Let Windows Server Backup Delete Old Backups Automatically
About Windows Server Backup utility you're using
Windows Server Backup (WSB), introduced in Windows Server 2008, replaced Ntbackup and offers enhanced functionality in later versions, including 2008 R2. WSB allows for full server, system state, and volume backups, providing a reliable and efficient backup solution for Windows Server operating systems. Its capabilities have been further expanded in subsequent versions, making it a robust and versatile tool for backup and recovery needs.
Windows Server Backup offers advanced features, including the ability to select specific files or folders for backup, automatic deletion of old backups, and creation of incremental backups that are faster and smaller. This flexibility allows users to tailor their backup strategy to meet their specific needs. Additionally, Windows Server Backup can be accessed through both the graphical user interface (GUI) and the command line, providing a convenient and accessible backup solution.
Does Windows Server Backup delete old backups?
Windows Server Backup automatically deletes old backups to free up space when storage is low. Before each backup, it allocates space for snapshots. Once the next scheduled backup is triggered, it shrinks the snapshot space and deletes the old backups and their corresponding snapshots, ensuring efficient use of storage resources.
If shrinking the snapshot space is insufficient to free up space, backups will fail with a "target drive is out of disk space" error. This occurs because Windows Server Backup assumes you want to preserve all old backups, preventing it from deleting them to make room for new ones. In such cases, manual deletion of old backups and snapshots is necessary to resolve the issue.
To resolve the issue, you'll need to manually delete old backups from the command line using the wbadmin delete system backup command. Note that this command only works for system state backups, and cannot be used to delete other types of backups. As a workaround, you can delete shadow copies instead.
Therefore, the Windows Server Backup disk space management isn't as perfect as it looks. Is there a more reasonable way to automatically delete old backups?
More flexible way to make Windows Server delete old copies automatically
Qiling Disk Master Server is a robust backup and restore tool designed for Windows Server. It offers flexible options for backing up system, disks, partitions, files, and folders. With its Disk Space Management feature, you can automatically delete previous image backups, ensuring efficient use of disk space. This feature is particularly useful for managing backups after a scheduled full, incremental, or differential backup is configured.
To ensure seamless recovery, Qiling Disk Master Server enables the creation of bootable media, such as a bootable USB drive or CD/DVD disc. This allows for the creation of backups without booting Windows, and also facilitates system restoration when the Server fails to boot, providing a critical layer of protection and recovery capability.
To back up Server with Disk Space Management enabled:
- Download, install and launch Qiling Disk Master Server.
- Under "Backup" tab, select a type of backup. Let's take System Backup as an example.
- It will automatically include the system partition in the backup. Choose a target location to save the image backup.
- To schedule the backup task, click on the "Schedule" option. This allows you to set a recurring backup frequency, such as monthly, weekly, daily, or more frequently, or to trigger the backup based on specific events, like when a USB device is connected.
Tips:
- Daily/Weekly/Monthly: To backup your Windows Server automatically, set the backup running daily, weekly, monthly to avoid forgetting to backup.
- File Sync: Sync files to other locations as soon as they changed, The real time file sync feature will ensure your files stay up to date.
- Click the "Backup Scheme" option to Enable Automatic Backup Cleanup to delete old backups. You can also choose to run full/incremental/differential backups.
- Click "Proceed" to add this schedule or run it as once.
Tips:
- Options: enable password protection, split or compress backup image, enable email notification, switch VSS backup here.
- To restore backup images in the future, please go Restore tab.
- To make bootable media, please go Tools > Create Bootable Media.
Final words
Windows Server Backup automatically deletes old backups, but may fail when deleting many backups. Qiling Disk Master's Disk Space Management feature alleviates this concern by allowing you to manage your target space with ease. Additionally, Qiling Disk Master can be used to clone hard drives or migrate only the OS to a solid-state drive (SSD) when upgrading to a new hard drive.
For comprehensive protection of unlimited PCs and servers within your company, consider Qiling Disk Master Technician. This version offers unlimited billable technical services to clients, allowing you to provide extensive support. Additionally, it enables you to create a portable version by copying the installation directory, providing a convenient solution for clients who need to take their software with them.
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