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What is vds.exe & How to Start or Stop it?
Restart the service to perform disk-related tasks
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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You may have encountered a vds.exe process running in the Task Manager, and unlike other processes, it may not disclose what it is or what program it belongs to. It may have prompted you to go online and learn more about it and whether you should keep it running. Hence, here you are.
This article will discuss the meaning of vds.exe and whether you should stop or start it if it’s not running.
Moreover, antivirus software is sometimes known to block harmless .exe files like vds.exe. So, find out what to do when anantivirus is blocking .exe files.
What is vds.exe?
The vds.exe, for Virtual Disk Service, is an executable file part of the Virtual Disk Service (VDS) process in the Microsoft Windows Operating System.
The Virtual Disk Service (VDS) is a Windows service that provides a framework for managing virtual disks, such as software-based RAID arrays, dynamic disks, and other storage solutions.
It allows you to create and manage volumes,extend or shrink partitions, initialize disks, and perform other disk-related operations.
No, you don’t need to stop the vds.exe process, as it is necessary to function certain disk-related operations in Windows properly. It provides a framework for organizing andmanaging storage spaceson your computer.
Stopping or disabling the process could prevent you from performing certain disk-related tasks, such as creating, resizing, or formatting disks.
If you’re not actively performing disk-related tasks or using features that depend on the Virtual Disk Service (VDS), the VDS process might not be running actively and could remain idle.
If you are worried about the file’s legitimacy, you can verify its location. The vds.exe file is typically found in the following directory on a Windows system:C:\Windows\System32
How do I start vds.exe?
1. Enable Virtual Disk Services Manually
You can easily start the vds.exe process by configuring the properties from the underlying service through theServices console. Besides, if you want to stop the process, disabling the service will do the trick.
2. Start the Virtual Disk service from Command Prompt
Another way to start vds.exe is via the Command Prompt, a built-in utility that allows users to make complex changes within seconds.
Here are sometop disk management tools for Windowsthat can help you in tasks such as creating, resizing, renaming, and deleting partitions, as well as optimizing your PC.
Please feel free to share any information, tips, or personal experiences about the file in the comments section below.
More about the topics:disk management,Windows 11
Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and she fell in love with tech of all sorts.
Whenever she’s not at her work desk, you’ll find her enjoying refreshing tea flavors, spilling stories on paper, and listening to the radio.
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Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a tech enthusiast who tackles mobility, privacy, and networking in easy-to follow guides for everyone.
