Full system image backup & shutdown

Question

I am trying to create command that I can use as a bat file to (1) create a full system backup (2) shutdown after the backup is finished. 

My question is, what command should I use so that in case my hard disk dies, I could use the backup to get back to exactly where I was ?

Wbadmin start backup reference states the following commands:

-systemState

-allCritical

Do I need these if I use "-include:C:" ?

Answer 1

Hello TomatoSanta,

I'm Independent Advisor and Microsoft MVP, here to help you with your question.

It depends, in different cases.

You can read about all parameters and their usage, supported by this syntax in following documentation:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server...

Let us know if this helps!

Answer 2

There is a saying that "An untested backup is only slightly better than no backup at all". If this was my machine then I would do this:

1. Perform a backup using the switches that I think are necessary.
2. Perform a restore.
3. Check if everything is there.

In other words, I would never rely on the advice of a forum respondent, which might or might not be correct. I visualise this scene after a failed restore: "Sorry, boss, I cannot restore your files because the forum advice I received was incorrect."