How to take backup of Windows VSS store?

Question

Is it possible to take a backup or image of the shadow store created by the Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)?

Would Windows Backup include this data when doing a backup?

The VSS "Store" by default is within the same file system as the files that are being shadowed; like a snapshot function of NTFS. They aren't actually copied anywhere (normally) unless the file is changed after the shadow is taken. — Chris S, Jul 10 '13 at 12:52
Are you asking this in hopes of a full restore having access to "previous versions"? If so, good question. — TheCleaner, Jul 10 '13 at 13:13

score -2 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 10 '13 at 12:45

-2

There's actually no reason to back up this store. All VSS does is make a copy of your drive (well, commonly-used files) that is actually used by Windows Backup and other backup tools.

answered Jul 10 '13 at 12:45

Nathan C

14,901
4
42
62

Sure there is a reason. Lets say I was transitioning to a new file and I wanted the 'Previous Versions' tab to keep working for my users. – Zoredache Jul 10 '13 at 17:15
Makes sense. In that case an image backup would be more appropriate because of the way VSS handles things. – Nathan C Jul 10 '13 at 17:29
@NathanC: how can I create an image backup of just one folder? – CJ7 Jul 11 '13 at 04:07
@CJ7 You can't. Image backup is the entire server. – Nathan C Jul 11 '13 at 11:26

How to take backup of Windows VSS store?

1 Answers1