Back up files to a file or a tape

Updated: January 21, 2005

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To back up files to a file or a tape

Using the Windows interface

  1. Open Backup.

    The Backup or Restore Wizard starts by default, unless it is disabled. You can use this wizard or go to the next step to work in Advanced Mode.

  2. Click the Advanced Mode link on the Backup or Restore Wizard.

  3. Click the Backup tab, and then on the Job menu, click New.

  4. Select the files and folders you want to back up by clicking the box to the left of a file or folder.

  5. In Backup destination, do one of the following:

    • Choose File if you want to back up files and folders to a file. This is selected by default.

    • Choose a tape device if you want to back up files and folders to a tape.

  6. In Backup media or file name, do one of the following:

    • If you are backing up files and folders to a file, type a path and file name for the backup (.bkf) file, or click the Browse button to find a file.

    • If you are backing up files and folders to a tape, choose the tape you want to use.

  7. Select any backup options you want, such as the backup type and the log file type, by clicking the Tools menu, and then clicking Options. When you have finished selecting backup options, click OK.

  8. Click Start Backup, and then make any changes to the Backup Job Information dialog box.

  9. If you want to set advanced backup options such as data verification or hardware compression, click Advanced. When you have finished setting advanced backup options, click OK.

  10. Click Start Backup to start the backup operation.

Caution

  • You can use Backup to back up and restore data on FAT16, FAT32, or NTFS volumes. However, if you have backed up data from an NTFS volume, it is recommended that you restore the data to an NTFS volume of the same version to prevent losing data. Some file systems might not support all of the features of other file systems.

Notes

  • You can use Backup to back up and restore data on FAT16, FAT32, or NTFS volumes. However, if you have backed up data from an NTFS volume, it is recommended that you restore the data to an NTFS volume of the same version to prevent losing data. Some file systems might not support all of the features of other file systems.

  • To start Backup, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup.

  • If the Backup or Restore Wizard does not start by default, you can still use it to back up files by clicking Wizard Mode on the Welcome tab.

  • To back up and restore Microsoft SQL Server database files, it is recommended that you use the built-in backup and restore utilities that SQL has. For more information, see the Microsoft SQL Server documentation.

  • Some tape drives may not support hardware compression.

  • System State data contains most elements of a system's configuration, but it might not include all of the information that you require to recover your system from a failure. Therefore, it is recommended that you back up all boot and system volumes, including the System State, when you back up your system.

  • You can only back up the System State data on a local computer. You cannot back up the System State data on a remote computer.

  • Backup does not support the use of backup media such as CD-RW (compact disc rewritable), CD-R (compact disc recordable), and DVD-R (digital video disc recordable). To save backups to this type of media, back up to a file and copy that file to the CD. You can use Backup to restore from a CD.

  • Backup files usually have the extension .bkf. You can use any extension you like, but it is highly recommended that you use .bkf, which has file associations that will ensure that the backup file is recognizable.

  • Backup operators and administrators can back up and restore encrypted files and folders without decrypting the files or folders.

  • If you have Windows Media Services running on your computer, and you want to back up the files associated with these services, see "Running Backup with Windows Media Services" in the Windows Media Services online documentation. You must follow the procedures outlined in the Windows Media Services online documentation before you can back up or restore files associated with Windows Media Services.

Using a command line

  1. Open Command Prompt.

  2. To backup to a file or tape, type:

    ntbackup backup@bks file name/J {"backup job name"} /F {"file name"} /T {"tape name"} /P {"pool name"} /G {"guid name"} /N {"media name"} /A

 

Value Description

@bks file name

Specifies the name of the backup selection file (.bks file) to be used for this backup operation. The @ character must precede the name of the backup selection file. A backup selection file contains information on the files and folders you have selected for backup. You have to create the file using the graphical user interface (GUI) version of Backup. Alternatively, you could supply the path to the drive or file to backup, for example, D:\.

/J {"backup job name"}

Specifies the job name to be used in the backup report. The job name usually describes the files and folders you are backing up in the current backup job.

/F {"file name"}

Specifies the logical disk path and file name of the backup file. You must not use the following switches with this switch: /P /G /T.

/T {"tape name"}

Overwrites or appends to this tape.

/P {"pool name"}

Specifies the media pool from which you want to use media. This is usually a subpool of the Backup media pool, such as 4mm DDS. If you select this value, you must not use the following switches: /A /G /F /T

/G {"guid name"}

Overwrites or appends to this tape. Do not use this switch in conjunction with /P.

/N {"media name"}

Specifies the new tape name. You must not use /A with this switch.

/A

Performs an append operation. Either /G or /T must be used in conjunction with this switch. Do not use this switch in conjunction with /P.

For information on additional file and tape backup options, see the Ntbackup.

Examples:

To backup drive D: to file C:\backup.bkf, with job name "Backup Job 1" type the following at the command line:

ntbackup.exe backup D:\ /j "Backup Job 1" /f "C:\Backup.bkf"

For a tape backup, to create a backup job named "Backup Job 1" that backs up all the files and folders listed in the backup selection file c:\backup.bks to a tape drive, type:

ntbackup backup @C:\backup.bks /n "Media created 11/5/2001 at 1:25 PM" /d "Set created 11/5/2001 at 1:25 PM" /j "Backup Job 1" /p "4mm DDS"

Important

  • If you don’t specify options at the command prompt, they will default to those specified in the Backup application.

  • Before using the command line to perform backup operations, it is recommended that you use the user interface to create the initial backup selection file, settings and a scheduled task. You can then use that scheduled task to view the command syntax. Copy the information from the scheduled task, make any changes that are necessary to create a script or command line syntax, then delete the scheduled task if it is not needed otherwise.

  • You can use Backup to back up and restore data on FAT16, FAT32, or NTFS volumes. However, if you have backed up data from an NTFS volume, it is recommended that you restore the data to an NTFS volume of the same version to prevent losing data. Some file systems might not support all of the features of other file systems.

  • To back up and restore Microsoft SQL Server database files, it is recommended that you use the built-in backup and restore utilities that SQL has. For more information, see the Microsoft SQL Server documentation.

  • Some tape drives may not support hardware compression.

Notes

  • You can use Backup to back up and restore data on FAT16, FAT32, or NTFS volumes. However, if you have backed up data from an NTFS volume, it is recommended that you restore the data to an NTFS volume of the same version to prevent losing data. Some file systems might not support all of the features of other file systems.

  • To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command prompt.

  • To view the complete syntax for this command, at a command prompt, type:

    ntbackup /?

  • If you do not specify the other Backup options, ntbackup will use the default values of the Backup program for the backup type, verification setting, logging level, hardware compression, and any other settings.

  • System State data contains most elements of a system's configuration, but it might not include all of the information that you require to recover your system from a failure. Therefore, it is recommended that you back up all boot and system volumes, including the System State, when you back up your system.

  • You can only back up the System State data on a local computer. You cannot back up the System State data on a remote computer.

  • Backup files usually have the extension .bkf. You can use any extension that you want, but it is highly recommended that you use .bkf, which has file associations that will ensure that the backup file is recognizable.

  • Backup operators and administrators can back up and restore encrypted files and folders without decrypting the files or folders.

  • If you have Windows Media Services running on your computer, and you want to back up the files associated with these services, see "Running Backup with Windows Media Services" in the Windows Media Services online documentation. You must follow the procedures outlined in the Windows Media Services online documentation before you can back up or restore files associated with Windows Media Services.

Information about functional differences

  • Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.

See Also

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