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Shadow Copy
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<p>Shadow Copy (also known as Volume Snapshot Service, Volume Shadow Copy Service or VSS) is a technology included in <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Microsoft Windows</a> that can create backup copies or <a href="/facts/Snapshot_(computer_storage)/LKm3NX2A">snapshots</a> of <a href="/facts/Computer_file/FjFH3Ufm">computer files</a> or <a href="/facts/Volume_(computing)/g94wpmdC">volumes</a>, even when <a href="/facts/File_locking/QektVCQs">they are in use</a>. It is implemented as a <a href="/facts/Windows_service/qzNquuK6">Windows service</a> called the <i>Volume Shadow Copy</i> service. A software <i>VSS provider</i> service is also included as part of Windows to be used by Windows applications. Shadow Copy technology requires either the Windows <a href="/facts/NTFS/dryNM3BK">NTFS</a> or <a href="/facts/ReFS/gHpwuexf">ReFS</a> filesystems in order to create and store shadow copies. Shadow Copies can be created on local and external (removable or network) volumes by any Windows component that uses this technology, such as when creating a scheduled <a href="/facts/Windows_Backup/A0FQmwMB">Windows Backup</a> or automatic <a href="/facts/System_Restore/1Qmw0C0y">System Restore</a> point. </p>