How to use Windows 11 Volume Shadow Copy for backing up files

In the realm of data management, the importance of maintaining backups cannot be overstated, especially for those handling irreplaceable information. Among the various methods available, Windows 11 offers a lesser-known yet powerful feature known as Shadow Copy. This functionality not only creates backups of your files but also maintains a history, allowing users to revert to previous versions when necessary. For those who have noticed the “Previous Versions” tab in file properties but remained uncertain of its purpose, Shadow Copy is the key that unlocks this potential.

Setting up Shadow Copy in Task Scheduler

Accessing Shadow Copy isn’t as straightforward as navigating through the Windows interface. Instead, the Task Scheduler serves as the gateway to setting up regular backups. While manual backups are an option, they can easily be overlooked. Here’s a step-by-step guide to automate your backups using Shadow Copy:

1. Open the Start menu and type Task Scheduler, selecting the first result.
2. In the left pane, select Task Scheduler Library, right-click it, and choose New folder.
3. Name the folder something memorable, like My tasks.
4. Select the new folder, right-click it, and choose Create task.
5. Enter a name for your task in the Name field.
6. Check the option Run whether user is logged on or not, ensuring the Do not store password checkbox is unchecked.
7. Enable the Run with highest privileges checkbox.
8. Navigate to the Triggers tab and click New.
9. Set the Start dropdown to On a schedule and select your preferred frequency.
10. Click OK to save your trigger settings.
11. Switch to the Actions tab and click New.
12. Set the Action dropdown to Start a program.
13. In the Program/script field, enter wmic.
14. In the Add arguments (optional) field, input the following command, replacing C: with your desired drive letter:

    shadowcopy call create Volume="C:"

15. Click OK to finalize your action settings.
16. Finally, go to the Settings tab and ensure the following options are enabled:
    • Allow task to be run on demand
    • Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed
    • If the task fails, restart every
17. Click OK to complete the task creation process.
18. You will be prompted for the username and password of the account running the command. If using a Microsoft account, input that password instead of your Windows Hello PIN.
19. To initiate a backup immediately, right-click the task in your list and select Run.

With these configurations, Windows will automatically back up your files on the same drive as the originals, provided there is sufficient space for the shadow copies.

Recover files from Shadow Copy

Files backed up through Shadow Copy are stored in a hidden folder, accessible via the Previous Versions feature. To retrieve a previous version of a file, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the file in File Explorer and select Properties. If the file was deleted, right-click the parent directory instead to locate a version of the folder that contained the file.
2. Navigate to the Previous Versions tab.
3. A list of available backups will appear. Select the desired version and click Open to view it, or Restore to replace the current version.

Other ways to use Volume Shadow Copy

While the aforementioned method is a traditional approach to accessing Volume Shadow Copy, Windows also offers additional features that utilize similar technology. One such feature is System Restore, which automatically backs up system copies at regular intervals, allowing restoration in case of system failures. For further insights, previous discussions on System Restore can provide valuable context.

Alternatively, the File History feature serves a similar purpose, backing up previous versions of files, although it necessitates an external drive for activation on Windows 11.

Don’t lose access to your files

Shadow Copy has been a part of Windows for over two decades, and while it experienced a brief hiatus, it remains a robust feature in Windows 11. Although setting up Shadow Copy may not be the simplest method for file backups, it effectively serves its purpose and is free of charge. This backup method primarily safeguards against human errors, such as accidental deletions or modifications, but it does not protect against hardware failures or theft. For comprehensive security, consider maintaining additional backups of your files for peace of mind.