Unable to switch to new OneNote - error during backup

Question

Unable to switch to new OneNote - error during backup

Toby McDaid 45

My work laptop has recently upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11. When I open OneNote for Windows 10, I see a banner across the top saying I need to "Switch Now" to the latest version as OneNote will reach end of support on October 14th.

After clicking "Switch Now" I'm prompted to copy a link to my clipboard of where the backup will be stored. Next, I click the "Back up notes" button and every time I encounter this error:

"Unable to create back up. Your notebooks are still available and safe, but we ran into an issue creating the back up. Check the troubleshooting guide for steps to take and try again"

Does anyone know how I get passed this?

3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Liora D 2,495 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Toby McDaid

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Q&A Support.

To better assist you, could you please confirm what type of Microsoft account you're using with OneNote?

Is it a work or school account (e.g., part of Microsoft 365 for Business or Education)?
Or is it a personal Microsoft account (e.g., Outlook.com, Hotmail.com)?

This will help ensure the solution fits your setup.

Also, if possible, could you please share a screenshot of the error message, especially if it includes an error code?

In the mean time, if you're using a work or school account, please try the following steps:

1. Check the Backup Folder Location

Open OneNote for Windows 10.
Go to File > Options > Save & Backup.
Review the folder listed under “Backup Folder.”
Make sure:
- The folder exists.
  - You have write permissions.
    - It’s located on your local drive (preferably C:\ ) rather than a network or external drive.

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2. Ensure Notebooks Are Fully Synced

If your notebooks are stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, confirm they are fully synced.
You can check sync status by clicking the notebook name and selecting View Sync Status.
If syncing fails, refer to Fix issues when you can't sync OneNote.

3. Try Manual Backup

Instead of using the “Switch Now” wizard, manually back up your notebooks:
- Open each notebook.
  - Use File > Export to save a copy of the notebook or individual sections.
    - You can also copy sections to a new notebook in the latest OneNote version.

4. Update OneNote

Open Microsoft Store and check for updates to OneNote.
Make sure you’re using the latest version of the unified OneNote app for Windows.

5. Move Local Notebooks to the Cloud

If your notebooks are stored locally, consider moving them to OneDrive for better sync and backup support.
Follow this guide: Troubleshoot moving notebooks to the cloud.

If you need any further assistance or have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help.

Thank you again for your patience and for choosing Microsoft Q&A forum.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Liora D 2,495 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-15T08:40:23.39+00:00

Hi @Toby McDaid

It’s been a while since I last heard from you; I just wanted to check in and see if you need any further assistance.

If you find this information helpful, please consider marking it as an answer. Once marked, it will automatically pin to top. As other users will also search information in this community, your valuable marked answer will definitely also help other users who have similar queries easily to find the correct channel and useful information more quickly.

Please feel free to let me know if there’s anything I can help with.

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Toby McDaid 45 Reputation points

2025-08-15T09:49:41.4733333+00:00

Hi Liora,

I am using a work account on "OneNote for Windows 10". The file > options > save & backup menu you are referring to is not present in this version of the app, I have an options screen on the right-side of the application but there's no reference to backups that I can see.

Here is a screenshot of the error:

Thanks,

Toby
Liora D 2,495 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-15T13:27:45.32+00:00

Hi @Toby McDaid

Thank you very much for your feedback and detailed description of the situation you are experiencing.

Have you tried the steps I suggested above, and are you having any problems? If you have tried and are still having problems, or if there are any steps that are unclear, please feel free to share, I am more than happy to assist you further.

In addition, I have just sent you a private message to ask about your account name. This will help me give you more accurate instructions. Please check your messages!

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Toby McDaid 45 Reputation points

2025-08-18T10:58:33.5233333+00:00

Hi Liora,

I had attempted the steps you provided, but as outlined in my last message this step is not possible in my version of OneNote for Windows 10

Go to File > Options > Save & Backup.

This settings menu does not exist, nor is there any File menu available. I believe your steps refer to an older or different version of the app.
Liora D 2,495 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-19T10:21:08.0433333+00:00

Hi @Toby McDaid

Thanks for getting back and confirming you're using a work account with OneNote for Windows 10. That definitely helps clarify things. I can see how it’d be frustrating especially since the version you're using doesn’t include the “Save & Backup” menu, which limits your options when trying to switch over smoothly.

I’ve sent you a private message to confirm your email address this will help me verify the exact type of account and provide more tailored instructions. Please take a moment to check your messages when you can.

Also, if you’ve tried all the steps and the issue persists, it may be worth checking whether your organization has any policies or restrictions in place that affect OneNote migration or backup paths.
Michael U 0 Reputation points

2025-08-19T19:44:57.3166667+00:00

Hi @Liora D I'm having the same issue, I don't have a file button to export my notebook. I'm in the desktop version of OneNote and everything is saved to OneDrive.

Answer 2

John Jelinek 0

I am using OneNote For Windows 10 on my personal laptop Version 16001.14326.22594.0. My backup folder writes to C:/. I have fully sync'd my notebooks as far as I can tell. I would rather find a workaround that can help me get around the error message so I can have the wizard complete the backup. Please suggest the best next step. Thank you.

Answer 3

Liora D 2,495 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Toby, @John and @Michael
I’ve reviewed your scenario carefully, and you’re absolutely right: the OneNote for Windows 10 app doesn’t include the File ▸ Options ▸ Save & Backup menu. That backup interface is part of the new OneNote desktop app (purple icon), which Microsoft is transitioning users to.

To help you complete the Switch Now wizard successfully, here’s a precise, low-risk workaround that reliably resolves the backup step.

Next step:

1) Install the OneNote desktop app

Open the Microsoft Store and install OneNote
Sign in with the same work account you use in OneNote for Windows 10.

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2) Create a local backup folder

In File Explorer, create:

C:\OneNoteMigrationBackup

Right‑click the folder ▸ Properties ▸ Security ▸ Edit and confirm your user has Full control.

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3) Set up backup in the desktop app

In OneNote (desktop): File ▸ Options ▸ Save & Backup.
Backup Folder ▸ Modify… → pick C:\OneNoteMigrationBackup.
Click Back Up All Notebooks Now and wait for it to complete.

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You should see .one files appear in C:\OneNoteMigrationBackup\…

4) Run the Switch Now wizard again

Go back to the Windows 10 app and click Switch Now again.
When it shows the backup location, it should be the same path, and the Back up notes step should complete.

If you run into any issues during these steps or need further help, feel free to ask, I’m always happy to assist!

Karla T 0 Reputation points

2025-08-20T14:04:35.28+00:00

Hi Liora, I am having the same issue. I don't have the File menu either. I just followed all of these steps and then clicked on Switch Now and it did not use the newly established C drive location (OneNoteMigrationBackUp) I created. I am not an organizational user but am a personal subscriber.
Jonas Schulte 0 Reputation points

2025-08-22T10:04:55.4066667+00:00

Hi @Liora D , thanks for your elaborative response.

My problem is the same, that I get an error when I try to switch and do the back into the "BackUp_UserInitiated" folder. However, somehow some of my OneNotes are already available in the new version (shared ones), but my own ones are not available. Therefore I am relying on the backup process.

I followed all your steps and I could succesfully do a backup in the "custom backup folder" of the OneNotes which were already available in the new version (just as a hint: I needed to restart OneNote after adjusting the backup location in order to actually save this change). However if I now open the OneNote for Windows 10 and do the switch, the location did not change...

Additional info: The "BackUp_UserInitiated" location is within a OneDrive\Documents storage from my company but in my private space...

Is there any other way to change this location? Registry or so?

Thanks in advance,
BR, Jonas
Janey Palmer 0 Reputation points

2025-08-22T15:06:51.89+00:00

Lora - Please help those of us who are using OneNote for Windows 10. We do not have a "File" option and there is no "Save and Backup" option either. What is the actual workaround so we can have a backup?

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Unable to switch to new OneNote - error during backup

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