It has been almost three years since Windows Server 2019 first released. If you are using this server system, it is strongly recommended to backup Windows Server 2019 for security, including system state and important settings.
The way of Windows Server 2019 releasing is a little bit tortuous, actually. It was first released for general availability on October 2, 2018, yet had been paused due to Windows 10 Fall Update Missing Files issue. Anyway, it was re-released on November 3, 2018, accurately.
As the newly Server operating system, Server 2019 increases security and reduces business risk with multiple layer of protection built into the OS. For instance, one of the new added features, the System Insight, provides insight into the functioning of your servers and helps you reduce the operational expenses associated with reactively managing issues in your Windows Server deployments. It also enables you to create cloud native and modernize traditional apps using containers and micro-services. (See What’s New in Server 2019)
In general, Windows Server 2019 is built on the foundation of Windows Server 2016 and brings innovations on mostly four themes, Hybrid, Security, Application Platform, and Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI). It is now available to download on Azure Marketplace, Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC), and Microsoft Evaluation Center.
Obviously, you cannot wait to experience the new operating system after installing. Nevertheless, there are some things you may need to take into consideration before you start. Except for the user account and license issue, you may have already configured desired system settings during the installation, drivers for example.
Generally, we are easier to make mistakes when facing a strange object or the unfamiliar operating system, Server 2019. In that case, backing up Windows Server 2019 before you take the first step is crucial in particular. To be specific, you can return everything, including system state, system settings, installed drivers, etc. to the exact state when you just completed the installation.
Furthermore, with a schedule backup task, you can even keep every time point readily in work. The documents and files that you created in the later using can be well-protected as well. Besides, creating Server 2019 backup is not that complicated as you may think since many companies work on how to make them easier. What counts next is to figure out what kind of backup software you could rely on.
For Windows Server operating systems in particular, AOMEI Backupper Server edition brings a lot of features to ensure system and data security. Here are some main functions of it:
β Backup types
You can create system backup, disk backup, file backup, partition/volume backup as well as file sync. Almost all features allow incremental and differential backup, with daily, weekly, monthly, event-trigger, and USB plug in schedule mode.
β Backup scheme
The Scheme feature of the software is worth mentioning because it ensures the destination disk used as backup storage always has enough room while keeping your backups up-to-date in the meantime. The backup scheme provides five backup strategies in total, containing full/incremental/differential backup, disk space management, and other customized types. It also gives the possibility to realize the 3-2-1 backup strategy plan.
β Cloning feature
Another feature that is popular among its users is cloning which includes system clone, disk clone and partition/volume clone. It plays an important role in upgrading old hard drives. Surely, some users tend to take a cloning as a backup.
β Other tools
The utility, Create Bootable Media, allows you to do cloning or backup without booting Windows. It also offers PXE Boot Tool to help you boot many computers from microsystem in the network.
No matter which idea you taking, it is better to get to know how to use it, even if it has a user-friendly and lucid interface. Download 30-day free trial to try the powerful software.
Following will take system state backup in Server 2019 for example. Connect the external storage to your computer in advance if necessary.
1. Install and run AOMEI Backupper Server. Click Backup and then System Backup.
2. Edit task name based on your need. The system drive and its related partitions are selected by default. Now, you need to select the destination path to store the backups. External drive, NAS, network share, cloud drive, CD/DVD, and flash drive are supported.
3. Click Schedule beneath to set a backup mode from daily, weekly, monthly, event-trigger, and so on.
β Tips: βDaily/Weekly/Monthly: To automatically backup your Windows Server constantly, set the backup running daily, weekly, monthly to avoid repeated workload. βEvent Triggers: You could trigger the backup event via the four events: User logon, User logoff, System startup, System shutdown. βUSB plug in: AOMEI Backupper will automatically back up the data on the USB or backup local data to USB device as long as detect the source or destination USB device of the task is plugged in.
4. Click Scheme beneath -> Enable Backup Scheme to set disk space management with one of the backup strategies.
β Tip: There are 5 schemes to help you to delete old backup image to free up space: Full Backup Scheme, Incremental Backup Scheme, Differential Backup Scheme, Space Management Scheme, Other Backup Scheme. AOMEI Backupper will delete the corresponding backups while the backups exceeds the backup number to retain.
5. Click Start Backup to decide back it up now or later.
Tips:
Options allows you to comment the task for distinguishing, password encrypt backups, split or compress backup image, etc.
To backup to NAS or share, please input username and password as required. To backup to cloud drive, please install the responding desktop application first.
When your Server 2019 malfunctions, you can restore it with the backup created before by navigating to Restore > Select Task/Select Image File. In case that your server cannot boot, you may boot it from a Server 2019 bootable USB and then perform system recovery under Windows PE.
It is kind of exciting to experience new stuff, and the Windows Server 2019 is one of them. However, for safety reasons, it is better to back everything up before you start, better safe than sorry after all.
AOMEI Backupper Software is also reliable backup solution for Windows Server 2016, 2012, 2008, 2003, and so on. What’s more, you can clone hard drive in Windows Server 2003 without reinstalling easily in replacing old hard drive or previous systems.
To protect unlimited PCs and servers within your company, you may choose AOMEI Backupper Technician Plus. It offers unlimited billable technical services to clients. It also enables you to copy installation directory for portable version creation.