What does HRESULT 0x8004231E (VSS_E_MAXIMUM_DIFFAREA_ASSOCIATIONS_REACHED) mean?

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Description:

Maximum number of shadow copy storage associations already reached.

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VSS_E_VOLUME_IN_USE	VSS_E_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE

VSS_E_MAXIMUM_DIFFAREA_ASSOCIATIONS_REACHED

VSS_E_MAXIMUM_DIFFAREA_ASSOCIATIONS_REACHED Windows has reached the limit for shadow-copy storage associations. A VSS storage association maps a protected volume to the volume that supplies its diff area.

What to check

Inventory existing associations and snapshots before creating another one.
Remove only obsolete backup snapshots according to the retention policy; do not remove recovery points that are still required.
Review the backup design so it reuses appropriate associations instead of creating an unnecessary new mapping for every job.

vssadmin list shadowstorage

vssadmin list shadows

Microsoft: vssadmin list shadowstorage

Microsoft: vssadmin list shadows

Microsoft: Volume Shadow Copy Service

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