How to Back Up Windows Server 2016 to an External Hard Drive

Backing up Windows Server 2016 is essential to protect valuable data. The easiest, most convenient, and reliable way is to use an external hard drive. This article will guide you through two simple methods of backing up Windows Server 2016 to an external hard drive using Todo Backup Enterprise and the built-in Windows Server Backup tool.

Before beginning the backup process, make sure you have an external hard drive connected to your Windows server. Ensure that the drive has sufficient capacity to store your server data and that the computer recognizes it.

Utilize the Todo Backup Enterprise tool for backup purposes.

2. Select Data to Backup
Choose the specific Windows server data you wish to protect from future data loss. You can back up disks, files, emails, and more as needed.

Select the particular Windows Server data to backup to external hard drive

3. Choose the save path
Click on Browse... to save the backup data to your prepared external hard drive. Then, click on Computer to locate the target disk. When you're done, click on OK.

Select an external hard disk as the destination location to save the Windows Server backup data.

Please note that this product supports on-premises deployment and cloud backup. If you have other preferred backup locations, you can choose them to back up your data.
4. Additional Options to Customize Your Task
There are more options to tailor your backup task:
Use the Schedule Name and Description to clearly distinguish your backup tasks.
With the Backup Schedule option, you can set up one-time, daily, weekly, or monthly recurring backup tasks. You can also choose between full, incremental, or differential backup types based on your needs.
Utilize the Backup Cleanup option to optimize storage space usage.
Furthermore, the Backup Options provide additional features to refine and customize your backup tasks further, such as performance settings and encryption options.

After setting up the backup task, click Start to initiate the backup process in Windows Server 2016, and the data will be backed up to the external disk.

Back up with Windows Server Backup

Windows Server includes a built-in feature called Windows Server Backup that also simplifies the backup process. To back up Windows Server to an external drive, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Server Backup Click the Start menu in Windows Server, search for Windows Server Backup, and then click to open it.

If it is not installed, add it through Server Manager.

Create a Windows Server Backup through Server Manager

2. Launch the Backup Wizard Click Local Backup on the left in the console, and then click Backup Schedule in the Actions pane. When finished, click Next.

3. Choose backup type
In the Backup Wizard, choose the type of backup you want to perform. Windows Server 2016 offers the option for a Full Server or a Custom volume backup. After selecting a backup configuration, click Next to proceed.

4. Set Backup Time
This step will lead you to the backup scheduling options. Adjust the frequency according to your needs. You can set it to backup your data daily or even multiple times a day. After making your selection, click on Next to proceed.

5. Select the Backup Location
Choose Backup to a dedicated backup hard drive, which will save your server data to an external disk. When you've made your selection, click Next.

A warning will appear, stating that the disk you have chosen will be formatted and all data on it will be deleted. Consider this carefully before clicking OK to proceed.

Note that the data on the target disk will be erased by Windows Server Backup.

6. When you're done, click Finish to start the backup.

Conclusions

Backing up your Windows Server 2016 to an external hard drive ensures the safety and availability of your data, minimizing the risk of data loss. Both methods mentioned above can help you achieve this goal. While Windows Server Backup provides basic data backup functionality, Todo Backup offers a more user-friendly, straightforward, and comprehensive solution for data backup. As an administrator, it is highly recommended to use this tool to protect your Windows Server.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Backup Windows Server 2016 to External Hard Drive

1. What is Windows Server Backup?

Windows Server Backup is a feature built into the Windows Server operating system. It provides administrators with a simple solution for backing up and restoring server data.

2. Can I use an external hard drive on the server? Yes, you can use an external hard drive on a server for backup purposes or to expand storage capacity. Before connecting the external drive, ensure that it is compatible with your server's operating system and has sufficient capacity to meet your backup or storage requirements. After use, remember to safely eject the drive to prevent data loss or damage.

What backup strategies do servers use? There are mainly three types of backups: 1. Full Backup: This includes backing up all files and folders within the system. 2. Incremental Backup: This strategy only saves files that have changed or been newly created since the last backup. 3. Differential Backup: This method backs up files that have changed since the last full backup.

4. How often should you back up your Windows Server?
The frequency of backing up your Windows Server depends on the importance of your data and how frequently it changes. If your data is extremely critical and changes often, you might need to back up daily, or even multiple times a day. For less critical or less frequently changing data, a weekly or monthly backup might suffice.