Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) Service Defaults in Windows 8
Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | Volume Shadow Copy |
| Service name: | VSS |
| Service type: | own |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\vssvc.exe |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS |
Default Behavior
The Volume Shadow Copy service is a Win32 program that can be started by the Service Controller and that obeys the service control protocol. In Windows 8 it will not be started until the user starts it. When the Volume Shadow Copy service is started, it runs as LocalSystem in its own process of vssvc.exe. If Volume Shadow Copy fails to start, the error details are added to Windows 8 error log. When the operating system startup is complete, the user is being notified that the VSS service hasn't been started.
Dependencies
Volume Shadow Copy can't start, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is disabled or not available.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Volume Shadow Copy
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Volume Shadow Copy 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 VSS start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The VSS service is using the vssvc.exe 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 8 installation media.