How to Back Up Windows Server 2012 R2 to an External Hard Drive

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Backing up Windows Server 2012 R2 is crucial for safeguarding your valuable data and ensuring business continuity. Using an external hard drive for backup is a convenient and reliable approach. This article will guide you through two straightforward methods to back up Windows Server 2012 R2 to an external hard drive using Windows Server Backup and the secure and dependable tool, Todo Backup.

Before starting the backup process, connect an external hard drive to your Windows server and make sure it has enough capacity to store your server data. Also, ensure that the computer recognizes the hard drive.

Back up with Windows Server Backup

Windows Server comes with a built-in feature called Windows Server Backup that simplifies the backup process. To back up your 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 open it.

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

**Launch the Backup Plan Wizard** Go to the console, and on the left, find the **Local Backup** node. Then, in the **Actions** pane, click **Backup Plan...**. After that, click **Next** to proceed.

3. Select a backup configuration
In the Backup Configuration wizard, choose the type of backup you want to perform. Windows Server 2012 R2 offers two options: Full Server Backup and Custom Backup. With Custom Backup, you can select specific volumes and files to back up. After selecting a backup configuration, click Next to proceed.

4. Set Backup Schedule
During this process, you'll be prompted to set a backup schedule. Adjust the frequency according to your needs. You can choose to back up once a day or multiple times within a day. After selecting, click Next to proceed.

5. Choose the Destination Type
Select the option to Backup to a dedicated backup disk. This will allow you to save your server's data on an external drive. Click on Next when done.

After going through these steps, you will be presented with a screen allowing you to choose the external drive that you connected earlier. Select it and click on the Next button.

A warning will appear, telling you that the disk will be formatted and all data will be permanently deleted. Make sure you want to do this before clicking Yes.

6. Confirm
Once you have completed these steps and reviewed the details, click Finish to perform the backup.

Utilize the Todo Backup tool for backup purposes.

, with its wide range of features, offers backup for disks, systems, files, SQL Server, Exchange Server, and even Active Directory. It allows users to choose specific destinations for their data, whether it be internal or external hard drives, tapes, network drives, or cloud storage. Unlike Windows Server Backup, Todo Backup's backup process does not format the target disk, thus saving space. With its user-friendly interface, security measures, and cost-effectiveness, Todo Backup is an ideal choice for data backup. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to back up your Windows Server 2012 R2 to an external disk using the Todo Backup tool: 1. **Download and Install Todo Backup**: Visit the official website to download the Todo Backup software and install it on your Windows Server 2012 R2 system. 2. **Launch the Software**: Once installed, open the Todo Backup application. 3. **Select Backup Type**: Click on "System Backup" from the main interface. This will ensure that your entire system, including the operating system and applications, is backed up. 4. **Choose Destination**: In the next window, select "External Disk" as your backup destination. Make sure the external drive is connected to your server before proceeding. 5. **Customize Settings (Optional)**: You can choose to schedule regular backups, set compression levels, or include/exclude specific files or folders. These options can be found in the "Options" or "Advanced Settings" section. 6. **Execute Backup**: After configuring the settings, click "Backup Now" to start the backup process. The time taken will depend on the size of your data. 7. **Monitor Progress**: Todo Backup will display a progress bar during the backup. Wait until it completes. 8. **Verify Backup**: Once done, it's a good practice to verify the backup by checking if you can restore a file or two from the external disk. Remember to keep your external drive safe and update your backups regularly to ensure data protection.

First, click Create new task on the left to create a backup task.

Second, decide on the specific data that you want to protect from future loss – for example, your hard drive, files, or e-mails.

3. Next, click on Browse... to choose a location to save your backup. Here, click on Computer to look for a storage path on an external disk. When done, click on OK.

"Todo Backup offers various advanced settings to cater to your specific needs. You can schedule backup tasks according to your preferences, whether it be a one-time, daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Furthermore, you can choose different backup types – full backup, incremental backup, or differential backup – and select the most suitable scheduling option, ranging from shutdown to none at all."

To optimize the use of your storage space, the Backup Cleanup feature allows you to automatically delete old backups. Additionally, the Backup Options provide more customization for your backup tasks, including encryption, compression, and email notifications.

Once you have set up the backup task, simply click Proceed to start backing up your Windows Server 2012 R2. The backup data will then be safely stored on your external disk.

Conclusions

Backing up your Windows Server 2012 R2 to an external disk ensures the safety and accessibility of your data while minimizing the risk of loss. While Windows Server Backup provides basic backup capabilities, Todo Backup tools offer a more user-friendly, secure, and comprehensive data protection solution. As an administrator, we highly recommend utilizing Todo Backup software to safeguard your Windows Server effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions about Backing Up Windows Server 2012 R2 to an External Hard Drive

**1. Does Windows Server have backup functionality?** Yes, Windows Server offers basic backup capabilities to prevent data loss and protect individual files, folders, and the system. It's recommended to use a reliable third-party tool like Todo Backup for more comprehensive backup needs. **2. How can I back up my operating system to an external hard drive?** You can easily do this using the Todo Backup tool. Set up a system backup task and select the external hard drive as the storage location. Once the backup is complete, the system image will be saved on your external hard drive. **3. Should a server be backed up?** Yes, it is highly recommended to back up servers to protect against data loss. **4. What are the backup size limitations in Windows Server?** - Windows Server 2012 Standard: The maximum backup size limit is 2 TB. - Windows Server 2012 Datacenter: This edition does not have a specific backup size limit and can support backups larger than 2 TB. However, with Todo Backup, there are no size limitations.

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