How to Delete Shadow Copies on Windows 11/10/Server? [4 Ways]

What Is Shadow Copy

Shadow Copy is known as VSS or Volume Snapshot Service.

It creates backup copies or snapshots of computer files and volumes, even if they are in use.

You may find that vssvc.exe is running in Task Manager and causes high disk usage or high memory issue.

This post tells you what it is and how to fix the issue.

Why Should You Delete Shadow Copies

Why should delete shadow copies?

There are two main reasons:

How to Delete Shadow Copies on Windows 11/10/Server?

Step 2: TypeSystemPropertiesProtectionin the box and pressEnterto open theSystem Propertieswindow.

Step 3: Now, you are under theSystem Protectiontab.

Click theConfigure…button.

Step 4: Click theDeletebutton.

When you see a warning message, kindly click theContinuebutton to delete all shadow copies.

For Windows Server

Step 1: OpenFile Explorerby pressing theWindows + Ekeys together.

Step 2: ClickThis PCand right-click your C drive to chooseConfigure Shadow Copies….

Step 3: opt for shadow copy you want to delete and click theDelete Nowbutton to continue.

When you receive a warning message, clickYesto allow it to make changes.

Alt-delete shadow copies on Windows Server

How to delete old Windows 10 File History backup?

How to fix the File History cleanup not working issue?

This post provides answers for you.

Step 1: TypeDisk Cleanupin the Search box and grab the best-matched result to open it.

Step 2: Choose the drive or partition that you want to delete shadow copies and clickOK.

Step 3: Go to theMore Optionstab.

Under theSystem Restore and Shadow Copiespart, click theClean up…button.

Step 4: When you receive the message, click theDeletebutton to continue.

The following provides information about the parameters and meanings of vssadmin.

Then, you might remove shadow commands using vssadmin in Command Prompt.

Step 1: Typecmdin the Search box and chooseRun as administratorin the right panel.

Step 2: Enter the following command based on your needs.

To delete all shadow copies on a specific volume, throw in the below command and pressEnter.

vssadmin delete shadows /for=c: /all

2.

To delete a specific shadow copyfrom any volume, pop in the below command and pressEnter.

vssadmin delete shadows /shadow=[Shadow ID].

To delete the oldest shadow copy on a specific volume, punch in the below command and pressEnter.

vssadmin delete shadows /for=c: /oldest

Step 3: Typeexitand pressEnterto exit Command Prompt.

Resize Shadow Storage to Delete

you could also resize shadow storage to delete shadow copies via vssadmin command.

This operation will delete all your shadow copies on the specified volume.

The last method for you is via PowerShell.

Step 1: TypePowerShellin theSearchbox and chooseRun as administrator.

Step 2: To delete shadow copies using PowerShell, jot down the command:shadowcopy delete /nointeractive.

Thebackup softwareis an all-in-one data protection and disaster recovery solution for PCs.

It is compatible with Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 and Windows Servers.

Once a disaster occurs, you could restore data with a copy of the backup.

Its easy to use MiniTool Media Builder and MiniTool PXE Boot Tool to maintain hard drives.

it’s possible for you to download MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial to back up the system.

Step 2: On its main interface, switch to theBackuptab.

Step 3: Go to theSOURCEpart on the left.

Here, your system is selected by default, and you dont need to choose it.

Its recommended to choose the external hard drive as the backup destination.

Step 5: Then, on the lower right, clickOptions > Backup Scheme.

It is turned off by default.

it’s possible for you to decide how many backup image versions to keep on your backup destination.

There, you’re free to view the status of your backup.

Just wait until it finishes.

Way 1. nudge the inverted triangle besideBack Up Nowand choose the backup key in you prefer.

Way 2. choose the three slashes on the right end of the backup task graphic bar and selectEdit Scheme.

Then, follow above Step 5 to finish the parameters.

How to do this job?

Then, you’re able to start a system recovery in WinPE.

Step 2: The backup time will be shown, choose the backup version and clickNextto continue.

Step 3: Next, choose all system partitions as well asMBR and Track 0to restore.

Therefore, just be sure to check it.

ClickOKto the next step.

Step 5: Now the software is performing the system image recovery process.

After the operation, reboot your gear and it can run properly.

VSS identifies each shadow copy by a persistent GUID.

A shadow copy set is a collection of shadow copies of various volumes taken simultaneously.

Any data not transferred to the disk will be lost when the snapshot is taken.