have win 8 x64 IE10 I just found out that Microsoft software shadow copy provider in services (local) was NOT running and set to manual! In task manager VSS stopped! This can't be right does that mean all this time I have NOTHING on volume d!? isn't this supposed to be up and running with the computer on? And it's set on manual!? Help! And how could my recovery disks be any good?

y default on Windows 8/8.1 Volume Shadow Copy Service must be set to "Manual" and service will be stopped. There is no need to worry unless the VSS service is disabled. When backup triggers on computer the service will start running automatically.
On Windows 8 you can use File History for backup. File History is a backup application that continuously protects your personal files stored in Libraries, Desktop, Favorites, and Contacts folders. It periodically (by default every hour) scans the file system for changes and copies changed files to another location.
What’s happened to Backup and Restore?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/what-happened-to-backup-restore