Using batch files to back up data

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

Using batch files to back up data

You can perform backup operations from batch files using the ntbackup command followed by various command line parameters. However, there are two important limitations to using batch files to back up your data:

  • Using the Ntbackup command, you can back up entire folders only. You cannot designate individual files for backup. However, you can designate a backup selection file (.bks file) from the command line, which contains a list of files you want to back up. You must use the GUI version of the Backup utility to create backup selection files.

  • The ntbackup command does not support the use of wildcard characters. For example, typing *.txt will not back up files with a .txt extension.

For more information about using Backup, see "Backup and Restore" at the Microsoft Windows Resource Kits Web site.