FAQ and Knowledge Base

Now you can copy and backup open files and databases with ViceVersa PRO. This includes Outlook files, Quicken databases, open SQL databases, documents, etc. ViceVersa PRO is now fully integrated with the Volume Shadow Service (VSS) on Windows XP (all editions), Windows Server 2003 (all editions), Windows Server 2008 (all editions), Windows Server 2012 / 2016 / 2019 / 2022 / 2025 (all editions), Windows Vista (all editions), Windows 7 (all editions), Windows 8 / 8.1 (all editions) and Windows 10 / 11 (all editions).

You can activate VSS under Profile Settings->Advanced Settings.

How It Works

• Before starting a new file copy operation ViceVersa calls the Volume Shadow Service (VSS) and requests the creation of a Volume (=Disk) Shadow Copy for the files to be copied. This is not a full copy of the entire disk, but a differential copy. Hence, its creation will take only a few seconds.

• Once the Volume Shadow Copy is available, ViceVersa uses it to access the files to be copied.

• Finally, ViceVersa releases the Volume Shadow Copy.

Advantages

• By using the Volume Shadow Copy ViceVersa can access and copy files even when they are open, locked or in-use.

• You can change and work on your files while ViceVersa is copying them. ViceVersa uses the Shadow Copy to access the files, so it will never interfere with your work.

Disadvantages

• It takes a few seconds to create the Volume Shadow Copy before file copying can start. However, you can set ViceVersa to create the shadow copy only if there are in-use / locked files.

Limitations

• Works on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 (all editions), Windows Server 2008 (all editions), Windows Server 2012 / 2016 / 2019 / 2022 / 2025 (all editions), Windows Vista (all editions), Windows 7 (all editions), Windows 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11 (all editions) or newer.

• At least one NTFS volume needs to be present locally.

• The file being copied must be on a local disk, not on a network disk.

• The account running ViceVersa must have administrator access rights or backup privileges (e.g. member of the Backup Operators group).

• On Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025 or newer, if User Account Control is enabled, ViceVersa must be running with elevated privileges (i.e. use the Windows 'Run as Administrator' command). When running from VVScheduler, VVLauncher or VVEngine, they must be running with elevated privileges.

• Volume Shadow Copies are not possible for CD/DVDs.

Trouble-shooting

• If you get the message "Can not create shadow copy, access is denied", it is most likely that the account running ViceVersa PRO does not have backup / restore privileges and cannot create shadow copies. On Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025  or newer, ViceVersa PRO must be running with elevated privileges (i.e. use the Windows 'Run as Administrator' command) to use the Volume Shadow Copy feature. When running from VVScheduler, VVLauncher or VVEngine, they must be running with elevated privileges.

• Make sure that the Windows Shadow Service is enabled (normally it is already enabled in default installations) or ViceVersa will report an error.

Note: This new feature is integrated in ViceVersa PRO 2 or later. It can be activated in the profile settings. It does not require any additional plug-ins.