VSS Helper Service

[dbht]

What is the VSS Helper Service, and what is the significance of not installing it? Why has its installation been made optional?

I am aware of the advice concerning VSS error 80042306 at https://www.backupassist.com/support/en ... shid=BA904. I am suffering from that error, and it starts after the pc has been running for a while and appears in a couple of other cloning applications. I am looking for open file managers that may be installed that could be interfering with the VSS, and wonder whether the VSS Helper Service could be a candidate, or where else the problem may be originating.

[superflexible]

The VSS Helper Service is completely inactive unless you run a Syncovery profile. It cannot cause any problems with other apps when it is inactive.

Its only benefit is being able to use VSS without being an administrator.

The install is optional in newer Syncovery versions.

[dbht]

Thank you.

Are you saying that if logged-on as an administrator, Syncovery has no need of the VSS helper, and that if logged on otherwise than as an administrator it would not be able to use the VSS without the helper? It would not have occurred to me that the VSS would not be accessible to programs running while logged on otherwise than as an administrator.

[superflexible]

Yes, correct. And even if you are an admin, but are using a Windows version with UAC, it limits Syncovery and it can't use VSS unless you start it by right-clicking it and choosing "Run as administrator". That's why the VSS Helper Service was added.

[dbht]

Thank you for that. That leaves me with the impression that the helper is only about access to the VSS and does not provide any kind of open file management activity of its own that might clash with the VSS. So the helper could not be relevant to VSS error 80042306, and one may as well install the helper in every case.

Why a system should require the user to be an administrator before he may invoke the VSS I cannot immediately see. Is there a sensible answer to that?

[superflexible]

Hello,
yes correct, the VSS helper is only an interface between Syncovery to use the VSS API as an application.

I don't know why VSS requires admin rights.

[dbht]

Thanks for all your advice.