Enabling Microsoft SharePoint Services VSS Writer on SharePoint Control Nodes

To reconfigure a web front-end server to act as a SharePoint control node, enable the VSS writer, and then update the configuration of that node. See Updating SharePoint Control Node Configurations. A DPX node cannot operate as a SharePoint control node unless the VSS Writer is enabled.

For an existing front-end SharePoint node with a installation that needs to start operating as a SharePoint control node, manually enable VSS writer functionality for that front-end SharePoint node before making any SharePoint control node property updates.

Do not enable SharePoint Services VSS writer on a server, unless it will also act as a SharePoint control node. When reassigning a SharePoint server so that it no longer acts as a SharePoint control node, make sure to disable VSS writer functionality:

To manually enable (or disable) the VSS writer:

1. Navigate to the following system folder on the server:

%CommonProgramFiles%\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\12\BIN>

SharePoint Version	Path
SharePoint 2007	%CommonProgramFiles%\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\12\BIN>
SharePoint 2010	%CommonProgramFiles%\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\BIN>
SharePoint 2013	%CommonProgramFiles%\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\15\BIN>
SharePoint 2016	%CommonProgramFiles%\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\16\BIN>

Note. Enable (or disable) the VSS writer at the local command prompt. You cannot enable the VSS writer remotely.

1. At the prompt, enter the stsadm command as follows: stsadm -o registerwsswriter

   stsadm -o unregisterwsswriter

   The stsadm command, along with the -o operator and the registerwsswriter parameter will turn on the VSS functionality for that server. To turn off VSS functionality for that server, use the unregisterwsswriter parameter instead.

Note. For more information about the stsadm command, go to the appropriate directory location and enter stsadm at the command prompt.

1. After you have finished enabling (or disabling) the VSS writer for the SharePoint node group, update the configuration of that SharePoint control node in the management console, using the Edit Node panel.