The genuine VSSVC.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft's "VSSVC.exe" process, residing in "C:\Windows\System32", is a Windows service that starts with Windows and runs in the background. It only works for Microsoft's proprietary NTFS file system, used since Windows NT 3.1. It can be disabled or set to start manually. Neither is recommended because it is the Volume Shadow Copy Service main component, coordinating "provider" and "writer" routines to allow making copies of files while locked by the system or applications, including transactional processing where all or none of a transaction must succeed. It must be running for Windows or third-party backup to work properly. It can be capturing Shadow Copies even if Windows Backup is not active, enabling users of Vista and Windows 7 (but not 8/8.1/10) to retrieve "Previous Versions" of folders and files. It also exists in Windows Server, although with 150 or more disk volumes it may prevent Windows Server from starting.
VSSvc stands for Volume Shadow Copy Service
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the VSSVC.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Description: VSSVC.exe is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. VSSVC.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 1,025,536 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 1,055,232 bytes and 11 more variants.
The process is a service, and the service name is VSS. The service manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail.
The file is a Windows core system file. The program is not visible. VSSVC.exe is a Microsoft signed file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 4% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
If VSSVC.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 58% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes (95% of all occurrences) or 483,328 bytes.
The program has no visible window. The VSSVC.exe file is not a Windows system file.
VSSVC.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs, monitor applications and manipulate other programs.
If VSSVC.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 20% dangerous. The file size is 1,600,512 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 1,454,080 bytes, 1,055,232 bytes or 1,455,104 bytes.
The program has no visible window. The VSSVC.exe file is not a Windows system file. The file is a trustworthy file from Microsoft.
If VSSVC.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 68% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes.
Important: Some malware disguises itself as VSSVC.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the VSSVC.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
Score
User Comments
Volume Shadow Service ok. Leo
This service manages the "perfect image" backup of volumes that have files in use (opened) while the backup is going. It ensures that applications can continue writing data during the backup, that files that are opened are not omitted by the backup, and that backups can be performed at any time without locking users out. Recommendation : It is not possible to backup open files in Windows XP/2003 without this service running, so, if you use backup software, leave it running. If you have no use for this service, disable it via the "Administrative Tools \ Services" icon in the Control Panel. Felix
is a required backup process for systemstate backups IreckonUR
This service is fine, normal, expected, etc. Good for backing up locked file types. Ken
It started running on my PC, once I started installing VMWARE tools on guest operating system hosted on ESXi Server.
Felix is right-on with his assessment. If you feel that this file may be corrupted, from an administrative prompt type: sfc /scanfile=C:\Windows\System32\VSSVC.exe MJH
On a weekly scheduled basis, vssvc.exe is captured in the event system log as one service running, attempting logon but failing. In services, it was set as a manual start. In the Scheduler, Windows Backup is not scheduled but the unscheduled event triggers for time match the time of my Windows 7 system locking up requiring a power cycle. Additionally the Windows 8 Backup is defined to backup to a removable Drive not connected Lockup happens with or without the remote drive connected. To isolate, in Services, volume shadow copy & windows backup have been changed from manual to disabled. uniqueoperator
Vssvc.exe is a proccess belongs to Volume shadow copy service and not to Microsoft volume shadow service..Is totally different.Belongs to Microsoft Corporation.Internal name "VSSVC.EXE"File version on XP Pro SP3 is " 5.1.2600.5512(xpsp...)Location: C:\Windows\system32 and in hidden folder "system32\dllcache" Hell
my norton rate this file as trojan and when he tented to delete the computer restart
VSSVC could be part of a Korean virus . that resides in various parts of system including the recycle bin,it also hides itself there and if VSSVC is acting up your infected. Reberto
Genuine Microsoft program that does use CPU time, but is genuine. NPA
Summary: Average user rating of VSSVC.exe:
based on 27 votes with 12 user comments.
8 users think VSSVC.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
6 users think it's probably harmless.
8 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
2 users suspect danger.
3 users think VSSVC.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
2 users don't grade VSSVC.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving VSSVC issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with VSSVC. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the VSSVC.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
Score
User Comments
Leo
Felix
IreckonUR
Ken
MJH
uniqueoperator
Hell
polonus (further information)
Reberto
NPA
Summary: Average user rating of VSSVC.exe: based on 27 votes with 12 user comments. 8 users think VSSVC.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 6 users think it's probably harmless. 8 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 2 users suspect danger. 3 users think VSSVC.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 2 users don't grade VSSVC.exe ("not sure about it").