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Acronis VSS Doctor is a free tool for diagnosing and repairing Volume Shadow Copy Service issues.
Volume Shadow Copy Service (aka VSS, Shadow Copy, or Volume Snapshot Service) is a built-in Windows technology that allows snapshots of PC files or volumes to be taken, even when they are in use. Most backup software programs rely on VSS to perform backup and recovery operations.
VSS can fail for various reasons, causing backup software to stop working properly. But diagnosing the problem can be tricky given the number of system components involved.
Acronis VSS Doctor Benefits:
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- Diagnose all VSS components with one click
- Generates a report with the results of the tests performed
- Automatically collects data from scattered sources into a single report
- Fixes issues with one click when a pre-defined solution is available
- Easily spots the weak places in the VSS infrastructure
Acronis VSS Doctor Features:
Diagnose and repair
- Configuration and status of VSS-related services: Volume Shadow Copy, Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider, COM+ Event System
- VSS COM-interface registration (not supported for Windows XP)
- Configuration of VSS providers
- Access rights for VSS (not supported for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003)
- Configuration of VSS shadow storage (not supported for Windows XP)
- Access rights for NTFS volumes
Diagnose only
- Free space is available on disks. Provides drive letter assignment for “hidden” volumes
- Current I/O load of disks
- List of VSS-related errors/warnings from Windows Event Log
- List of faulted VSS writers
Report generation
- Diagnostic results can be saved as a plain-text report for sharing or future analysis
Acronis VSS Doctor – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Diagnoses and repairs common Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) issues that can prevent backup and recovery software from functioning correctly. | ✗ Focuses exclusively on VSS-related issues and does not provide general Windows repair, disk management, or backup capabilities. |
| ✓ Automatically checks the health of VSS components, services, writers, and system settings to simplify troubleshooting. | ✗ Some advanced repair operations may require administrator privileges or a system restart to take effect. |
| ✓ Provides a straightforward interface for identifying backup-related problems without relying on command-line tools. | ✗ Cannot resolve hardware failures, corrupted storage devices, or backup software issues unrelated to Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service. |
| ✓ Helps restore reliable backup functionality by repairing common VSS configuration errors and inconsistencies. | ✗ Manual troubleshooting may still be required when issues originate from third-party backup applications or Windows components. |
| ✓ Lightweight utility that can quickly analyze systems without requiring extensive technical knowledge or complex configuration. | ✗ Intended as a troubleshooting utility rather than a continuous system monitoring or preventive maintenance solution. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Acronis VSS Doctor and Microsoft VSSAdmin?
Both tools help diagnose Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) issues. Acronis VSS Doctor provides a graphical interface with automated diagnostics, reporting, and one-click repairs for supported problems. Microsoft VSSAdmin is a command-line utility that requires manual commands to inspect and manage VSS components.
Is Acronis VSS Doctor safe to use?
Yes. It is designed to diagnose and repair common Volume Shadow Copy Service configuration issues without modifying unrelated Windows components. For best results, run the tool with administrator privileges and create a backup before making system changes.
Can Acronis VSS Doctor fix backup errors?
It can resolve many backup failures caused by Volume Shadow Copy Service configuration problems, faulty VSS writers, or related system settings. However, it cannot repair backup failures caused by hardware problems or issues unrelated to VSS.
Do I need Acronis Backup to use Acronis VSS Doctor?
No. Acronis VSS Doctor is a standalone utility that can diagnose and repair Volume Shadow Copy Service issues independently. It can also help troubleshoot VSS-related problems that affect other Windows backup applications.
Official Homepage – https://www.acronis.com/en-eu/products/vss-doctor
Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (32-bit, 64-bit).
- Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019.
