Windows Server Backup is the native backup tool in Windows Server that allows to take full shadow copies using system state, application backup,or specific files/folders. It also provides the opportunity to backup a server to perform Bare Metal Recovery (BMR). It can backup to a dedicated volume on the server, external storage, or network path.
In this guide, we will be discussing how to install Windows Server Backup and how to create and restore a backup of the Exchange Server.
How to Install Windows Server Backup?
To install the Windows Server Backup, you can use the Server Manager or the PowerShell command.
To install Windows Server Backup using the Server Manager,
- Click on the features installation.
- In the window that opens, scroll-down and check Windows Server Backup Features.
- Then, click on Install.
This will install the feature.There is no need to restart.
Alternatively, you can use the following PowerShell command to install the Windows Server Backup:
How to CreateBackup using Windows Server Backup?
Open the Windows Server Backup. For this, right-click on Start and click on Run. Enter the following text and click on OK.
Alternatively,you can open the Windows Server Backup from the Administrative Tools.
Once the application is open, click on Local Backup from the left pane.
You can skip the Getting Started screen.
Now, you need to select the backup configuration for your backup. Click on Custom to manually select volumes and files for backup.
Click on Add Items and select all the items to be backed up.
Note: Do not select individual files or folders.Otherwise, application-level backup will not run. So, the entire volumes must be selected.
Click on the Advanced Settings button. Click on VSS Settings tab and click on VSS copy backup. This will ensure that application-level backup of the server is taken. Once ready, click on the OK button.
On the next screen,you need to set the schedule of the backup. It is recommended toselect a time when there is little activity on the server.
Next, you need to select the destination of the backup.
Once the backup job is confirmed, you will get a summary of what was selected.
The backup will run as scheduled.
If you want to test the backup job, you can do so from the Task Scheduler.
Once you get the scheduled task, you need to modify the job and enable the Run-on Demand option. The option will be found in the Settings tab.
Once the backup job is executed (either manually or at the scheduled time), it will update the interface (see the below image).
To confirm the complete backup of the Exchange Server, open the Exchange Management Shell (EMS) and type the following command:
Get-MailboxDatabase -Server <ServerName> -Status | Format-List Name,*FullBackup
How to Restore Data using Windows Server Backup?
Open the application and click on the Recover button on the right pane of the screen.
Click Next on the welcome screen and select where you need to recover the data to. If you are recovering the database due to Exchange Server failure or any other issue, select This server and click Next.
Then, select the date of backup to usefor recovery. Once selected, click Next.
Now, you need to select Exchange.
Note: If you don’t see Exchange in the application list, this means that the backup has failed or the application-level backup was not taken. This indicates that there is some issue in restoring the database, since the backup was not taken correctly.
Select Recover to original location and click Next.
After the confirmation, the recovery will start.
Conclusion
A backup is always important. It should be taken regularly and monitored daily. Above, we have discussed how to take and restore backup using the Windows Server Backup. However, when restoring backup in case of Exchange Server failure, you need to consider the time and effort to get back the data and services running. Also, you might lose changes from the backup onwards.
In case the backup gets corrupted, youcan useStellar Repair for Exchange. With this Exchange Server Repair tool, you can extract&save mailboxes from damaged or corrupt EDB file to PSTwithout any file size limitations.You can browse the corrupt Exchange EDB file in an Outlook-like interface and selectively export the data to PST and other file formats. You can also export the restored database directly to a live Exchange Server database or Office 365.
