VSS is the Volume Shadow Copy Service in Windows that automatically backs up file snapshots and storage volumes even when files are in use. Volume Shadow Copy is essential to Windows backup and System Restore utilities. As such, you might get a Volume Shadow Copy error for a system image backup or when rolling Windows back to a restore point. If a Volume Shadow Copy Service error pops up, the System Restore utility won’t restore Windows. Furthermore, the Windows backup tool might not work when you try to copy files to an external USB drive.

What causes a VSS error on Windows 10?

From many users’ experiences, we figured a few elements would trigger this error. Among these are the following:

Disabled VSS – This is the most common reason. If it has been disabled on any volumes part of the backup, you may expect this error. High disk activity – Since VSS requires the volumes to be frozen for snapshots for an extended time, it cannot make a shadow copy when disk activity is high. Firewalls – In some cases, they may interfere with the VSS settings and cause an error. Remember, it is always best to use the most compatible antivirus applications.

Let us explore some top fixes for the Windows 10 VSS error.

How do I fix the Volume Shadow Copy Service error?

1. Start the Volume Shadow Copy service

2. Erase junk files for all drive partitions

Note: Some users have fixed VSS errors by utilizing Disk Clean-up in Windows to erase junk files. You’ll need to scan each partition with a disk clean utility if you have two or more drive partitions. There are numerous third-party utility software you can delete junk files with, but this is how you can utilize Disk Clean-up in Windows 10. One of the most reliable third-party utility software you can try using is Wise Disk Cleaner as it can significantly make your computer run faster by deleting junk files and other items that take up major hard disk space. ⇒ Get Wise Disk Cleaner

3. Switch off the Windows Firewall

Note: Turn off the Windows Firewall to ensure it isn’t interfering with VSS.

4. Disable anti-virus software

In addition to switching off the Windows Firewall, disable third-party anti-virus software. You can temporarily switch off the anti-virus by right-clicking the system tray icons and selecting a disable option. SPONSORED However, if you can’t find a disable option on the system tray context menu, open the anti-virus software’s main window to select a switch-off option.

5. Expand Volume Shadow Copy storage space

Note: VSS errors can be due to a lack of storage space for shadow copies. So allocating more storage space for shadow copies can fix VSS errors. 

7. Erase orphaned shadows

Note: VSS errors can also be due to the accumulation of orphaned shadows in Windows.  Third-party backup software with VSS components can conflict with Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service. Thus, uninstalling third-party backup utilities can fix numerous VSS errors. We strongly recommend removing the backup utilities with a third-party uninstaller that will erase leftover registry entries. This is a Windows gadget that allows you to uninstall software more thoroughly. When you uninstall the software from Control Panel, sometimes you won’t delete all the associated files. An uninstaller can find and remove these junk files and hidden or broken shortcuts from a previously uninstalled program. Some of those resolutions should fix VSS errors on your desktop or laptop so you can utilize System Restore and other Windows backup utilities. If you have any other system backup errors, check out this post. Let us know in the comments what worked best for you.

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