Backup error: Details: Insufficient storage available to create either shadow copy storage file or other shadow copy data

Read the error messages and the event logs very carefully. It can be a bit obtuse as to what it is actually complaining about. Invariably it is not the backup destination which is too small but the source drive(s) The VSS writer service needs a minimum amount of space to initialise the snapshot so will fail is the source disk is too full.

A relatively well known problem arises from the size of the System Reserved partition because by default this can be as little as 100MB. The base bootmgr file is OK but if the language pack is added it reduces the free space to below a level where VSS cannot work. A simple check is to exclude system reserved from the backup and see if it will complete.

Hi Davidvc,

1.     Do you have any third party backup software installed on the computer?

2.     Do you have any security software installed on the computer?

3.     Have you made any recent changes on the computer?

4.     When was the last time it was working fine?

Method 1

This could be Volume Shadow Copy service and SPP services are not started.

To restart the Volume Shadow Copy service and SPP services

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

a)     Open Administrative Tools by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Administrative Tools.

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

c)     If the SPP service is disabled, double-click it to open the service properties.

d)     If Volume Shadow Copy service is double-click it to open the service properties

e)     Click the Startup type list, click Automatic (Delayed Start), and then click Apply.

f)      Under Service status, click Start.

Method 2

If the above step fails then uninstall any third party backup software installed on the computer and check if the issue persists.

Hi Halima S.,

Thank you for your response to my query.I tried method 1 and 2you suggested but still the problem persists with the same error message as above. Any more suggestion?

I am trying to backup my files to an external drive (Omega brand) which work at first. But in my next backup schedule it wont and it gives this error message: Shadow copy could not be created please check "VSS" and "SPP". It further says that in order to backup I must delete files in my external drive. My Hard drive is new and it's 500GB, I have not even used 10 % of it. My event viewer tells the same and it gave me an Event ID: 4100. I am using Windows 7 version: 6.1.7600.16385. Any help would be appreciated.

DavidVC

I am trying to backup my pc to an external hard 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. event ID: 4100. I'd appreciate any help.