If you suddenly encountered an error that says, “The Task image is corrupt or has been tampered”, along with an error code of 0x80041321, read on as this post will guide you on what you can do to resolve this problem in your Windows 10 computer. According to security experts, this kind of error has something to do with a corrupt scheduled backup task wherein each time the task service plans to execute a task, it validates a few things. And if it finds any issue with the integrity or corruption in the registry, it will mark those tasks as corrupt and throws the error 0x80041321.
There are several options you can check out to fix the problem. You can try using the Registry Editor to edit and fix the corrupted tasks or you could also delete the schedule keys or the WindowsBackup file, as well as try deleting the task from the Task Scheduler or refresh the User_Feed_Synchronization. But before you of these potential fixes, make sure that you check every option and verify if it’s not associated or trying to run a file which it should not. In addition, make sure that you create a System Restore point as well so that you can undo any changes you will be making if anything goes wrong. Once you have these things covered, refer to each one of the options provided below.
Option 1 – Try to use the Registry Editor to edit and fix corrupted tasks
The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to edit those tasks via Registry Editor, as well as fix the corrupted ones in System32. Before you proceed, keep in mind that since you are dealing with the Backup triggered by the Task Scheduler, you can find the entries for the tasks on different locations. You can find the Task Scheduler at Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Backup, whereas, you can find it in this path in the Registry Editor, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ Schedule \ WindowsBackup \ AutomaticBackup \. On the other hand, you can find the Windows System folder at C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsBackup. You need to ensure that the name of the task name is the same as everywhere and take note of the name. Once you have these covered, follow the steps below.
- Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and type “regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Next, navigate to this key: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsBackup
- From there, take note of the GUID value in the ID entry of the task under the AutomaticBackup and Windows Backup Monitor folder.
- After that, you have to remove the task registry entries related with the ID from these locations
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Plain
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Logon
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Boot
- Once done, you have to create a temporary copy of the corrupted task file by going to this location: C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsBackup
- From there, look for the AutomaticBackup and Windows Backup Monitor tasks and copy them to a location where you can keep it safe.
- Next, you have to fix the corrupted task by deleting it from this location: C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsBackup
- After that, you have to recreate the task by going to Task Scheduler > Microsoft > Windows> Windows Backup.
- Now click on the Action menu and on Import task and navigate to the backup files and import them.
- Once you’ve created the tasks, run them manually and see if the error is now fixed.
Option 2 – Try to delete the Schedule keys in the Registry
- Launch the Registry Editor and go to this key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Schedule
- From there, delete all of its sub-keys.
- Once done, exit the Registry Editor and check if the Backup Tasks is now working.
Option 3 – Try to remove the WindowsBackup file
The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to remove the WindowsBackup file if the first two options didn’t work. It is possible that the problem have something to do with corrupted Task files. The task files are XML files that include parameters, programs to use and many more. If any of these files ends up getting corrupted, the task scheduler will have trouble in running it and will throw the “The Task image is corrupt or has been tampered with” error.
- To delete it, go to C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsBackup.
- From this location, get rid of all the files. You could also these files via Command Prompt using the DEL command.
- Once done, go to the Backup and Restore in the Control Panel and set up the Windows Backup again.
Option 4 – Try to delete the task from the Task Scheduler
If you don’t want to delete the files from Windows Explorer, you can delete them instead via Task Scheduler.
- Open the Task Scheduler and go to Task Schedule Library\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsBackup.
- From there, delete both of the tasks and set up Windows Backup again.
- Once done, go to the Task Manager and run the AutomaticBackup task again and see if it works.
Option 5 – Try to restart the Task Scheduler service
As mentioned, it is possible that the Task Scheduler service could be disabled. You could have disabled it when trying to enhance your computer’s performance and whatnot. Thus, you need to verify if it’s running or not and then restart it.
- First, you need to tap the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Next, type “services.msc” in the field and click OK or tap Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
- You will see a list of Services and from there, look for the Task Scheduler service and double click on it.
- After that, go to the General tab and click on the Startup Type options and then select “Automatically” from the given list.
- Click on the “RUN” option and select the “Restart the Service” option.
- And click on the “After Second Failure” option and then select the “Restart Service” option again.
- Now click on the “After Subsequent Failures” tab and select the “Restart the Service” option.
- Finally, click on the Apply and OK buttons and then run the Task Scheduler and see if the issue is now fixed.
Option 6 – Try refreshing the User_Feed_Synchronization
According to security experts, enabling and disabling the User Feed sync also known as the User_Feed_Synchronization task can help resolve the problem.
- Tap the Win + X keys and select the PowerShell (admin) option from the menu.
- Next, type the “msfeedssync disable” command and tap Enter.
- Repeat the same process but this time run the “msfeedssync enable” command.
Besides the “The task image is corrupt or has been tampered with (0x80041321)” error on Task Scheduler in your Windows 10 computer, if your computer has other issues, there is a quick fix you can try. Often referred to as a one-click solution, what makes this program better than other system utility tools or antivirus programs is that aside from helping you free up disk usage and memory in your computer, it helps you in fixing whatever issue your system is facing. This program is known as Advanced System Repair and is a useful tool that could repair corrupted registries and optimize your PC’s overall performance, including Blue Screen of Death errors. Aside from that, it also cleans out your computer for any junk or corrupted files that help you eliminate any unwanted files from your system. This is basically a solution that’s within your grasp with just a click. It’s easy to use as it is user-friendly. For complete set of instructions in downloading and using it, refer to the steps below.
Perform a full system scan using ASR. To do so, follow the instructions below.
- Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
- After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.
- To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
- Windows will now load the Safe Mode with Networking.
- Press and hold both R key and Windows key.
- If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
- Type in the URL address in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
- After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
- Once the installation process is completed, run ASR to perform a full system scan.
- After the scan is completed click the “Fix, Clean & Optimize Now” button.
