All system restore points constantly deleted with VSS services/volsnap errors

I think your best bet is to use a full Reset and to be careful what you install.

Hi, Rob,

I've spent all of today doing a full Reset of Win 8.1 and most applications, and haven't run any Registry Cleaners. So  far, I've lost the previous  Volume Shadow Copy errors, but get a Warning:

"Volume Shadow Copy Service warning: VSS was denied access to the root of volume \?\Volume{75f95e61-7c4b-11e3-824c-d43d7ef2db11}. Denying administrators from accessing volume roots can cause many unexpected failures, and will prevent VSS from functioning properly.  Check security on the volume, and try the operation again."

Operation:

Removing auto-release shadow copies

Loading provider

Context:

Execution Context: System Provider"

Have had this 5 times in the last 2 h. Any ideas? I've seen a method that is meant to get rid of these where you specify the drive. Since I don't know the drive, I suppose I repeat it for each one?

Windows 8.1 built-in System Image programs are useful to know about.

How to create a system image to refresh your Windows 8 PC

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2748351

How to create a custom refresh image in Windows 8

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/create-custom-refresh-image-in-windows-8/

Thanks for these - I've stashed them away for after I do a complete re-install

You can also make a Recovery USB drive.

How to Create a Recovery USB Flash Drive in Windows 8 and 8.1

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

O

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Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!

In this part, Rob,

A recovery USB flash drive cannot be used to install Windows 8unless this is an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, and you checked the Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drivebox at step 5 below.

This is the problem lots of people have - the manufacturers no longer bother to install the recovery partition. And the method described by MS to make your own doesn't work - it just makes a directory which can't be used to make the disk (dozens of threads on Google about this and I've tried it myself several times).  My  question is, in my reinstall, can I set up the partition that the manufacturer should have done? Do any of the other links you gave me allow this? otherwise it's not possible to make the recovery disk, only copy some repair tools to it

Hi,

2. Vista, Windows 7, & 8/8.1 all have enhanced methods of caching which help to keep performance

at a high level. Cleaning out a few lines of code or even hundreds does nothing when the Registry

is GB in size. And worse Registry Cleaners usually remove entries that are needed. That removal causes

strange issues to even total system failure. These forums have thousands and thousands of examples

where issues were caused by Registry Cleaners or their other name of System Optimizers.

Microsoft says,

"The Windows‌ registry is a database that lists all of the configuration settings that determine how Windows looks and behaves. Sometimes, settings that are no longer needed will remain in the registry in case they're ever needed again. There's nothing unusual about this, and this data is small in size."

Why I don't use Registry Cleaners

http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2005/04/why-i-dont-use-registry-cleaners/

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1. Make your own disk to re-install Windows 8.1 or re-install 8.0 and update again to 8.1.

Download Windows 8.1 ISO Using your Windows 8.0 Key

http://mcakins.com/2013/10/19/download-windows-8-1-iso-using-you-windows-8-0-key/

Download Windows 8.1 iso

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/download-windows-8-1-iso/

Download the Windows 8.1 ISO using a Windows 8 key and some simple trickery

http://betanews.com/2013/10/21/download-the-windows-8-1-iso-using-a-windows-8-key-and-some-simple-trickery/

You can also make a Recovery USB drive.

How to Create a Recovery USB Flash Drive in Windows 8 and 8.1

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

On Nov. 15, 2013 Windows 8.1 Back-up Media will be available for purchase. Newegg and

others will be offering the disc,

Windows 8.1 'Back-up Media' disc available to buy soon

http://betanews.com/2013/11/05/windows-8-1-back-up-media-disc-available-to-buy-soon/

Hope this helps.

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!

Hi Rob,

2 last points for when I do a complete new install.

1. The computer, as supplied by the manufacturer, can't create a CD with the recovery image, as the manufacturer has not made a partition and installed it. If I try the MS method to make a partition, it makes a directory, and the option to include this on the CD is greyed out. Many people seem to have this problem, as the manufacturers now tend not to do this. If I start from scratch, can I make this partition and install the recovery option? And how?
2. Reg cleaners - why do you say they are not needed in Vista, and win7/8? I like to know the reason for something, rather than just accept it :-)

Thanks for all the help