> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Back Up Windows Server with Windows Server Backup

> Back up Windows Server 2019, 2022 or 2025 with Windows Server Backup: install the feature, run wbadmin start backup to a second disk or share, schedule, restore.

To back up Windows Server 2019, 2022 or 2025, install the **Windows Server Backup** feature with `Install-WindowsFeature Windows-Server-Backup`, then run `wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:E: -allCritical -include:C: -quiet` from an elevated prompt. The target must be a different volume or a network share, never the drive you are backing up. Schedule it with `wbadmin enable backup` and restore with `wbadmin start recovery`.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Needs |
| - | - | - | - |
| Intermediate | 20 minutes | Windows Server 2019 / 2022 / 2025 | Administrator rights, a second volume or a network share |

## Before you start

* [Connect with Remote Desktop](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-windows-server-with-remote-desktop.md) as an administrator.
* Run every `wbadmin` command in an **elevated** PowerShell or Command Prompt (right-click > **Run as administrator**). You must be in the **Administrators** or **Backup Operators** group.
* Decide where backups go. A backup on the same disk as the server is lost with that disk. Good targets are a **second disk** or a **network share** on another machine (`\\198.51.100.20\backups`).
* On a VPS you can also take full-disk backups in the panel: see [VPS Panel backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-schedule-and-restore-backups.md). Windows Server Backup gives you a second copy you control.

## How to install Windows Server Backup

> [tab] PowerShell
>
> ```powershell theme={null}
> Install-WindowsFeature Windows-Server-Backup
> ```
>
> `Success` shows `True` when it is installed.

> [tab] Server Manager
>
> 1. Open **Server Manager > Manage > Add Roles and Features**.
> 2. Click **Next** until **Features**.
> 3. Tick **Windows Server Backup**, then **Next > Install**.

See [install roles and features](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-install-roles-and-features-on-windows-server.md) for more on Server Manager.

## How to run a one-time backup with wbadmin

> [tab] To a second disk
>
> ```powershell theme={null}
> wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:E: -include:C: -allCritical -quiet
> ```
>
> * `-backupTarget:E:` is where the backup is stored.
> * `-include:C:` lists the volumes, folders or files to back up, separated by commas.
> * `-allCritical` adds every volume Windows needs to start, so you can restore the whole server (bare-metal recovery).
> * `-quiet` runs without asking questions.

> [tab] To a network share
>
> ```powershell theme={null}
> wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:\\198.51.100.20\backups -include:C: -allCritical -user:backupuser -password:ExamplePassw0rd -quiet
> ```
>
> The account needs write permission on the share.

> [!WARNING]
>
> The target cannot be one of the volumes you are backing up. With `-allCritical`, the command fails if the target is a system volume such as `C:`.

> [!NOTE]
>
> When you back up the same server to the **same network share** again, the new backup **overwrites** the previous one. If that backup fails, you can be left with no usable backup. Use a separate subfolder per backup, for example `\\198.51.100.20\backups\2026-11-04`, if you need more than one version.

To back up only some folders, list them, for example `-include:C:\inetpub,D:\Data`. To add the system state to a backup of selected items, add `-systemState`.

## How to schedule daily backups

```powershell theme={null}
wbadmin enable backup -addtarget:E: -include:C: -allCritical -schedule:01:00 -quiet
```

`-schedule` takes one or more times in `HH:MM` format, separated by commas, for example `-schedule:01:00,13:00`.

> [!WARNING]
>
> When the scheduled backup target is a whole **disk**, Windows formats that disk before first use, and everything on it is permanently erased. Check with `wbadmin get disks` that you picked the right disk. With a **network share** as the target, you can't add more targets later and each run replaces the previous backup.

To stop scheduled backups: `wbadmin disable backup`.

## How to check your backups

```powershell theme={null}
wbadmin get versions
```

Each backup is listed with a **Version identifier** such as `11/04/2026-01:00`. To see what one contains:

```powershell theme={null}
wbadmin get items -version:11/04/2026-01:00
```

`wbadmin get status` shows progress while a backup is running.

## How to restore files from Windows Server Backup

**1. Find the version**

```powershell theme={null}
wbadmin get versions
```

**2. Restore to a different folder**

```powershell theme={null}
wbadmin start recovery -version:11/04/2026-01:00 -itemType:File -items:C:\inetpub\wwwroot -recursive -recoveryTarget:D:\Restore -overwrite:CreateCopy
```

`-recursive` includes subfolders. `-overwrite:CreateCopy` never replaces an existing file; other options are `Overwrite` and `Skip`.

**3. Copy back what you need**

Check the restored files, then copy them into place.

To restore the whole server from an `-allCritical` backup, boot the server from the Windows Server installation ISO into the Windows Recovery Environment and recover from the backup there; `wbadmin start sysrecovery` only works in that environment. On a VPS, use [custom ISOs and boot order](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-mount-custom-isos-and-configure-boot-order.md) and the [VNC console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access.md). On a dedicated server, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) for console or ISO access.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I back up Windows Server to the same drive?

Not to the volume being backed up. A backup on another volume of the same physical disk is also lost if that disk fails, so prefer a second disk or a network share on another machine.

### Does Windows Server Backup keep several versions?

On a dedicated local backup disk, yes: `wbadmin get versions` lists each one. On a network share, each run overwrites the previous backup of that server unless you use separate subfolders.

### How do I back up SQL Server databases?

Use SQL Server's own backups (`BACKUP DATABASE`) to a file, then include that folder in your Windows backup. See [install SQL Server Express](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-install-sql-server-express-on-windows-server.md).

### Is a VPS panel backup the same as Windows Server Backup?

No. A panel backup copies the whole virtual disk from outside the server. Windows Server Backup runs inside Windows and lets you restore single files. Using both gives you two independent copies.

## Related guides

> [card] [VPS and dedicated server guides](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/vps-and-dedicated-server-guides.md)
>
> Every guide in this section.

> [card] [VPS Panel backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-schedule-and-restore-backups.md)
>
> Full-disk backups and restores.

> [card] [Install roles and features](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-install-roles-and-features-on-windows-server.md)
>
> Add Windows Server features.

> [card] [Free up disk space on Windows Server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-free-up-disk-space-on-windows-server.md)
>
> Make room for backups.

> [card] [Back up a Linux server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-back-up-a-linux-server.md)
>
> The Linux equivalent.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Checked against the official Microsoft Learn pages for [wbadmin start backup](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wbadmin-start-backup), [wbadmin enable backup](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wbadmin-enable-backup) and [wbadmin start recovery](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wbadmin-start-recovery)** on 4 November 2026 (Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025). Commands were not run on a live Windows server. Options can change between Windows releases.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** November 2026


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