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Checklist: Schedule Automatic Backups

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Applies To: Windows Server 2008

On a computer running Windows Server 2008, you can use the Backup Schedule Wizard in Windows Server Backup to schedule backups that run automatically once or more per day.

Important

You can only save scheduled backups to one or more attached disks (either internal or external), and all the disks that you will use for backup must be available and online for the schedule to be configured and for you to complete the wizard. However, later when you start running backups, if you are using multiple disks, we recommend that you only connect one so that backups will keep happening to same disk. Then, when you want to take that set of backups offsite, attach another disk in the series.

You can also create scheduled backups using the Wbadmin enable backup command to configure scheduled backups. For examples and syntax for this command, see the Command Reference (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93106).

This checklist describes how to schedule automatic backups using the Windows Server Backup user interface.

Task References

Before you begin, review concepts and requirements, and then determine the following:

  • How many times a day and at what times you want to run backups.

  • Whether you will use a single disk or multiple disks to store the backups.

  • Which volumes you want to back up and whether the backups will need to be used for system recovery.

Windows Server Backup; Backing Up Your Server; https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93012

If you have not already done so, install Windows Server Backup.

Installing Windows Server Backup Tools

Run the Backup Schedule Wizard and follow the instructions in the wizard.

Configure Automatic Backups; Backup Schedule Wizard

If needed, configure the backup to save to multiple disks that you can rotate offsite.

Use Multiple Disks to Store Backups

After the backup is scheduled and a backup has been created, run a test recovery. To do this, you can either wait for the first scheduled backup to run or you can create a one-time backup immediately using the Backup Once Wizard or the Wbadmin start backup command and the same settings that you used for the scheduled backups.

Perform a Manual Backup; Recovering Your Server

Periodically review the backup schedule to confirm that it still meets the needs of your business. In addition, review the configuration of the scheduled backups and consider revising it when you add or remove volumes, applications, features, or roles.

Modify an Automatic Backup Schedule

Additional considerations

  • To install and use Windows Server Backup, you must be a member of the Backup Operators or Administrators group, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure.

  • If you are using BitLocker Drive Encryption to protect your server, if possible, make sure the storage location you choose is also protected with BitLocker Drive Encryption. This will not happen automatically—it must be enabled explicitly. For instructions, see the Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guide (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93107).

Additional resources