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How to Fix “Disk Management Could Not Start Virtual Disk Service” Error in Windows 11

If you are trying to open Disk Management on Windows 11 and see the error message “Disk Management could not start Virtual Disk Service”, it means the service responsible for managing disks is not running properly. This error prevents you from managing your drives and partitions effectively.

Fixing this issue is usually straightforward and involves restarting or configuring the Virtual Disk Service correctly. You do not need advanced technical skills to follow the steps below.

This guide will walk you through simple and detailed steps to resolve the error, helping you get Disk Management working again.

By following the instructions carefully, you can fix the problem without risking your data or system stability.

Quick Note Before You Begin

  • Make sure you are logged in as an Administrator on your Windows 11 PC. Administrative rights are essential to start or configure system services.
  • Check if your system is up to date by running Windows Update. Sometimes, missing updates can cause service issues.
  • If you recently installed new software or made system changes, consider if those might have affected the Virtual Disk Service.
  • Always back up important data before making changes to system services or disk configurations to avoid data loss.

Step 1: Restart the Virtual Disk Service Manually

The Virtual Disk Service (VDS) is a Windows service that manages disk-related tasks. If it is stopped or stuck, Disk Management won’t work. Restarting it often fixes the problem.

  1. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter. This opens the Services window, where all Windows services are listed.
  3. Scroll down and find Virtual Disk in the list.
  4. Right-click on Virtual Disk and select Properties.
  5. In the Properties window, check the Service status. If it says Stopped, click the Start button to run it.
  6. If it is running, click Stop, wait a few seconds, then click Start again to restart the service.
  7. Set the Startup type to Automatic so the service will start automatically every time your PC boots.
  8. Click Apply and then OK.
  9. Try opening Disk Management again to see if the error is resolved.

Step 2: Check Dependencies of the Virtual Disk Service

Services in Windows sometimes depend on other services to run properly. If the services that Virtual Disk depends on are not running, it can cause errors.

  1. Open the Services window again by pressing Windows + R, typing services.msc, and pressing Enter.
  2. Right-click on Virtual Disk and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Dependencies tab.
  4. Here you will see a list of services that Virtual Disk depends on, such as Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and DCOM Server Process Launcher.
  5. Go back to the main Services list and ensure that these dependency services are running and set to Automatic startup.
  6. If any dependency is stopped, right-click it, select Start, and set the startup type to Automatic.
  7. Once all dependencies are running, restart the Virtual Disk service as explained in Step 1.
  8. Check Disk Management again.

Step 3: Use Command Prompt to Fix the Service

Sometimes, services might face permission or corruption issues. Using Command Prompt with administrative rights can help reset and fix these problems.

  1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, then right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
sc config vds start= auto
net start vds

Explanation:

  • sc config vds start= auto sets the Virtual Disk Service startup type to Automatic.
  • net start vds attempts to start the Virtual Disk Service immediately.

After running these commands, try opening Disk Management again.

Step 4: Run System File Checker (SFC) Scan

If the problem persists, it may be due to corrupted system files affecting the Virtual Disk Service. The System File Checker tool can scan and repair these files.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (as shown in Step 3).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow

This process will scan the entire system for corrupted or missing files and attempt to fix them. It may take some time, so please be patient.

Once the scan completes, restart your computer and check if Disk Management opens without error.

Alternative Method: Using DISM Tool

If SFC does not fix the problem, using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool can repair the Windows image, which may help fix service issues.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Type this command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for the process to complete (this can take some time). After it finishes, restart your computer and check the Disk Management.

FAQs

Why does the Virtual Disk Service fail to start?

This can happen due to service corruption, disabled startup settings, dependency services not running, or system file errors.

Can I safely change the Virtual Disk service startup type?

Yes, setting it to Automatic ensures the service starts with Windows, which is necessary for Disk Management to work properly.

Will restarting the Virtual Disk Service cause data loss?

No, restarting the service affects only the service itself and will not impact your data or disks.

What if the service cannot be started even after these steps?

There might be deeper system issues or permission problems. Advanced troubleshooting or professional help might be needed.

Can third-party software cause this error?

Sometimes, security or disk management tools can interfere with Windows services. Temporarily disabling such software can help identify if they are the cause.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions fix the error, consider the following options:

  • Create a new user account with administrative rights and see if the problem persists there. Sometimes user profile corruption can cause service issues.
  • Perform a System Restore to a point where Disk Management was working correctly, if available.
  • Use Windows Recovery Options to repair or reset your installation without losing files.
  • Visit the official Microsoft Support website for more advanced help and tools.

Conclusion

The “Disk Management could not start Virtual Disk Service” error in Windows 11 usually results from the service being stopped, misconfigured, or blocked by dependency issues. By restarting the service, verifying dependencies, and using system tools like SFC and DISM, most users can resolve this problem quickly and safely.

Remember to always run services with the correct startup settings and keep your system updated to prevent similar issues in the future. If all else fails, Windows recovery tools and official support can guide you through advanced fixes.

Following this step-by-step guide will help you regain full access to Disk Management and maintain control over your drives and partitions.

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