Acronis VSS Doctor is a free diagnostics and repair utility designed by Acronis to automatically troubleshoot and resolve Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) errors on Windows operating systems.
Backup applications like Acronis True Image, Acronis Cyber Protect, and Windows Server Backup rely entirely on Microsoft’s VSS framework to capture live, application-consistent snapshots of a disk while files are actively being modified. When VSS sub-components, registry permissions, or storage limits break down, your backups fail.
The following step-by-step article details how to use Acronis VSS Doctor to scan your infrastructure, understand the underlying faults, and repair VSS components in a single click. Step 1: Download and Run with Administrative Rights
Because VSS is an core Windows subsystem, modifying its components requires deep local administrative rights.
Download the free executable from the Acronis VSS Doctor download page. Locate the downloaded .exe file in your system. Right-click the file and select Run as administrator. Step 2: Initialize the Diagnostic Scan
The tool uses a consolidated scanning engine to pinpoint failures across scattered system locations.
Click the Start diagnostic button at the bottom of the user interface.
Wait a few moments while the tool evaluates service status, VSS providers, registry settings, shadow storage dimensions, and Windows Event Logs. Step 3: Analyze the Issue Reports
Once completed, the tool displays an overview of your VSS environment categorized by individual scan fields.
Look specifically for modules marked with a red exclamation mark (!), indicating a detected error.
Click Show details on any flagged section to read the exact technical error code or warning description.
Optional: Click Save log to output the full diagnostic results into a raw plain-text file for administrative tracking. Step 4: Deploy the Built-in Repair Engine
Acronis VSS Doctor features built-in remediation scripts that handle the majority of common configuration errors natively. Click the Fix issues button next to the faulted result.
Review the Warning Box: A warning pop-up may alert you that resolving shadow storage space constraints can clear existing Windows System Protection restore points. If you accept this action, confirm the prompt to proceed.
The tool will automatically fix the faulty components, which may include restarting stuck VSS writers, registering broken COM interfaces, or resizing small shadow copy spaces. Step 5: Post-Repair Verification
Click Start diagnostic once more after the repairs conclude to confirm that all flagged items now display green checkmarks.
Click the Back up now option or reopen your primary Acronis application to test the backup routine against the freshly restored VSS framework. What Does Acronis VSS Doctor Fix Automatically?
The program scans and attempts automatic fixes for several critical parts of the VSS ecosystem: System Layer Handled VSS Checks & Fixes Windows Services
Restores the default configuration and startup types for the Volume Shadow Copy and COM+ Event System services. Registry & Permissions
Repairs access rights for VSS, addresses VSS COM-interface registrations, and corrects security descriptors. Shadow Storages
Fixes inadequately sized shadow storage volumes by adjusting them to safe parameters required for live backups. Event Log Insights
Consolidates VSS-specific errors from the Windows Event Viewer into one visible panel. Manual Troubleshooting for Persistent Faults
If Acronis VSS Doctor encounters errors it cannot repair natively (such as deeply corrupted Microsoft OS components or broken third-party database writers), manual command line maintenance may be required: Acronis VSS Doctor Cures Failing VSS