How to Backup and Restore Active Directory in Windows 2022/2019/2016?
What is Active Directory?
As mentioned above, Active Directory connects users to network resources to accomplish their tasks. Therefore, users can not continue to work with this computer if data in Active Directory gets lost. That is the main reason why we need to back up AD.
Why Do I Need to Backup and Restore Active Directory?
Active Directory is an essential part of any Windows network. Having no backup strategy could put the entire system and device at risk. Once the Active Directory Domain Controller (AD DC) becomes unavailable for whatever reason, users cannot log in, and the computer systems can not function properly, which might cause economic loss and disturb business activity. That is the reason why we need to back up Active Directory. When it comes to a good backup tool, you may need to know Qiling Backup Enterprise.
A Good Helper - Qiling Backup Enterprise
As an easy-to-use backup software, Qiling Backup Enterprise has utility functions listed as follows:
- Simple, efficient, powerful.
- Provide a Smart Windows backup solution for both computers and servers.
- Protect businesses and systems.
- Deliver Affordable Solutions to lower total cost.
If you are having backup and restore problems, just download it and have a try. With the help of Qiling Backup Enterprise, you can be stress-free to have an automatic backup or external backup.
As mentioned above, Active Directory is vital to a computer, so we need to back it up for data security. But how can you back up an Active Directory? You will know this answer in the next part. These projects are suitable for Windows Server 2019/2016/2012.
Backup and Restore Active Directory with Windows Server
Now, you know it is important to back up and restore Active Directory since it matters a lot in a computer. So, the next two paragraphs will introduce how to back up and restore Active Directory.
Windows Server Backup uses a method of Volume Shadow Copy Service. Users can back up system files and the items they select. This way is suitable to back up Active Directory. Now, let's see how.
Backup Active Directory with Windows Server
First, here is a step-by-step guide about backup Active Directory with Windows Server.
Step 1. Open "Server Manager", click on "Tools" and choose Windows Server Backup.
Step 2. Click on "Backup Once" to initiate a manual AD.
Step 3. Select "Different options" and click "Next".
Step 4. select "Custom" and click "Next".
Step 5. Choose the files that you want to back up. To do that, click on "Add items", select "System State" and click "OK".
Step 6. Specify the backup destination type. You are free to choose Local drives or Remote shared folder.
Step 7. Then, double-check your backup information on the confirmation screen and click "OK".
Then, it is time to introduce the way to restore AD with Windows Server.
Restore Active Directory with Windows Server
Before restoring AD, you need to boot in Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM).
To boot in DSRM, you need to:
- Reboot the server.
- In the boot menu, press F8 for advanced options.
- Then, select the Directory Services Restore Mode.
- Press the enter button, which will reboot the computer in safe mode.
Then, you can restore AD now. Follow these steps.
Step 1. Run the Windows Server Backup.
Step 2. Look for the "Recover" option and click it.
Step 3. Open the recovery wizard and choose the "A backup stored on another location" option.
Step 4. Select the disk and give the exact path where your backup is located.
Step 5. Select the data of the backup you want to use.
Step 6. Next, choose the recovery type.
Step 7. Choose the location for recovery.
Next, you'll get some warnings depending on the recovery type. Click OK for everything. Then, you can recover your data.
Backup and Restore Active Directory with Qiling Backup Enterprise
As mentioned above, Qiling Backup Enterprise frees users to have a partition backup or to backup hard drive. Now, let's try to back up the Active Directory with it.
Backup Active Directory
Follow these steps, and you can finish an easy backup.
Step 1. To begin the backup process, click the File backup button.
Step 2. Lists of both local and network files are shown on the tree view of the screen. Expanding the directory so that you can choose the files to back up.
Step 3. Follow the guidance on the screen and choose the place where you want to store the back up.
Step 4. Make sure that the backup is encrypted and set the backup schedule by clicking Options in Backup Options.
You can also choose to start the backup at a certain time in Backup Scheme by clicking Options. There are many other customizable options that you can look into.
Step 5. You can store the backup file either on your computer, in Qiling's cloud service, or on a network-attached storage device (NAS).
Step 6. Qiling Backup enables customers store backup copies of their files on a third-party cloud drive or on the company's own cloud storage.
If you want to back up your data on a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive and scroll down to add Cloud Device. Then fill in your account information.
Step 7. Click on Proceed to start a backup. When the backup process is done, it will display as a card on the left-hand side of the screen. A click will let you see more about how to handle the backup job in more depth.
Next, we are going to use Qiling Backup Enterprise to restore.
Restore Active Directory
Here, you can know how to restore Active Directory, and you can achieve it easily if you follow these steps.
Step 1. Launch Qiling Backup, click "Browse to Recover".
Step 2. Guide to your backup destination, choose the backup file you want to recover. (The backup file created by Qiling Backup is a fvd file.)
Step 3. Choose the recovery location. You can recover data to a specific location or to original location.
Step 4. Click "Proceed" and the recovery would start.
That is the whole backup and restore process. It is easy to back up with Qiling Backup Enterprise. Besides backing up and restoring, it enables users to backup hard drive to another hard drive and makes business easier. Now, download and have a try.
FAQs About Backup and Restore Active Directory
This part lists some common questions about backing up and restoring Active Directory. Hope it can help you.
Can I back up and restore Active Directory to another server?
Yes, you can. You are free to use Windows Server or a third-party backup tool to help you with this.
How do I restore a Windows Server backup to another server?
Step 1. Launch "Windows Server Backup" and choose choose "Local Backup".
Step 2. In the "Action" section, select "Recover" to open the Recovery Wizard.
Step 3. Now, in "Getting Started", you will be prompted to choose where to restore the data from another server.
Then, you can restore a Windows Server backup to another server.
Where are Windows server backups stored?
Windows Server stores its backup in the ComputerName of the BackupStorageLocation folders.
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