Windows Server Backup – Step-by-Step Guide to Safeguard Your System

Introduction

Data loss can be catastrophic for any organization, making a reliable backup and restore strategy essential for maintaining business continuity. Windows Server provides built-in tools to help administrators safeguard critical data.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through setting up Windows Server Backup, creating different types of backups, and best practices to ensure your system is secure and resilient.

⚠️ Need help with restoring data? Check out our restore guide here: How to Restore Windows Server from Backup?

Pre-requisites

• Microsoft Server 2012/2016/2019/2022
• Administrator Role via Server Manager
• Resilient Storage (Local/Remote)

Backup Guide Steps

This backup guide is divided into four main steps:

• Windows Server Backup
• Restore Bare Metal Recovery Backup
• Restore System State Backup
• Troubleshooting

Windows Server Backup

Follow these steps to configure Windows Server Backup:

1. Open Server Manager, select Tools, and then select Windows Server Backup.

2. Select Local Backup.
3. On the Action menu, select Backup once.
4. In the Backup Once Wizard, on the Backup options page, select Different options, and then select Next.

5. On the Select Backup Configuration page, choose one of the following:
   • Full Server: Backs up the entire system.
   • Custom: Select Bare metal recovery for a full system restore, including critical items.
   • System State: If you want to back up Active Directory.

6. Click on Advanced Settings.

7. Click on VSS settings and select VSS Full Backup.

• What is Bare Metal Recovery

Bare Metal Recovery (BMR) is a feature in Windows Server Backup that allows for a complete server restoration in case of catastrophic failure.

This process restores the entire system, including:

• Operating System
• System State
• Installed Applications
• Data

• What is System State Backup

A System State backup includes essential components:

• Active Directory database (on domain controllers)
• System Registry
• COM+ Class Registration database
• Boot files
• Performance Counters configuration
• Cluster service information (on clustered servers)
• Certificate Services database (if installed)
• IIS Metabase (if installed)
• System files protected by Windows File Protection

A System State backup is often a prerequisite for Bare Metal Recovery (BMR) or Active Directory recovery.

Backup Destination

1. On the Specify destination type page, select Local drives or Remote shared folder, and click Next.
2. On the Select Backup Destination page, choose a backup location.
3. On the confirmation screen, click Backup.

4. Once completed, close Windows Server Backup.

🔄 Ready to recover your server? Head to Part 2: Restore Guide for Windows Server Backup