Windows Server® 2012 Unleashed

Using VSS and Windows Server Backup

When the Windows Server Backup program runs a backup of a local NTFS volume, VSS is used by default to create a snapshot or shadow copy of the volume’s current data. This data is saved to the same or another local volume or disk. The Backup program then uses the shadow copy to back up data, leaving the disk free to support users and the operating system. When the backup is complete, the shadow copy is automatically deleted from the local disk. For more information about VSS and Windows Server Backup, see to Chapters 30 and 31, “Backing Up the Windows Server 2012 Environment,” and “Recovering from a Disaster,” respectively. One important point is that for VSS backups to work properly, shadow copies should be ...