Unable to delete Volume Shadow Copies from volume on HyperV host

Andy Duffield 1 Reputation point
2022-08-31T05:04:09+00:00

Hi,

I have a volume (H:) on a HyperV host which has 450Gb of Volume Shadow Copies on it, according to Treesize, inside 'System Volume Information'.

I have given my user permission to access the folder and have also disabled 'show system files' in explorer options.

However, when I try and delete the shadow copies (vssadmin delete shadows /for=h: /oldest), I get the following message:

"No Items found that satisfy the query"

Even though there are files in H:\System Volume Information

Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
1,571 questions
Windows Server Storage
Windows Server Storage
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Storage: The hardware and software system used to retain data for subsequent retrieval.
643 questions
Windows Server PowerShell
Windows Server PowerShell
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.PowerShell: A family of Microsoft task automation and configuration management frameworks consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language.
5,463 questions
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. SChalakov 10,371 Reputation points MVP
    2022-08-31T07:29:05.44+00:00

    Hi @Andy Duffield ,

    does this help:

    Huge VSS leftover
    https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2257019-huge-vss-leftover

    This is also an intersting approach:

    From:
    How can I delete corrupted Shadow Copy Files?
    https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/432568-how-can-i-delete-corrupted-shadow-copy-files

    Start an elevated commandline window
    Type in wmic and press enter
    wmic:root\cli is shown
    Type in shadowcopy which will list the current shadow copies
    Type in shadowcopy delete and confirm to delete the copies one after the other
    To leave the WMI commandline type exit

    ----------

    (If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)
    Regards
    Stoyan Chalakov

    0 comments No comments