TeraByte Unlimited

Posted: **Thu Aug 20, 2026 6:02 pm**

Was running IFW v4.05 (IIRC), started seeing the "Unable to obtain a lock on C:" error. I had backed up Windows 11 many times with this exact config, so I'm guessing Windows changed/broke something, since I did update from 24H2 to 25H2 a while back.

Updated to IFW v4.12. Same error.

I don't have PHYLock installed and have always used VSS without issue, until very recently. In ifw.ini, I'm using:

Code: Select all

[PHYLock_Options]
PHYLockDisable=1
UseFilesToNotBackup=0
UseFilesToNotSnapshot=0
UseVSS=1
VSSComponentMode=0

Posted: **Thu Aug 20, 2026 6:10 pm**

Love it when I rapidly solve my own problem. I think my IQ shoots up after asking quetsions.

I had disabled the wonderful Workstation service. Windows didn't like that. Enabled and ran it, problem solved.

Sorry.

Posted: **Thu Aug 20, 2026 6:19 pm**

The Workstation service runs automatically (default) on our systems.

It's needed if you connect to shared resources on other computers, or network drives.

We use PHYLock, and have never had a problem with that service.

Posted: **Thu Aug 20, 2026 6:39 pm**

Yeah, I had recently disabled it, having had no idea that it was required for VSS. Pretty annoying.

TeraByte Unlimited

"Unable to obtain a lock on C:"

"Unable to obtain a lock on C:"

Re: "Unable to obtain a lock on C:"

Re: "Unable to obtain a lock on C:"

Re: "Unable to obtain a lock on C:"