1167 - System state restore fails on DFSR VSS writer

Symptom

A system state restore to a different host fails pre-restore if a distributed file services replication (DFSR) writer is included in the restore selection. The following errors present:

ERROR : 16:57:03 Could not prepare for restore of VSS writer 'DFS Replication service writer' (0x800423f4; writer error (not retryable), please check the event log for related events from the application hosting the VSS writer). [Writer details: 473d2324-2707-761b-3395-357a00ebeb88;46903473-a7ac-a2fa-8088-69bc3dd1d1ac;failed at pre restore]
ERROR : 16:57:03 Restore failed: A writer failed while preparing for restore

Solution

This problem can be prevented by excluding the DFSR writer from the backup selection in the first place. To do this, go to the system state view and expand the system state folder structure. 

Right-click the folder "DFS Replication service writer" and click Exclude.

Workaround

If you are attempting a system state restore to a second host and you encounter the errors above, follow these steps:

1. Restore the files from the files view of the Restore tab.
2. In the system state view of the Restore tab, deselect the DFSR writer from the restore selection. To do this, expand the system state folder structure (as shown above). Right-click the folder "DFS Replication service writer" and click Exclude.
3. Start the restore. You will then be prompted to restart the host you are restoring to.