Ultimate Guide: Enable Shadow Copies in Windows Server 2019

What are Shadow Copies in Server 2019?

Windows Server includes the Shadow Copy feature, which uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to create snapshots or backups of files and volumes, even if they’re in use. Since Shadow Copy works with the NTFS file system, only NTFS-formatted drives can take advantage of this feature.

When you enable and schedule shadow copies, you can restore specific files, folders, or full volumes. Shadow Copy saves only the changes made to files, keeping storage use low. It’s a simple and efficient way to recover data. Want to know how to set up Shadow Copy on Windows Server 2019? Check out this guide for easy steps to enable or disable it.

How to Enable Shadow Copies in Windows Server 2019

When you activate Shadow Copy on Windows Server 2019, you're capturing a snapshot of any changes made to files and folders in that volume at a given point in time. This allows you to easily restore previous versions of your files and folders if needed.

Follow the steps below to learn how to set up Shadow Copy on Windows Server 2019:

Step 1. Press the Win + X button on the keyboard to open the power user menu, and select Disk Management.

Step 2. Locate and select the partition where the server is installed. Right-click on it and choose Properties.

Step 3. On the Properties window, navigate to the Shadow Copies tab and click on Enable. A confirmation window will appear, where you should click Yes to proceed with the creation.

Step 4. Once the confirmation is given, you will notice that a restore point has been generated in the selected volume.

Step 5. To further customize the shadow copy settings, click on Settings. From there, you can specify the maximum copy size, determine the storage location for shadow copies, and establish a custom backup schedule.

Step 6. After configuring the shadow copy settings, please hit Create Now to enable a shadow copy on Server 2019.

If you're facing an issue where Shadow Copy could not be created on Server 2019, it might be due to the Volume Shadow Copy service not being active.

It’s important to remember that Shadow Copy is not a replacement for full backups. Unlike standard backups that save all files and folders, Shadow Copy only records changes made to them. Because of this, it shouldn’t be relied on as a complete backup solution.

How to Disable Shadow Copies on Server 2019

What if you want to turn off Shadow Copy after configuring Shadow Copies on Server 2019? To disable or delete shadow copies on Windows Server 2019, you can follow these steps:

Step 1. Access the Shadow Copies section likewise. From there, click on the Disable button to turn off Shadow Copy on the Server.

Step 2. You can select useless versions of shadow copies by tapping on the Delete Now button.

Easier and Securer Solution to Backup Files in Windows Server 2019👍

Looking for a safer way to back up your Windows Server files? AOMEI Backupper Server is a great choice. This software provides a reliable alternative to Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy, allowing you to easily create backups for files, folders, systems, disks, and partitions based on your needs.

✍ Compatible with Windows Server 2003/2008 (R2)/2011/2012 (R2)/2016 (R2)/2019/2022/2025/SBS, AOMEI Backupper Server offers flexible backup options.
✍ You can schedule backups on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis and choose between full and incremental backup methods.
✍ The software also automatically deletes old backup images using smart cleanup methods to efficiently manage disk space.
✍ For Windows system users, AOMEI Backupper Standard makes it easy to create Shadow Copies on Windows 10 and other operating systems.

Download the free trial, and follow the simple guide below to create a file backup on Windows Server 2019 now.

Step 1. Run AOMEI Backupper, and choose Backup then File Backup.

Step 2. Name the task as desired. Tap on Add File or Add Folder to choose the items you wish to back up.

Step 3. Select a destination path to save the backup files and folders.

Step 4. (Optional) By default, this software uses Windows built-in VSS. But you can hit Options > go to Backup Mode > Backup Services to switch to Use AOMEI Backup Service.

Step 5. After that, press the Start Backup button to do shadow copies on Server 2019 without a hitch.

✈ Further reading: If you are planning to back up Server files on the cloud and looking for a secure and huge cloud storage solution, you can take AOMEI Cloud into consideration. With a free AOMEI account, you can backup files to AOMEI Cloud, offering 1TB of free storage for 15 days since signing up.

Bonus Tip: Best Enterprise Data Backup Solution✌

If you’re an enterprise user with multiple Windows Server devices that need reliable backups, consider the best enterprise backup software AOMEI Cyber Backup, the top choice for comprehensive enterprise backup solutions.

• It allows you to back up systems, disks, and partitions across multiple Windows PCs and Servers, supporting Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 and Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012 (R2)/2008 (R2).
• You can store your backup files on local disks, external drives, network shares, or NAS devices.
• Easily set up daily, weekly, or monthly backups using full, incremental, or differential methods.

Try AOMEI Cyber Backup today for robust enterprise data protection!

To make backups for client computers, just log in to AOMEI Cyber Backup, and add the Windows device that you want to backup. Then click Backup Task on the left menu bar and select Backup Task > Create New Task.

Note: AOMEI Cyber Backup can not only help you back up physical machines but also virtual machines. It enables you to backup Hyper-V and VMware easily.

🔥Hot: What's new in Windows Server 2025?

Windows Server 2025 was officially released on November 1, 2024, bringing several exciting updates. Here are some of the key highlights:

• Desktop Shell: The first time you sign in, the desktop shell adopts the sleek look and feel of Windows 11, offering a modern and familiar user interface.
• Bluetooth Support: Windows Server 2025 now includes Bluetooth functionality, making it easy to connect and pair devices like mice, keyboards, headsets, and audio devices.
• DTrace Integration: DTrace is now a native tool in Windows Server 2025, providing a powerful command-line utility for real-time system performance monitoring and troubleshooting.
• Email & Accounts: You can now manage Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft accounts, and Work or School accounts directly in Windows Settings under Accounts > Email & Accounts. However, note that domain joining remains necessary for most configurations.

If you'd like to experience all these wonderful features, you may make a Windows Server 2025 Media Creation Tool to install Server 2025 on a compatible device.

Concluding Words

In this write-up, we have covered how to enable shadow copies on Windows Server 2019. We have also provided you with a reliable alternative solution for backing up files in Windows Server 2019 with the help of AOMEI Backupper.

This freeware helps to overcome some difficulties caused by VSS in terms of data recovery. In addition, AOMEI Backupper also provides automatic backup and multiple backup destinations to help you complete Windows Server 2019 backup more easily.

FAQs about Shadow Copies in Windows Server 2019

Q 1: How often should I create Shadow Copies in Windows Server 2019?

A 1: It depends on the volume of changes to your files. Typically, twice a day is sufficient, but if you deal with critical data that changes frequently, you might want to increase the frequency.

Q 2: Can I restore Shadow Copies if they are accidentally deleted?

A 2: Unfortunately, once a Shadow Copy is deleted, it cannot be restored. Make sure to allocate enough storage to prevent automatic deletion due to lack of space.

Q 3: How much disk space should I allocate for Shadow Copies?

A 3: It depends on the size of the files and how often changes occur. A good starting point is 10% of the volume's total capacity, but you can adjust it based on your needs.

Top Tips for Managing Shadow Copies in Windows Server

1. Allocate Sufficient Storage: Always monitor and manage storage allocation to prevent Shadow Copies from being automatically deleted.
2. Create a Consistent Schedule: Regularly scheduled snapshots to ensure that your most critical data is always protected and can be easily restored.
3. Combined with Regular Backups: While Shadow Copies provide quick file recovery, using them alongside full backups ensures maximum data protection.