Solved | Windows Server Backup Not Doing Incremental Backup
Incremental backup in Windows Server Backup
Windows Server Backup provides the ability to run incremental backups, which only backup the changed data during scheduled backup tasks, making the backup process faster.
WSB creates a full backup after 6 incremental backups or runs a scheduled backup every 14 days since the last full backup, ensuring a successful restore in case of missing previous backups.
WSB automatically deletes old backups when there is not enough space for new ones, eliminating the need for manual deletion.
Why Windows Server Backup Incremental Not Working?
Windows Server Backup (WSB) has the ability to run incremental backups automatically by default, but sometimes it creates a full backup instead. This may occur due to various reasons, including default settings, backup schedule conflicts, or issues with the backup process itself, resulting in incremental backup failures.
- The "Configure performance settings" should be set to "Always perform incremental backup" for correct functionality.
- In Windows Server 2008/2008 R2, scheduled backups to a network share can only be performed as full backups.
- If the last backup cannot be detected by WSB, it will create a full backup instead of an incremental backup.
The last option is usually the most common, especially for users who have backed up to an external hard drive. However, when plugging off and plugging in, the drive letter might change, making the location path unrecognizable. If the VSS snapshot associated with the previous backup of the source volume was deleted, WSB will have trouble reading the last backup, resulting in a full backup being created instead of an incremental one.
When the area where a shadow copy was located runs out of space, the system often resets it, leading to issues with backups. This can cause a full backup to be performed or the backup process to fail, especially if the file system of one of the volumes included in the backup is changed from NTFS to ReFS.
Third-party server incremental backup software can provide a better experience with incremental backups, allowing for more efficient and targeted data backup and recovery.
How to Configure Windows Server 2022/2019/2016 Incremental Backup Easily
For those seeking an easier way to manage full and incremental backups, Qiling Disk Master Server is a top choice. It creates a full backup initially and then incremental backups, allowing users to set the number of incremental backups to retain.
The software provides a range of powerful functions related to server backup, offering a comprehensive solution to meet your needs.
- It allows you to include system, disks, partitions, files, and folders into the backup.
- You can set up multiple scheduled backups, such as daily, weekly, or monthly backups, as needed.
- You can set full, incremental, or differential backups based on your needs, and you can back up to any drive, external drive, network share, etc. without any limitations.
- It still has the feature to automatically delete old backups to save space while keeping all backups valid for restore.
To create Windows Server incremental backup task with this software:
1. Free download the software, Install and launch it.
2. Under the Backup tab, select "System Backup" to include the necessary files for a system restore.
✎ Note: You can choose from a variety of backup options, including Disk Backup, Partition Backup, or File Backup, depending on your specific needs.
3. To specify the destination location to store the backup image, click the marked box and select a suitable backup storage device.
4. To schedule a backup, click on "Schedule Backup" and choose when to run the backup. Then, click on the "Backup Scheme" tab and select the type of backup you want, which can be full, differential, or incremental. If you choose incremental backups, it will create one full backup and then 6 incremental backups.
5. To enable automatic backup cleanup, click on the "Enable Automatic Backup Cleanup" option under the "Backup Scheme" tab, and select a method to delete old backups, such as by quality, date, daily, weekly, or monthly.
6. To start the first full backup, click "Proceed" and then "Add the schedule and Proceed now". After that, incremental backups will be performed at the time or trigger settings you set. Alternatively, you can choose "Only add the schedule" to schedule the backup for later.
Conclusion
If you're confused about why Windows Server Backup isn't doing incremental backups, you can easily switch to Qiling Disk Master, which allows for one full backup and 6 incremental backups by default. Additionally, with the Disk Space Management feature enabled, it will automatically perform a full backup once old backups are deleted, ensuring the current backups are valid.
To protect unlimited PCs and servers in a company, Qiling Disk Master Technician Plus can be chosen, providing unlimited billable technical services and allowing for the creation of a portable version by copying the installation directory.
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