Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider (swprv) Service Defaults in Windows 11

Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. If this service is stopped, software-based volume shadow copies cannot be managed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider
Service name:swprv
Service type:own
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k swprv
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\swprv.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\swprv
Privileges:
  • SeBackupPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeCreatePermanentPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeManageVolumePrivilege
  • SeRestorePrivilege
  • SeIncreaseBasePriorityPrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeRestorePrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege

Default Behavior

Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider service is started, it logs on as LocalSystem and running in its own process of svchost.exe. If Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the swprv service startup failure.

Dependencies

Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider cannot be started, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service won't start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config swprv start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The swprv service is using the swprv.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 11 installation media.