Filename, directory name or volume label syntax is incorrect, 0x8007007B

The error message The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect with error code 0x8007007B is one of the System Restore errors you might encounter when you attempt to carry out a System Restore operation on your Windows 10 device. This error pops up when exiting the System Restore applet after you must have manually created a restore point. In this post, we will identify the potential cause of this error as well as provide the most suitable solution you can try to successfully resolve the issue.

When you encounter this issue. you’ll receive the following full error message;

System Restore
There was an unexpected error:
The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
(0x8007007B)
Please close System Restore and try again.

The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect (0x8007007B)

This error occurs because the system is set to place a restore point to an invalid path or location.

A disk that is valid for a restore point must meet the requirements below.

• The drive selected must be of capacity 1 gigabyte (GB) or greater.
• Each drive with System Protection enabled must have at least 300 megabytes (MB) of free hard drive space.

A restore point might take up as much as 15% of the total available space available on each disk, but it will delete old restore points if it is necessary in order to make room for the new restore point.

So, if you’re faced with this issue, to resolve it, you need to set the Restore Point to a valid path.

Here’s how:

• Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
• In the Run dialog box, type sysdm.cpl and hit Enter to open System Properties window.
• In the System Properties window, click the System Protection tab.
• Under Protection settings, uncheck any invalid or duplicate location (if you have multiple drives installed, they’ll be listed here).
• An invalid location may appear as an entry identical to another entry, but without the Windows logo.
• Click to check the C: drive with the Windows logo.
• Click Apply > OK.

You can now create a restore point and see if the error still occurs.

If the issue is resolved, other Available Drives can be selected if they appear to be valid (with a graphic icon).

If you intend to protect all Available Drives, it is recommended that you add only one disk at a time and test System Restore until you have determined which of the listed Available Drives is not valid.

Read: System Restore not working, failed or did not complete successfully in Windows 10.

Hope you find this post helpful!