default launching behavior directly within its application settings.

  • Open Safari.
  • Click on Safari in the top menu bar and select Settings… (or press Cmd + ,).
  • Ensure you are on the General tab.
  • Look for the dropdown menu labeled Safari opens with:.
  • Change this option to A new private window.

Firefox
Firefox offers two different approaches depending on how you want the browser to behave.
Method 1: The “Never Remember History” Mode (Recommended)
This method forces Firefox to run in a permanent private browsing mode. The browser looks normal, but it will never save history, cookies, or site data.

  • Open Firefox.
  • Click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-right corner and select Settings (or press Cmd + ,).
  • Click on Privacy & Security in the left-hand sidebar.
  • Scroll down to the History section.
  • In the dropdown menu next to Firefox will:, select Use custom settings for history.
  • Check the box that says Always use private browsing mode.
  • Firefox will prompt you to restart the browser to apply the change.

Add a Windows User to Hyper-V Admin Group to allow co-Hyper-V Management

April 1, 2026 /

To add a user to the Hyper-V Administrators group, you must already have administrative privileges on the host machine. This process allows standard users to manage virtual machines without giving them full system administrator access.

Option 1: Use PowerShell (Fastest) 

Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as an Administrator and run the following command: 

powershell

Add-LocalGroupMember -Group “Hyper-V Administrators” -Member “UserName”

Note: Use code with caution.

(Replace “UserName” with the actual account name or “Domain\UserName” for domain accounts).

Option 2: Use Command Prompt 

Run Command Prompt as an Administrator and use this syntax:

cmd

net localgroup “Hyper-V Administrators” “UserName” /add

Note: Group names are localized; if your Windows installation is not in English, use net localgroup to find the exact name of the Hyper-V group on your system.

Option 3: Use Computer Management (Graphical) 

This is the most common method for Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server users.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Computer Management.
  2. Navigate to System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Groups.
  3. In the right pane, double-click Hyper-V Administrators.
  4. Click Add… and enter the username of the person you want to add.
  5. Click Check Names to verify, then click OK and Apply.
  6. Important: The user must log out and log back in for the changes to take effect.

How to block Copilot inside of MS365 installed apps

February 16, 2026 /

If you paste this into admin powershell, it disables copilot inside of MS365 installed apps. Doesn’t change apps online, or the ability to use other AI’s, even copilot website, BUT it does block the copilot add on items in all installed office apps (Being used for PCA here shortly)

$regPath = “HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeai”
if (!(Test-Path $regPath)) { New-Item -Path $regPath -Force }
Set-ItemProperty -Path $regPath -Name “TurnOffCallout” -Value 1

$privacyPath = “HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\privacy”
if (!(Test-Path $privacyPath)) { New-Item -Path $privacyPath -Force }
Set-ItemProperty -Path $privacyPath -Name “disconnectedstate” -Value 2

Renaming Device with command prompt in Atera

January 27, 2026 /

If you want to rename a device in Atera without opening the device through cmd

click Manage dropdown

Click run as System command prompt

Type: wmic computersystem where name=”%COMPUTERNAME%” call rename name=”NEWCOMPUTERNAME”

Hit return

Type in the console shutdown /r /t 0

Hit return

Reload Atera after the computer has restarted the computer should be renamed

Fixing Blank “Save As” Dialog Window in Adobe Acrobat

January 8, 2026 /

Fixing Blank “Save As” Dialog Window in Adobe Acrobat

Issue

From ticket #5088 – When using Save As in Adobe Acrobat, the dialog box may appear blank, preventing you from saving the file as another name in another location. This issue can occur on both Windows and macOS.

Cause

Adobe Acrobat attempts to “display online storage options” during the save process. A preference setting can cause the dialog to render incorrectly.

References

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/blank-save-as-dialog-mac.html

Resolution

Disable the online storage option in Acrobat:

  1. Open Adobe Acrobat Preferences
    • Go to Edit > Preferences (Windows) or Adobe Acrobat > Preferences (macOS).
  2. Navigate to General Settings
    • In the left-hand menu, select General.
  3. Disable Online Storage Option
    • Locate:
      Show online storage when saving files
    • Toggle this OFF.
  4. Restart Acrobat
    • Close and reopen Adobe Acrobat to apply changes.

Alternate Workaround

If the issue persists or you need a quick alternative:

  • Use Microsoft Print to PDF (Windows) or Print to PDF (macOS):
    • From the print dialog, select the PDF printer option.
    • Save the file manually after printing.
  • Go to the location the file is saved in originally in File Explorer
    • Copy and paste the file from that location into the destination folder path

Export Public Folder Calendar Events to a Shared Calendar in Outlook Classic

December 16, 2025 /

Export Public Folder Calendar Events to a Shared Calendar in Outlook Classic

Overview

This guide explains how to export calendar events from a Public Folder in Outlook Classic (desktop app) and import them into a shared calendar using an .ics file.

Steps

  1. Open the Public Folder Calendar
    • Launch the Outlook Classic desktop app.
    • Navigate to the Public Folder calendar you want to export.
  2. Save the Calendar as an .ICS File
    • Go to File > Save Calendar.
    • Select the desired folder.
    • (Optional) Set a date range for the events you want to export.
    • Save the file in .ics format to your preferred location.
  3. Import Events into the Shared Calendar
    • Open the destination shared calendar in Outlook Classic.
    • Drag and drop the saved .ics file directly into the shared calendar.
    • All events from the Public Folder calendar will be imported.

Notes

  • Ensure you have the necessary permissions for both the Public Folder and the shared calendar.
  • Large calendars may take a few moments to process after import.
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