a previous version of the file or folder at a specific point in time
a snapshot copy of a disk volume that represents a consistent read-only point in time for that volume
A point-in-time copy of files and folders that are stored on the DPM server. Shadow copies are sometimes referred to as snapshots.
A shadow copy is a high fidelity point–in–time copy of the original data. In the Windows environment, shadow copies are created using the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS); third party applications can create shadow copies also.
In a generic sense, shadow copy refers to an identical instance of an entity created for the purpose of backup. In the context of electronics used for computing, it refers to a technique of maintaining two copies of a datum being manipulated--one in the high speed storage access area and another in a comparatively slower one. This is done in anticipation of a need for accessing the same datum for reading or modification in a short time span.