What is the 'System Volume Information' folder, and can this folder be deleted?

On Windows drives, even external USB drives, you will see a folder called System Volume Information. And you will only see this folder if you set hidden files and folders on the system only. So what is the 'System Volume Information' folder, and can this folder be deleted? The answer will be in the following article of Network Administration.

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1. Why can't the folder be opened?

On NTFS-formatted file systems, the System Volume Information folder is set up to prevent all users from accessing, even Admin. When you double-click the folder and the screen will display an error message saying " location is not available " and " access is denied ". This is quite normal.

The reason is because Windows uses this directory for the " advanced " features of the system. Directory permissions are set to prevent all users, not allowing users to access internal files and interfere with important system functions.

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2. Customize the System Volume Information folder

In addition to some important settings, Windows also stores System Restore points in this folder.

If you want to minimize the System Volume Information folder, you can do it on the Control Panel. Access Control Panel => System and Security => System => System Protection . At the Protection Settings section, you can choose whether to enable System Restore and adjust the Windows drive space for system restore points (System Restore points).

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System Protection can only be disabled for one drive, not actually deleting the System Volume Information folder. Windows stores multiple restore points here.

For example, the System Volume Information folder also contains the information used by Indexing Service index database service - speed up the search for files, Volume Shadow Copy services for backups and databases. Distributed Link Tracking Service service is used to fix shortcuts and links.

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If your drive format exFAT or FAT32 file system or portable hard drive (USB drive, .), you can open the System Volume Information folder and view the files in that folder.

For example, on a USB drive you can see two files, IndexerVolumeGuid and WPSettings.dat .

IndexerVolumeGuid file assigns a unique identifier to this drive. The Windows Indexing service index service checks files on the drive and indexes these files. When you connect this drive to the computer, Windows checks the identifier and will know which database you are looking for in relation to which drive.

You can also use the Windows search feature, such as the Search pane on Start Menu , Cortana on Windows 10, or the Search frame on File Explorer or Windows Explorer to find files on the drive quickly.

WPSettings.dat is a file created by the Windows service but is not sure what the task of this file is. There is no official document for this file yet.

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3. Can I delete the System Volume Information folder?

You should not delete the System Volume Information folder. On NTFS formatted drives, Windows does not allow users to access this folder. On drives in exFAT or FAT32 format, you can choose to delete the folder but Windows will "create" that folder in the future if necessary.

Windows stores important system data in the System Volume Information folder, so you should not change the permissions of the directory or delete the directory.

If the System Volume Information folder takes up too much free space, then you can reduce the space for System Restore on Windows. Or if you don't want to see the System Volume Information folder, you can hide those files and folders.

Refer to the steps to hide, show files, folders on Windows 10/8/7 here.

Refer to some of the following articles:

1. Adjust screen resolution on Windows 10/8/7

1. 8 "tweak" Windows Group Policy any Admin should know

1. Instructions on how to activate the Admin account or reset the Admin account password

Good luck!