Knowledge Base

How to collect Volume Shadow Copy Service (Volume Snapshot Service) log files

Introduction

Windows includes a command called vssadmin that can be used to manage current volume shadow copy backups and all installed shadow copy writers and providers.

Solution

1. Click Start -> Run. Type in cmd and hit Enter;
   

2. In the command line issue the following commands:
   
   • vssadmin list writers > c:\vl_writers.txt
     

     This will save all subscribed volume shadow copy writers on the system to C:\vl_writers.txt

   • vssadmin list providers > c:\vl_providers.txt
     

     This will save all registered volume shadow copy providers to C:\vl_providers.txt

   • vssadmin list shadows > c:\vl_shadows.txt
     

     This will save all existing volume shadow copies to C:\vl_shadows.txt

More information

(!) Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 in Windows Small Business Server 2003 does not have the writer enabled by default. See Microsoft KB Article 838183.

See also:

• Domain Controller Cannot Start after Restore
• Using Acronis True Image to Back Up a System with VSS