Apr 17, 2018 To restore Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, and Windows 7-based computers, the preferred method is a full system restore. Specifically, without using ASR, you can perform a Bare Metal Restore (BMR) to freshly formatted boot volumes and system volumes on the same server that the original backup was taken from. 1: Boot from Windows Install Media (Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 DVD) 2: At the Welcome to Setup screen choose the link for repair instead of clicking OK. 3: At the repair menu choose Command Prompt.
Can you create restore point in Windows Server 2008 (R2)?
In Windows 7/8/10, you can create a restore point and use it to undo changes you made or just restore your computer to previous date. However, you cannot create a system restore point in Windows Server 2008 R2/2012 R2/2016/2019, because the server-based operating system does not have System Restore. So, here comes a question: how to enable system restore in windows 2008 (R2) server.
Sep 16, 2019 You cannot directly create restore point in Windows Server 2008 (R2), However, there is a similar feature named System State Backup in Server Computer. With this feature, you can create an alternative system restore point in Windows Server 2008(R2). Windows Server 2008 R2 Backup and Restore. After the installation of Backup features we can access them through the Start, in Administrative Tools under “Windows Server Backup”. Inside the Windows Server Backup Management console, we can create a backup schedule, perform one-time backup, recover data that was previously configured for a backup, or configure performance settings.
Fortunately, there is a similar feature called system state backup, which do more than Windows Server 2008(R2) system restore point for you. Speaking of creating system state backup, you can use Windows Server Backup and command line. Both way supports all kinds of server operating system, from Windows Server 2003 to 2019.
Alternative to Windows Server 2008 (R2) system restore point
System restore point is very useful, but it's only available on Windows 7/8/10. So you need another way to replace a system restore point.
In Windows Server operating system, there's a similar feature called System State Backup. You can use it to replace system restore point. And it is an image backup only available to Windows Server operating system. It is a copy of all related information of your operating system and configurations. According to Microsoft, a System State backup includes the following:
Boot files, including the system files, and all files protected by Windows File Protection (WFP)
Active Directory (on a domain controller only)
Sysvol (on a domain controller only)
Certificate Services (on certification authority only)
Cluster database (on a cluster node only)
The registry
Performance counter configuration information
Component Services Class registration database
Then, keep reading below and learn how to create restore point in Windows Server 2008 (R2) using command line and Windows Server Backup.
Alternative way to create restore point in Windows Server 2008(R2)?
Method 1: Create System State Backup via wbadmin
The first way is to create Windows Server 2008 (R2) restore point via command line. The specific steps are below.
Step 1. Click Start Menu and type cmd in the search box, then run command prompt as administrator.
Step 2. Type a command based on the following syntax and press Enter to execute system state backup.
X: refers to the drive letter of the partition you want to save your backup
-quiet parameter can undo the prompt before you start backup. That's to say, if you do not type-quiet parameter, you will receive a prompt “Do you want to start the backup operation?” and you need to type Y to ensure that you want to perform this operation. To avoid it, you should add –quiet parameter at the end of command.
This method is very easy and useful, especially when you are familiar with these parameters in command prompt. But if you are not familiar with it, you will think it's very complicated. If so, you can try the second one.
Method 2: Create system state backup via Windows Server Backup
Aside by command line, Windows Server still gives you Windows Server Backup. It's a fantastic built-in tool in server-based operating system. With it, you can create alternative restore point for Windows Server 2008(R2).
Note: Windows Server Backup is not installed by default. Thus, you need to manually install it using Server Manager before you start to create alternative restore point on Windows Server 2008(R2). After that, see the following steps:
Step 1. Click Start>Administrative Tools>Windows Server Backup subsequently, then enter the main page of it and select Backup Once Wizard. If you want to create system state backup regularly, you can choose Backup Schedule Wizard.
Step 2. If you have already made a schedule backup, you can choose the first one. If not, you are supposed to choose Different options and click next.
Step 3. Choose Full server option in this window. It contains all your server data, applications, and system state. It can not only be regarded as a full backup but also system state backup. You can use it to do full system recovery together with system state recovery.
Step 4. Specify your destination path to save your backup. You can choose any local drive recognized by your computer or save to network share.
Step 5. Click the drop-down list and choose the drive you want to save your backup.
Step 6. Specify advanced option as you wish.
Step 7. Confirm all the option and click Backup
If you are not familiar with parameters in command prompt, this way will be a great way for you. Unfortunately, Windows Server Backup only backup local NTFS volume. It only supports entire drive, dedicated volume or network share instead of a folder in the local drive. Aside by that, system state backup is not enough to protect your computer, because it can only work out small failure. However, what if your computer is in the event of serious problem like boot failure?
If you are in the event of boot failure, all you need is a full backup instead of system state backup. Thus, you'd better create a full backup via a reliable third-party backup and restore software like AOMEI Backupper.
Create full backup with AOMEI Backupper Server
System Restore Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
AOMEI Backupper Server is a professional software which can help you create a full backup in case of unexpected failure. If something unexpected happen, you can restore Windows Server 2008(R2) to previous date. Also, you can restore other server-based operating system, including Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019 and its R2 version.
With AOMEI Backupper, you can backup partition with NTFS, FAT32, EXT3, EXT4, etc. And you can enjoy all kinds of backup and more advanced features, such as partition backup, disk backup, file backup, daily backup, differential backup, backup scheme, filter settings, etc.
Step 1. Download AOMEI Backupper Server, install and launch it.
Step 2.In the main page, click Backup > System Backup subsequently
Step 3.Choose the desired destination path for your backup.
Step 4(optional). Configure advanced features, click Options, Schedule, Scheme option in the main page. Below is a pop-up window for Schedule settings. Just select one or more settings from it.
Step 5. Then, confirm all options you choose and click Start Backup.
Tips: to restore from the backup image, please click Restore to achieve. If your computer is unbootable, you are suppose to create a bootable USB drive for Server 2008 at first.
AOMEI Backupper Server only supports 1 Server, thus you should choose AOMEI Backupper Technician if you want to protect unlimited PCs and servers within your company. And you can directly copy installation directory for portable version creation. Besides, it offers unlimited billable technical services to clients.
Conclusion
You cannot directly create restore point in Windows Server 2008 (R2), However, there is a similar feature named System State Backup in Server Computer. With this feature, you can create an alternative system restore point in Windows Server 2008(R2). And this feature is also available on other versions of Server, including Server 2003/2012/2016/2019 and its R2 version.
You can directly create a system state backup in Server to replace the restore point in Windows 7/8/10. But system state backup is far from enough to protect your computer, because it can only solve many system failure when the system is bootable. Thus, what you need most is a full backup instead of system state backup. AOMEI Backupper can help you create a full backup, but not just this. It still can help you backup disk, files, clone system, disk, etc.
Active5 years, 6 months ago
Windows 2008 Server Backup Restore
Earlier today, I tried to restore my Windows Server 2008 R2 server from a Windows Server backup file. The process it followed (which I had used in the past on Server 2003) was
Do quick load of OS from CD
Restore backup from external drive.
When I went to restore, I didn't see an option to restore entire system. I had to choose volumes, applications, system state etc. I chose system state and the restore completed; however the server bluescreened when it came back up.
My question is, when doing a restore in the way that I described above, do I need to first restore the C drive, then restore the system state?
Any help or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Per your comment, I'm making this my answer. There isn't a 'best' way...so much as there is a preferred method depending on what you are wanting to recover and the scope of the recovery.
Because it appears you are using the built in Windows Backup utility:
You can learn about the various methods to restore your 2008 server here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/494ff831-ddb7-4c50-aa3d-19c8deb84efb
Specifically, if you are wanting a full system restore, you can find that info here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755163
Bear in mind that when dealing with a domain controller, it is different and you'll need to read the first link and subsequent links about AD/DC restores to fully grasp their implications.