Volume Shadow Copy driver (volsnap) Service Defaults in Windows 11
Volume class filter driver that takes and manages snapshots.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Boot |
| Display name: | Volume Shadow Copy driver |
| Service name: | volsnap |
| Service type: | kernel |
| Error control: | critical |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\volsnap.sys |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\volsnap |
Default Behavior
Volume Shadow Copy driver is a kernel driver. In Windows 11 it starts by the operating system Boot Loader before the Kernel initialization, as a part of the driver stack. If Volume Shadow Copy driver fails to start, Windows 11 tries to record the error details into Event Log and restart the PC, using the Last Known Good configuration. If the Last Known Good configuration can't be used, Windows 11 startup process halts with a Stop error. If you disable or delete the volsnap service, Windows 11 won't start.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Volume Shadow Copy driver
1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config volsnap start= boot
sc start volsnap
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The volsnap service is using the volsnap.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 11 installation media.