We are getting a VMAStopDrivers error message when trying to uninstall the Veeam Backup & Replication software. We are running from Programs & Features on an account with full admin access to the computer, on Windows 11 Pro v25H2.
Trying to update to the most recent version of Veeam (in order to refresh the program files) doesn’t go through, due to the same error message, so stuck in a position with an older version installed (vulnerability) but unable to remove or update
+21That does not seem like it is a Veeam related file or application. I would check if there is another app blocking the removal or AV as well. Shut them down then try again.
+5I’m not sure what to suggest regarding to this exact error message, but keep in mind that it can often be simpler to just take a configuration backup of Veeam, build a new server, and restore the configuration backup to that server with the upgraded version.
Here is information on how to create and restore configuration backups.
I’m not sure what to suggest regarding to this exact error message, but keep in mind that it can often be simpler to just take a configuration backup of Veeam, build a new server, and restore the configuration backup to that server with the upgraded version.
Here is information on how to create and restore configuration backups.
Alas, unfortunately it’s on a daily use (by the MD) desktop so reinstallation is definitely last resort
Do you also have Veeam Agent for Windows installed on the workstation?
Please try to uninstall that first. I checked with my colleagues in Veeam Support and there are some mentions of cases with this error, but it seems to be relegated to Windows 10/11 workstations that had Veeam Agent for Windows also installed.
If you can’t make headway, open a support case please.
Veeam agent was installed, but has uninstalled nicely quite some time ago so no longer involved.
I have raised 2 support cases for this issue, one of them over 9 months ago with no reply, and another one in the past week again with no reply.
Can you share your case number please? I will check it with the Support Team, I’m guessing it was community edition case, correct?
Also, can you check in Programs and Features (appwiz.cpl) and show a screenshot of what’s installed with Veeam at the moment?
Community edition cases, under 07387103 (auto closed August 2024), and 07880642 (raised 7th November 2025). I don’t have access to computer at the moment, but error message attached with version number visible as well
Got it, indeed it’s Community Edition which is served on a ‘best-effort’ basis.
Let’s wait to see if Support has the bandwidth to handle free cases at this moment, but from the screenshot you provided I can see it looks like 12.3.2 was actually installed at some point.
Try again with the named local Administrator account (not a member of Administrators or Domain Admin, the SID will be different)
Similarly, given that it’s access denied and I see the Qualys agent, can easily imagine that being a problem. Disabling AV typically isn’t enough as they get deep into the system, so if it’s possible to set it to a permissive or learning mode (where it logs and alerts, but doesn’t block), that might help.
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