Reset Virtual Shadow Copy Service

Summary: Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service can sometimes experience file changes rendering it unable to perform necessary tasks. Some of the tasks the VSS service performs are disk snapshot creation, backup program snapshots, and used by Microsoft Windows Hyper-V to create Virtual Machine checkpoints. ...

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Symptoms

Unable to take Virtual Machine production checkpoints. The error is:

"Production checkpoints cannot be created for...".

Backups fail. The error is:

 "Production checkpoints cannot be created for..."


Logs report that VSS service is not running:

VMWare Servers can show "Get-VMIntegrationService -VMName "XXXX" shows lost comm for VSS".

Cause

Periodic Windows Server updates and file corruption involving operating system files most commonly contribute to Volume Shadow Copy Service failure.   

Resolution

Instructions:
Below is a script designed to do a file reset for the Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) service.
1. Copy everything from below top border to above bottom-line border to a notepad file.
2. Save the file with a name of "RESET_VSS_SCRIPT.BAT" and run in an administrative command window.
 

rem Rename FILENAME to RESET_VSS_SCRIPT.BAT
rem Run script in Administrator command window

net stop "System Event Notification Service"
net stop "Background Intelligent Transfer Service"
net stop "COM+ Event System"
net stop "Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider"
net stop "Volume Shadow Copy"
cd /d %windir%\system32
net stop vss
net stop swprv
regsvr32 /s ATL.DLL
regsvr32 /s comsvcs.DLL
regsvr32 /s credui.DLL
regsvr32 /s CRYPTNET.DLL
regsvr32 /s CRYPTUI.DLL
regsvr32 /s dhcpqec.DLL
regsvr32 /s dssenh.DLL
regsvr32 /s eapqec.DLL
regsvr32 /s esscli.DLL
regsvr32 /s FastProx.DLL
regsvr32 /s FirewallAPI.DLL
regsvr32 /s kmsvc.DLL
regsvr32 /s lsmproxy.DLL
regsvr32 /s MSCTF.DLL
regsvr32 /s msi.DLL
regsvr32 /s msxml3.DLL
regsvr32 /s ncprov.DLL
regsvr32 /s ole32.DLL
regsvr32 /s OLEACC.DLL
regsvr32 /s OLEAUT32.DLL
regsvr32 /s PROPSYS.DLL
regsvr32 /s QAgent.DLL
regsvr32 /s qagentrt.DLL
regsvr32 /s QUtil.DLL
regsvr32 /s raschap.DLL
regsvr32 /s RASQEC.DLL
regsvr32 /s rastls.DLL
regsvr32 /s repdrvfs.DLL
regsvr32 /s RPCRT4.DLL
regsvr32 /s rsaenh.DLL
regsvr32 /s SHELL32.DLL
regsvr32 /s shsvcs.DLL
regsvr32 /s /i swprv.DLL
regsvr32 /s tschannel.DLL
regsvr32 /s USERENV.DLL
regsvr32 /s vss_ps.DLL
regsvr32 /s wbemcons.DLL
regsvr32 /s wbemcore.DLL
regsvr32 /s wbemess.DLL
regsvr32 /s wbemsvc.DLL
regsvr32 /s WINHTTP.DLL
regsvr32 /s WINTRUST.DLL
regsvr32 /s wmiprvsd.DLL
regsvr32 /s wmisvc.DLL
regsvr32 /s wmiutils.DLL
regsvr32 /s wuaueng.DLL
sfc /SCANFILE=%windir%\system32\catsrv.DLL
sfc /SCANFILE=%windir%\system32\catsrvut.DLL
sfc /SCANFILE=%windir%\system32\CLBCatQ.DLL
net start "COM+ Event System"

Affected Products

Fixed Workstations, Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Hyper-V™ Server 2008, Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008, Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Microsoft Windows 2008 Server R2 , Microsoft Windows 2008 Server Service Pack 2, Microsoft Windows 2012 Server, Microsoft Windows 2012 Server R2 ...

Products

PowerEdge, Mobile Workstations, Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows Server 2022, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008 , Prosupport for Microsoft Software ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000216324
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 05 Sep 2025
Version:  4
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