What does Windows error code 4500 (ERROR_VOLUME_NOT_SIS_ENABLED) mean?

ERROR_VOLUME_NOT_SIS_ENABLED

Single Instance Storage is not available on this volume.

ERROR_VOLUME_NOT_SIS_ENABLED is Win32 error 4500 (0x1194) and belongs to Single-Instance Storage volume capability.

Where the result appears

• SIS backup APIs operating on a volume.
• FSCTL_SIS_COPYFILE or SIS-aware restore.
• Legacy storage server deduplication workflows.
• Backup software preserving SIS links and common-store files.

Likely causes

• the target volume does not have the SIS filter and common store enabled.
• data was restored to an ordinary NTFS volume.
• the SIS feature was removed or never installed.
• software assumed modern deduplication and legacy SIS were interchangeable.

Troubleshooting steps

• Record volume GUID, filesystem, and SIS feature state.
• Record reparse tags on source files.
• Record availability of the SIS common store.
• Record backup metadata describing SIS links.
• Record target server role and supported features.

What to verify

Verify whether the target volume does not have the SIS filter and common store enabled. Check volume GUID, filesystem, and SIS feature state together with reparse tags on source files.

Handling, retry, and recovery

Use a SIS-enabled target when the workflow requires SIS semantics, or restore ordinary independent files through a supported conversion path. Do not manufacture SIS reparse points on an unprepared volume.

Difference from nearby codes

SIS is a legacy single-instance technology and is not the same feature as current Windows Server Data Deduplication.

Practical example

A SIS-aware backup is restored to generic NTFS.

References

• Microsoft: System Error Codes (4000–5999) — reference for error 4500.
• Microsoft: Single-Instance Store and SIS Backup — reference for error 4500.
• Microsoft: SIS links and reparse points — reference for error 4500.