How to Backup Windows Server 2016 [Step-by-Step Guide]

Do you want to back up Windows Server 2016? Data loss can occur due to various reasons, such as OS issues. Hence, it's essential to take necessary steps to back up your data.

There are two ways to back up Windows Server 2016 – one is by using Windows Server Backup, and the other is by using a reliable and efficient data recovery software. This article will delve into the details of how to back up Windows Server 2016.

Why Back Up Windows Server 2016?

Are you wondering why you need to back up Windows Server 2016? The answer is pretty simple. Data security is one of the most crucial aspects for users. For businesses, data loss can lead to disastrous consequences. Data loss can be caused by various reasons.

• For instance, you might experience power outages or hardware failures.
• Moreover, software upgrades or malfunctions can also lead to data loss.
• In some cases, human errors can result in substantial data loss.
• Regardless of the cause of data loss, you need to have a solution in place beforehand.
• Otherwise, you might end up feeling anxious and stressed. One solution you can seek is backup.

There is no need to worry when using server backup software. It is one of the safest ways to protect critical data. Windows servers are designed for enterprise environments, and thus such protection is even more necessary. You can also opt for data recovery. However, this requires a significant investment with no particular guarantee.

Backup Windows Server 2016 using the Windows Server Backup feature

One of the best ways to backup Windows Server 2016 is by using Windows Server Backup (WSB). WSB is a crucial server backup utility. However, it's essential to know more about this feature before proceeding.

What is Windows Server Backup? Windows Server Backup is an integrated backup solution included in the Microsoft Windows Server operating system. It provides a straightforward method to protect and restore data and system state on a server. This tool enables the creation of scheduled backups for both systems and files, ensuring that they can be recovered in case of data loss, hardware failure, or other catastrophic events. Windows Server Backup supports disk-to-disk backups and allows you to back up the entire system, specific volumes, files, and folders, as well as perform system state backups, which include critical components such as system files, the registry, services, and drivers. Additionally, it offers recovery options like restoring individual files or the entire system to its original location or to different hardware.

Windows Server Backup (WSB) is a crucial feature in the Windows operating system that provides backup and recovery options for users employing Windows Server. Before utilizing this functionality, you need to install it on your Windows Server first. With Windows Server Backup, you can back up specific files, folders, system state, individual volumes, or the entire server.

Windows Server Backup also makes it easy for users to recover data. You can easily restore files, folders, system state, specific applications, and volumes. In the event of a hard disk failure, you can choose bare-metal recovery.

This feature also enables you to manage backups of both remote and local computers. Microsoft introduced this feature to help anyone who needs Windows Server Backup.

In this article, we will delve into the details of how to use Windows Server Backup to back up your Windows Server 2016. Let's get started:

How to Install Windows Server Backup

Step 1: Open Server Manager. Click on “Manage,” and then click “Add Roles and Features.”

Step 2: Keep clicking “Next” until you get to the “Features” page. Scroll down in the “Features” section of the “Select Features” page, and you'll see the “Windows Server Backup” option.

Step 3: Select this option and click the Next button. You will be taken to the Confirm Installation Selections page.

Step 4: Click the "Install" button. Wait for the installation to complete.

After installation, you need to set up a backup schedule. You can choose from different backup options, including the entire server, files and folders, critical volumes, individual volumes, and system state. It is essential to select a specific backup schedule and proceed.

The steps to back up Windows Server 2016 are as follows: 1. Open the "Server Manager." 2. In the left-hand menu, click on "Tools" and then select "Backup." 3. If it's your first time using the backup feature, you might be prompted to configure it. Click "Configure Backup" to begin. 4. In the "Backup Configuration" wizard, choose the server roles you want to back up or select "Custom" to manually pick the items to back up. 5. Select the destination for your backups, such as a network share, external hard drive, or DVD. 6. Set up a backup schedule, including the frequency (daily, weekly, etc.) and specific times. 7. Review all settings, and if everything is correct, click "Finish" to create your backup policy. 8. After the policy is created, you can run an immediate manual backup to ensure all important data is saved. In the backup interface, click "Backup Now." 9. Once the backup is complete, the system will display a message indicating successful backup. Remember to regularly check and update your backup strategy to maintain data security. Please note that these are general instructions, and the specific interface and options may vary slightly depending on your server setup and version.

Here are the steps to follow for making a backup (in this article, we choose the “backup once” option):

Step 1: Launch Server Manager. Click on “Tools,” and then select “Windows Server Backup” from the drop-down menu. Wait for the Windows Server Backup program to open.

Step 2: You will see the Actions menu on the right. There are three options – Backup Schedule, Backup Now, and Restore & Schedule Backup. Choose the one you need.

Step 3: This will take you to the “Backup Options” page. Here, you will see two options – Scheduled Backup Option and Other Options. Select “Other Options” and click on the “Next” button.

Step 4. The next page is the Select Backup Configuration page, where you will see two options: Full Server and Custom.

Step 5: If you chose Full Server, the entire server will be backed up. On the other hand, Custom lets users choose which files or folders to back up.

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Step 6. Here, select the “Full Server” option. Click the “Next” button. The next page is the “Select Destination Type” page. You need to choose between a local disk and a remote shared folder.

Step 7: In this example, the "Local Disk" option was selected. Click the "Next" button.

Step 8: On the next page, the "Select backup destination" page, choose the drive you want to use for the backup. Click "Next." On the "Confirm" page, select the "Backup" option.

Now, wait for the backup to complete. This might take some time, depending on the size of the backup.

There's a video below that shows you how to install and use Windows Server Backup on Server 2016, if you're interested.

Timeline:

• 0:00 Start
• 0:36 Feature – Windows Server Backup
• 0:51 Completion of Windows Server Backup installation
• 0:58 Tool - Windows Server Backup

Utilizing the Software for Windows Server Backup 2016 in UTF-8 Encoding

Another way to backup Windows Server 2016 is to choose a professional software tool – Todo Backup Enterprise. This fantastic software enables you to back up Windows Server 2016 without any hassle.

This is a user-friendly software that offers a wide range of features. It offers several packages to choose from, allowing users to select the one that best suits their needs. These packages include Workstation, Server, Advanced Server, and Technician versions, each with different prices and functionalities.

Main Features:

• Safeguard for various business environments and sizes
• Different cost-effective packages available
• Reliable SQL Server backup software and Exchange backup tools
• Enterprise-level protection against various disasters
• Free trial with 24/7 technical support

How to Back Up Windows Server 2016 with Software

Are you looking to use backup and recovery software to back up Windows Server 2016? Are you wondering how to go about it? Worry not! We've got you covered.

Although the software is easy to use, you might still encounter problems. In that case, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch Todo Backup Enterprise and click "Create Task" to set up a new backup.

Click “Create new task” to create a backup.

Step 2: Choose "Disks/Volumes" as the target at the top. Then select the system you want to back up.

Select the system to back up

Step 3: Click “Browse” and choose the location where you want to save the backup file.

Select destination

< strong > Step 4 : To customize your backup settings, click on < strong > Scheduling: Off . You will see the options for < strong > Scheduling , < strong > Backup Cleanup , and < strong > Advanced Settings . Under < strong > Scheduling , click on < strong > New .

Then set the backup frequency as needed.

5. Click the “Backup Options” button in the bottom-left corner of the window.

Here, you can change the performance, encryption, email notifications, and other options as you wish. When you're done, click Save to return to the main screen.

Step 6. Once you have set everything up, click on "Start Backup" to begin the backup process.

Click “Start Backup” to begin the system backup.

Conclusions

Given that Windows Server 2016 is primarily used in an enterprise environment, backing up your server is of the essence. You don't want to lose data and cause havoc and other consequences. There are two different ways to go about it.

Firstly, you can choose Windows Server Backup, which is a great backup solution. Or, you can opt for professional software. If you're looking for reliable data backup software, Todo Backup Business could be a tool to consider.

It is one of the best backup software solutions out there. The software is easy to use and comes packed with features. You can even try it for free and choose a plan that suits your needs. What are you waiting for? Get Todo Backup Business now!

Frequently Asked Questions about Windows Server Backup 2016

This article provides an in-depth guide on various methods to back up Windows Server 2016. However, you can enhance your understanding by delving deeper into the subject. Explore the questions and answers below for additional knowledge.

How do I check my Windows Server 2016 backups?

• You need to go to the Control Panel to check the backup status of Windows Server 2016.
• It's advisable to select the server from the server list and proceed to the Backup and Archiving section.
• Click on the "Backup and Recovery Manager" option, and then inspect the server status.

How does Windows Server Backup work? Windows Server Backup is an integrated backup solution provided by Microsoft to protect data and system state on Windows servers. Here's a general overview of its working mechanism: 1. **Setting up a backup schedule**: First, an administrator configures a backup schedule, selecting the files, volumes, system state, or specific shared folders to be backed up. This can be done through the "Backup and Restore" Control Panel or via PowerShell command-line tools. 2. **Choosing a backup target**: Backup data can be stored locally on a hard drive, on a network share (such as a NAS or SMB share), or using the VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) format. 3. **Executing the backup**: According to the predefined schedule, Windows Server Backup initiates the backup process. It creates a snapshot, capturing the data at that specific point in time. For system state backups, it also includes the operating system, system settings, registry, system files, and other critical components. 4. **Data compression and optimization**: Backup data may be compressed to save storage space and undergo other optimizations, such as excluding unnecessary files or folders. 5. **Verifying the backup**: Upon completion, the system automatically verifies the backup's integrity to ensure that the data can be successfully restored. 6. **Restoring data**: When data needs to be recovered from the backup, an administrator can choose to restore the entire system, volumes, specific files, or folders. The recovery process can be a full system restore or incremental/differential recovery for individual files. Please note that the specific features of Windows Server Backup may vary depending on the different versions of Windows Server. In more advanced editions, additional options might be included, such as backing up to cloud storage or using backup agents.

It works similarly to any Windows backup. Windows Server Backup will back up all files or the files you select during the installation process. It will also look for incremental or full backups and work accordingly.

3. Can I back up Windows Server 2019?

Yes, you can use Windows Server Backup 2019 to back up Windows Server 2019. However, there are some differences between the 2016 and 2019 versions. In the 2019 edition, you have to choose to back up entire volumes; it doesn't support backing up individual folders separately.

4. What is a backup server?

A backup server refers to the process of enabling a backup of files, databases, data, applications, or an entire server on another server or external storage device.