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The message “The task image is corrupted or changed (0x80041321)” appears to users when their Windows is unable to complete the task to create its own backup. This happens, as a rule, due to problems with the task itself in the Task Scheduler.

When the system plans to complete a task, it checks certain things. If the OS detects any deviations in its registry regarding this task, then it is marked as damaged. The good news is that this problem can be easily fixed.

The task image is corrupted or modified (0x80041321)

First of all, you need to check the parameters of the desired task. Carefully review each of its options and make sure that it has nothing to do with any suspicious files. Some users claim that error 0x80041321 can occur as a result of malware or viruses running on the system.

Method # 1 Fix corrupted tasks in the Windows registry

Often, error 0x80041321 gets rid of with the help of certain manipulations within the system registry. You should be aware that records related to backup tasks can be found in many different places on the system.

In Task Scheduler:

• ↓ Task Scheduler (Local)
• ↓ Task Scheduler Library
• ↓ Microsoft
• ↓ Windows
• ↓ WindowsBackup

In the system registry (regedit):

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows NT CurrentVersion Schedule WindowsBackup AutomaticBackup

In the Windows system folder:

• C: Windows System32 Tasks Microsoft Windows WindowsBackup

Make sure that the name of the task you need matches in all the above places. Have you checked everything? Great, then it’s time to go directly to the method itself.

Step # 1 Deleting registry entries related to the task

So, open the registry (Win + R -> regedit) and navigate to the following branch:

• Computer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows NT CurrentVersion Schedule TaskCache Tree Microsoft Windows WindowsBackup

Once you go to the specified branch, copy the value of the “id” entry in folders such as AutomaticBackup and Windows Backup Monitor – it will have to match. Now go to these registry branches and get rid of the keys that will be signed by the previously copied value of the “id” entry:

• 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

Step # 2 Creating a temporary copy of the problem task files

Change to the following directory of the system using Explorer:

• C: Windows System32 Tasks Microsoft Windows WindowsBackup

Find the backup task files (AutomaticBackup and Windows Backup Monitor) and copy them to a location convenient for you.

Step # 3 Removing the damaged task

Remove corrupted tasks causing error 0x80041321 from the following directory:

• C: Windows System32 Tasks Microsoft Windows WindowsBackup

Step 4 Re-creating the task using a previously saved copy

Now we will deal with importing tasks, which can be done in two ways: through the Task Scheduler and through the Command Line.

Task Scheduler

• Open Task Scheduler and navigate to the following directory:
  • Microsoft Windows WindowsBackup
• click on the “Import task …” option on the right side of the window;
• select previously saved copies of tasks and click on the “Open” button.

Command line

• Open Command Prompt with administrator rights (Win + X / Win + R -> cmd);
• enter the command Schtasks.exe / CREATE / TN / XML and press Enter;

Once the tasks are created, go to Task Scheduler and manually run the backup task to check for error 0x80041321.

Method # 2 Deleting task entries in the registry

Open the system register and go to:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows NT CurrentVersion Schedule

Delete all subsections of the “Schedule” section, then restart your computer and check for error 0x80041321.

Method # 3 Deleting WindowsBackup File

In the first method, we tried to repair the corrupted Windows registry entries with you. If this does not help, then the problem may lie directly in the damaged (XML) files of the task itself. The Task Scheduler will not be able to perform this or that task if its files are damaged – it is logical, you will agree.

There are two ways to get rid of a damaged task.

Via Explorer:

• go to the directory C: Windows System32 Tasks Microsoft Windows WindowsBackup;
• delete all files that are in this folder.

Via Task Scheduler:

• Open Task Scheduler;
• go to Microsoft Windows WindowsBackup;
• remove tasks such as AutomaticBackup and Windows Backup Monitor;
• restart your computer and then re-configure Windows backup.

Method # 4 Update User_Feed_Synchronization

On the Microsoft forums, it was reported that disabling and enabling the User_Feed_Synchronization task helps to combat error 0x80041321. If none of the above helps, try it. Perhaps it is this method that will save you from the error.

• Press Windows + S;
• write PowerShell;
• right-click on the found result and select “Run as administrator”;
• enter the command in the window that appears msfeedssync disable and press Enter;
• then write the command msfeedssync enable and press Enter.

The system will not give any sign; nevertheless, you need to restart your computer after the steps taken. I would like to believe that this material helped you get rid of error 0x80041321.