Easy Fix to A Shadow Copy Could Not Be Created Error

Scenario

“I am trying to backup my PC to a USB external mass storage drive using Windows 7 Backup feature. I am getting the following error: "A shadow copy could not be created. Please check "VSS" and "SPP" application event logs for more information. The specified object was not found. Error code: 0x81000019. Can anyone help me to fix it right? Thank you.”

A VSS, Volume Shadow Copy Service, is used to allow volume backups to occur while applications continue to write to your volumes. Windows built-in backup tools rely on Volume Shadow Copy to create image backup and restore points. Once there is a problem with Volume Shadows Copy, backup will not work.

Receiving this error message means all components depending on the service will not work. And the backup will not complete successfully because a Shadow Copy could not be created. This error happens mainly because your VSS and SPP aren't enabled nor need restarting.

How to fix a Shadow Copy could not be created?

When you come across this error, the first thing you should check is to see if the Volume Shadow Copy service and SPP services are started or not.

Enable VSS

1. Click Start, type services.msc in the Search box. Then press Enter to open the Services utility.

2. Find the Volume Shadow Copy item from the list.

3. Check the Status column corresponding to this item. If it is not running, click Start the service from the left menu.

4. You can set Startup type on Automatic by right-clicking on Volume Shadow Copy and click Properties.

Enable SPP

1. Go to Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Administrator Tools.

2. Double-click Services. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3. Roll down to find SPP Notification Service. If the SPP service is disabled, double-click it to open the service properties.

Delete all restore points

If your backup still failed with Shadow Copy error, you can try to delete all restore points. This method may be useful according to some users.

Step 1. Right click on computer and select Properties.

Step 2. At the left menu, click System Protection.

Step 3. Highlight C drive and click Configure.

Step 4. Click Delete all restore points.

Then use the same way to delete restore points on other drives.

Fix a Shadow Copy could not be created with AOMEI Backupper

After trying all the methods mentioned above, you still get the error message: “a Shadow Copy could not be created” while trying to make a backup, it’s time to find powerful backup and restore software to protect your computer.

AOMEI Backupper Standard is a free backup and restore software. It has embedded with both Microsoft VSS technology and AOMEI built-in VSS technology. Therefore, even if there is any problem with Volume Shadows Copy Service, you can still create VSS backup with the help of AOMEI Backupper.

Create VSS backup with AOMEI Backupper

Take system backup as an example. Let’s see how to create VSS backup with AOMEI Backupper.

Step 1. Download AOMEI Backupper and open this tool. Click System Backup under the Backup tab.

Step 2. You do not need to choose the source, it will choose automatically. Just select another location as the destination path.

Step 3. Click Options > Backup Mode > Backup Service and select Use Microsoft VSS. If the Windows VSS cannot be used, you can use AOMEI’s built-in technology.

Tips: You can also click Schedule to create incremental and differential backup.

Step 4. After all this done, click Start Backup.

“A Shadow Copy could not be created” is just one of Volume Shadow Copy Service errors. If you want to avoid these errors happening again, using AOMEI Backupper to backup and restore is absolutely the best solution.