Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) cache files (snapshots) consume large amounts of shadow copy space on the System Volume Information directory

Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) cache files (snapshots) consume large amounts of shadow copy space on the System Volume Information directory.

Symptoms

Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) cache files (snapshots) consume large amounts of shadow copy space on the System Volume Information directory.

Causes

The Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) cache files (that is, snapshots) use large amounts of shadow copy space in the System Volume Information directory if the directory's storage area size is set to no limit (UNBOUNDED). In this case, the cached files are not deleted automatically after the backup is complete.

Resolution

Change the amount of space that can be used to cache VSS snapshots from No limit to Use limit.

For information about calculating the appropriate Use limit value for your environment, refer to the Microsoft documentation.

Procedure

1. In Windows Explorer, right-click the volume where the cached files are stored, and then click Properties.
   The Properties dialog box appears.
2. On the Shadow Copies tab, click Settings. The Settings dialog box appears.
3. In the Storage area section, select Use limit, and then enter the amount of space that the shadow copy cache files can use.
4. Click OK.

Result

After you specify the space restrictions, cached files are removed automatically during future backups.