How To Safely Recover Data From Windows Server 2019: Backup, Restore, Reset Techniques

Unlock the Power of Data Recovery on Windows Server 2019! If you’re managing a Windows Server 2019 and are concerned about data loss, this article is your go-to resource. We’ll dive into the best practices for backing up, restoring, and resetting your server to ensure data integrity and security. Whether you’re preparing for potential data loss or recovering from a disaster, our step-by-step guide will equip you with the necessary skills to manage your data effectively. Learn how to leverage built-in tools and external software for comprehensive data protection on your server today!

How To Safely Recover Data From Windows Server 2019: Backup, Restore, Reset Techniques

When files are deleted in Windows Server OS, they don’t disappear from the hard disk – they can still be restored from the Recycle Bin, if they were not removed without using the Recycle Bin. Even if the files were deleted permanently from the Recycle Bin, there is still a good chance to recover them. In Windows, files never disappear; the space they take up on the hard disk (or any other media) is then marked as free for writing new data there.

You can either recover the information or restore operability and previous state of the operating system from a backup. If there is no backup to rely on, use a specialized recovery tool.

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🗄️ How to Configure Data Backup, Create a Backup Copy and Restore Windows Server 🗄️

🗄️ How to Configure Data Backup, Create a Backup Copy and Restore Windows Server 🗄️

How to set up and configure backup for Windows Server

Backing up Windows Server is an important part of everyday server management. Backup copies enable recovery after crashes when data may be lost.

By default, the backup feature is not installed for the server version of Windows.

To add it, open the Start menu, find and launch Server Manager.

Server Manager

In the Manager, click Add roles and features.

Server Manager

Click Next

Server Manager

Don’t change the installation type –

Server Manager

In the server choosing tab, no changes.

Server Manager

Move on to the elements. Scan the list for Windows Server Backup, check its box and click Next,

Server Manager

and then Install.

Server Manager

When the installation is over, click Close.

Server Manager

Now that Windows Server Backup has been installed successfully,

you can access its backup features.

How to create a backup of Windows Server

In order to create a backup or configure scheduled backup, open Server ManagerToolsWindows Server Backup.

Server Manager
Server Manager

For quick launch, type wbadmin.msc in the search field.

wbadmin.msc

The following features are available:

Backup Schedule, Backup Once, Recover, and Configure Performance Settings.

wbadmin.msc

Configure scheduled backup in Windows Server

To configure automatic backup on schedule, open Backup Schedule.

wbadmin.msc

When selecting backup configuration, specify backup type – Full server (back up all server data, applications and system state) or Custom (if you want to select a certain volume or files to be backed up).

wbadmin.msc

Choose backup time and how often you want it to run.

wbadmin.msc

Select destination for backups, and one of the options is to save them to a network folder.

wbadmin.msc

When choosing this specific option, you can see a note that you will only have one backup at a time.

wbadmin.msc

Give the network path and click Next.

wbadmin.msc

After that, you’ll be asked to give your account details to enable the scheduled backup.

Windows Security

Finish.

wbadmin.msc

If you only need one copy, select Backup Once.

wbadmin.msc

Select Custom if you want to choose a specific folder or files.

wbadmin.msc

Add items to be backed up.

wbadmin.msc

Specify where the backup file should be stored,

wbadmin.msc
wbadmin.msc
wbadmin.msc
wbadmin.msc

and hit Backup to start.

wbadmin.msc

How to restore Windows Server from backup

Now that the backup is ready, let’s explore the scenario when you need to restore Windows Server.

In different cases with the operating system crashing, having a backup will save you a lot of time if compared with having to reinstall and reconfigure the whole thing.

In order to restore Windows Server to a previous state, open Server Manager –

Server Manager

ToolsWindows Server Backup.

Server Manager

When you open Recover

wbadmin.msc

you’ll be asked to select the backup location:

This server or A backup stored in another location.

wbadmin.msc

Specify the network folder or local disk where the backup is stored.

wbadmin.msc
wbadmin.msc

Select the data from which server should be recovered – Next.

wbadmin.msc

Select a backup available for recovery.

wbadmin.msc

Select what should be recovered,

wbadmin.msc
wbadmin.msc

and specify the folder for recovery – Next.

wbadmin.msc
wbadmin.msc

To start the process, hit Recover.

wbadmin.msc

The system will calculate how many files are to be recovered, and the process will start.

When it’s done, click Close.

wbadmin.msc

Restoring a crashed system

If you have a recovery drive, you can use it to bring your operating system back to normal.

To do it, start by booting with an installation disk or USB drive.

Boot with an installation disk or USB drive

In the installation window, click on Repair your computer.

System Recovery

Then select Troubleshoot.

System Recovery

After that, System Image Recovery.

System Recovery

Select the operating system.

System Recovery

After that, the corresponding window will open – Re-image your computer. Choose the image file and click Next.

System Recovery

You may leave the box to Format and repartition disks checked – as it is.

System Recovery

Ready.

System Recovery

Confirm restoring the computer from the image. Wait until the process is over.

System Recovery

After the restart, the server will be restored to the state recorded in the last backup.

Recovering lost information from Windows Server with a third-party tool

If certain information is lost because your Windows Server operating system crashed, and there is no backup to restore it from, use a third-party data recovery tool.

With virtually tons of data recovery tools offered on the Internet, we recommend using our product Hetman Partition Recovery. When it comes to recovering files after reinstalling an operating system, you can rest assured that Hetman Partition Recovery will do the job perfectly.

It will scan the hard disk or external storage device, find the lost data and help you recover it in a simple and efficient way.

Here is what you do to get your data back:

Step 1. Connect your disk to another computer with a Windows operating system, download and install Hetman Partition Recovery.

The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Hetman Partition Recovery

Remember to immediately stop using the hard disk where the important information used to be stored; also, we don’t recommend reinstalling the operating system, because it can overwrite the data and it will be lost beyond recovery.

Step 2. In the Drive Manager, select the storage device, right-click on it and choose Open.

Hetman Partition Recovery

At first, try Fast scan – it will take less time.

Hetman Partition Recovery

If the fast scan doesn’t help to find the deleted data, then go for Full analysis.

Hetman Partition Recovery

Step 3. The file recovery wizard will scan the selected volume immediately and display the scan results in the right side of the program’s window.

Hetman Partition Recovery

Step 4. When the scan is over, all you need to do is to select the deleted files you want to restore and then click Recovery.

Hetman Partition Recovery

Specify where to save the data and click the same button again to start recovering.

Hetman Partition Recovery

Also, this program can create a disk image and the conduct all recovery operations with this image which increases your chances to restore the deleted information successfully,

Hetman Partition Recovery

because multiple rounds of scanning may result in data overwriting.

Hetman Partition Recovery

There are many factors that may affect the work of your server and put it out of action. After recovery, important information may be lost, entirely or partially, or certain system preferences could be reset, etc. However, now you know how to restore operability of the Windows Server operating system, and you’ll be able to bring the lost data back.

Vladimir Artiukh

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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