WINDOWS SERVICE
vds: Virtual Disk
Provides management services for disks, volumes, file systems and storage arrays.
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
| Service name | vds |
|---|---|
| Display name | Virtual Disk |
| Runs from | C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe |
| Command line | vds.exe |
| Runs as | LocalSystem |
| Signed by | Microsoft Windows |
| Verdict | Leave it alone |
| Microsoft, Windows Server 2016 guidance | No guidance |
Paths, signer and service account observed on Windows 11 build 26300 on 12 November 2026. Run the commands below to check your own PC.
Should you touch it?
Leave it aloneNeither of Microsoft's lists gives a recommendation to disable it. Both give Manual as its default startup type; on the PC used for this page it was set to Automatic and running. Microsoft notes that the Virtual Disk Service programming interface has been superseded by the Storage Management API since Windows 8.
What PC Tweaker does with it
PC Tweaker does not change this service. No control in the catalogue stops it, disables it or edits its start type.
Check it yourself
See its state and start type
PowerShellGet-Service vds | Format-List Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType sc qc vds
Common questions
What is a Virtual Disk Service error?
It is a failure reported by this service. Microsoft documents one case: creating a partition with the Disk Management console or DiskPart.exe fails with Virtual Disk Service error: The operation timed out. Before anything else, check that the service is present and not disabled: Get-Service vds | Select-Object Status, StartType.
What does the vds service do?
Provides management services for disks, volumes, file systems and storage arrays. It runs C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (vds.exe) as LocalSystem.
Can I disable vds?
Leave it alone. Neither of Microsoft's lists gives a recommendation to disable it. Both give Manual as its default startup type; on the PC used for this page it was set to Automatic and running. Microsoft notes that the Virtual Disk Service programming interface has been superseded by the Storage Management API since Windows 8.
How do I check that it is the real service?
On Windows 11 build 26300 the service runs C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe as LocalSystem, and the file carries a valid Microsoft Windows signature. It depends on RpcSs.