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Forum FAQ: VSS System Writer is missing.

Discussion Forum FAQ: VSS System Writer is missing.

  • Monday, February 22, 2010 8:06 AM
     
     
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    Symptom

    System state backup failed with the following error message:

    "System writer is not found"

     

    In addition, when you run the “Vssadmin list writers” command to display VSS writers on the system, the System Writer is missing.

     

    Cause

    The system writer fails due to the fact that the trusted installer & system accounts are missing permissions to files in the directory %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\.

     

    Resolution

     

    To resolve this issue, please run the following commands from an administrative elevated Command Window:

     

    CD c:\windows\system32

    Takeown /f %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\* /a

    icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\*.* /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(RX)"

    icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\*.* /grant "NT Service\trustedinstaller:(F)"

    icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\*.* /grant "BUILTIN\Users:(RX)"

     

    Applies to

     

    Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008

     

All Replies

  • Wednesday, September 29, 2010 10:55 PM
     
     
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    Hi,

     

    I have an issue where I am missing the system writer on on my Win2k3 box.  I ran the above commands and I get, "System cannot find the file path specified."  i.e there is no filemaps folder. 

     

    Please help. 

    Thanks

     
  • Sunday, March 13, 2011 4:46 PM
     
     
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    Hi,

    Please try to run the following cmd's for windows 2003 server

    net stop cryptsvc

    net start cryptsvc

    Please let us know if you face any issue. this will list System writer for a 2003 server

    Thanks

     
  • Wednesday, August 10, 2011 1:37 PM
     
     
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    Thanks! I had the same issue on a Win2k box and I fixed it using your suggestion. 

    One thing, after restarting the Cryptographic Services service I had to restart the Windows Management Instrumentation also as the WMI Writer was now missing :)

     

    Thanks again!!

     
  • Thursday, July 19, 2012 2:25 PM
     
     
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    Hi!

    What can I do, if the folder %windir%\winsxs\filemaps is missing on my 2003 Server?

    I have the exact problem described above, but browsing through the folder WinSxS, I cannot find the filemaps folder...

    Freddy

     
  • Tuesday, July 24, 2012 8:51 PM
     
     
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    I have the same issue, no filemaps folder. Does anyone have a solution for this?

    -NerdyCrook