How to Use Windows Server Backup and Its Alternatives in 2024

Are you looking for a comprehensive Windows Server backup guide? Well, you've come to the right place. On this page, we'll provide you with a complete guide to help you successfully install and back up your Windows Server.

Windows Server Backup is a feature provided by Microsoft for creating and managing backups in the Windows Server operating system. It offers a basic backup solution for system administrators, enabling the protection of server data, system state, and specific files and volumes. The tool supports scheduled backups, incremental backups, differential backups, and full backups. With Windows Server Backup, users can back up the entire system or selectively back up individual files, folders, disks, or application data. Furthermore, it provides recovery options to address data loss or system failures.

Windows Server Backup, abbreviated as WSB, is a backup and recovery feature in the Windows Server system. It provides Windows Server users with an option for data backup, enabling the creation of successful backup images on server computers, thereby protecting business content from disaster impacts.

Windows Server Backup is available in Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2008, and more.

So how do you install and use Windows Server Backup on your server computer? Let's get started with the following guide.

How to Install Windows Server Backup

Step 1: Launch Server Manager, click on “Manage” in the top right corner, and then click “Add Roles and Features.”

Step 2: In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, click Features, select Windows Server Backup, and then click Next.

Step 3: Click “Install” in the confirmation window.

At this point, you have successfully installed Windows Server Backup, and you can use its features to begin backing up content on your Windows Server computer.

How to Use Windows Server Backup to Back Up Windows Server Windows Server Backup is a powerful built-in tool in the Windows Server operating system designed for server backup operations. Here's how to use Windows Server Backup to back up your Windows Server: 1. **Enable Windows Server Backup** - Open "Server Manager" and click on the "Tools" menu, then select "Windows Server Backup." - If the feature is not installed, go to the "Manage" menu, choose "Add Roles and Features," and include "Windows Server Backup" in the wizard. 2. **Configure Backup Settings** - In the Windows Server Backup window, click "Backup Once." - In the "Backup Configuration" window, choose "Backup Schedule" to create recurring backups or "One-time Backup" for a single backup operation. - Next, select the server volumes or specific files and folders you want to back up. 3. **Choose a Backup Destination** - Decide where you want to save your backup data, which can be a local hard drive, a network share, or another storage device. - Ensure that you have enough space to store the backup. 4. **Set Backup Timing** - Set the time and frequency for your backups based on your needs. You can choose daily, weekly, or monthly backups. - It's best to schedule backups during periods of low system activity to minimize disruption. 5. **Confirm and Run the Backup** - Review your backup settings and click "Finish." This will initiate the initial backup process. - Do not shut down the computer or interrupt the network connection while the backup is running. 6. **Verify the Backup** - After the backup completes, check if it was successful. You can do this by using the "View Backup" option under the "Actions" menu. - Regularly verifying and testing the recovery process is crucial to ensure data integrity. Please note that these steps may vary depending on your specific Windows Server version and requirements. Consult official documentation or online resources for the most accurate guidance.

The following are some of the features of Windows Server Backup that you can use for server computer data backup:

• Backup plan
• One-time backup
• Restore backup
• Full server backup
• Custom volume or file backup

This article will show you how to back up the contents of a Windows server with the following steps.

Step 1: Type wbadmin.msc in the Search box, and then open Windows Server Backup.

Step 2: In the Windows Server Backup window, click Local Backup, and then click One-time backup.

Step 3: Click “Next” in the “Start” window.

Step 4: Click on Select backup configuration, and then click on Full server. Click Next to proceed.

Step 5: Select "Save as type," and then choose the location where you want to save your backup, for example:

• Back up to a disk that is dedicated for backups
• Back up to a volume
• Back up to a shared network folder

Click “Next” to continue.

Step 6: Click OK to confirm, then click Finish in the confirmation window.

In addition to backing up the entire server, you can select specific disks or partitions on the server computer to back up in the Items to Back Up section:

To create a scheduled backup by using Windows Server Backup, click Specify backup schedule, and then set the schedule.

Windows Server Backup Limitations and Recommended Alternatives

Here are some limitations of Windows Server Backup that you should be aware of:

• No support for virtual disk backups.
• Support for Hyper-V is present, but VMware and other virtualization platforms are not fully supported.
• Backups can be stored on a network shared drive only.

Are there any alternative solutions that can efficiently replace Windows Server Backup, allowing you the flexibility to back up anything within your Windows Server, including applications, settings, and so on, while adhering to these limitations?

Of course! Third-party Windows Server backup software is professional and powerful. Here, we recommend a reliable tool - Todo PCTrans Technician, which can back up your Windows Server for free.

Backup Windows Server with Todo PCTrans Technician Tool

Todo PCTrans Technician is a basic file and app migration tool that lets you:

• Transfer Files from Windows Server to Another Server
• Clean up the System C Drive
• Migrate User Profiles to a New Server
• Find and Save Windows and Installer Product Keys

Aside from these, you can also use its backup and restore feature to back up data, applications, and even accounts and settings in your Windows Server for free.

Step 1: Create a backup file.

1. Connect the USB (flash) drive/external hard drive to the source computer. Launch Todo PCTrans, and on the main screen, click Backup & Restore > Start.

2. Tap "Data Backup" to continue.

Transfer files via Backup and Restore – Step 2

3. Hover over the “Apps,” “Files,” and “Accounts” sections, select the specific data, apps, etc. that you want, and click “Backup” to create the backup file.

Transfer files via Backup and Restore – Step 3

Step 2. Restore from the backup file you just created

1. Insert the USB drive with the backup file into the target computer.

Make sure Todo PCTrans is installed on the target computer. Open PCTransImage and double-click the backup file. If not, install the tool by clicking PCTrans_setup.exe.

Transfer PC files via Backup and Restore – Step 1

2. Now, you can select the app/file/account that you want to restore. Tap on “Restore.”

Transfer files from the image - Step 2

3. Wait a moment, then click “OK” to complete the restore process.

Conclusions

On this page, we provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to install and use Windows Server Backup or alternative software to back up the entire Windows Server to a local hard drive. Both methods can successfully execute server computer backups, and you need to choose and follow the appropriate solution for assistance.

If you want to back up parts or all of the contents on your server computer, choose the “Select Items to Back Up” option for assistance. If you plan on transferring significant data, applications, or even accounts and settings from your server computer, the Todo PCTrans Technician tool is what you need. Click on the button below to learn more about this handy software:

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