Best way to start backing up production data from a Azure VM, deleting all test backups

Question

I've been running an Azure VM for a few months, testing backups with test data. I'm now ready to start using production data that I've migrated to the VM. Should I just stop backup and delete backup data then be able to "restart" the backup using the same backup vault, retention policies, etc.? All backups are currently 'Snapshot and Vault-Standard' and 'Vault-Standard' Recovery point type.

Answer 1

Hi @KEC Admin

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A platform. I am happy to answer your question.

Yes! That's the right thing to do, stop backups and delete all the backup data from backup items blade and reprotect/reconfigure the VM backup to the same vault using the same policy or you can modify the policy as per the retention requirements for production.

Yes, all backups that are currently 'Snapshot and Vault-Standard' and 'Vault-Standard' Recovery point type will be it and will be deleted.

Note: Ensure to disable the soft delete feature from properties blade->Security Settings, which you can enable once you are ready to reconfigure backups.

Details: To protect your data, Azure Backup includes the soft delete feature. With soft delete, even after the backup (all the recovery points) of a VM is deleted, the backup data is retained for fourteen additional days. For more information, see the soft delete documentation.

Stop protection and delete backup data: Stop protection and delete backup data. This option will stop all future backup jobs from protecting your VM and delete all the recovery points. You won't be able to restore the VM nor use Resume backup option.

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