[Full Guide] Windows Server 2022 Backup and Restore

Discover the importance of data protection in the world of Windows Server 2022 with this comprehensive guide on backup and restore. Unleash the power of Windows Server 2022 to fortify your infrastructure and ensure seamless data recovery in the face of unexpected challenges.

By @ZeliaLast Updated February 25, 2025

Why you need to perform Windows Server backup and restore

Tailored to meet the diverse requirements of businesses and organizations, Windows Server 2022 offers a wide array of capabilities, including improved container management, enhanced security features such as secured-core server, and integration with Azure services.

Performing Windows Server 2022 backup and restore is essential for a multitude of reasons.

  • Data migration and hardware upgrades: Regular backups can ensure that critical data remains secure and can protect business data before any risky operations.
  • Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Backing up Windows Server 2022 can prevent disasters such as fires or floods, support rapid recovery, and ensure business continuity.
  • Factory Reset: If you are not satisfied with the current settings, or if the server crashes or fails to start, make sure to back up before restoring Windows Server 2022 to factory settings.

This article will introduce 2 methods to help you back up and restore Windows Server 2022 without spending too much time and effort. 🔵 Using Windows Server Backup itself 🔵 Using a simpler and more efficient alternative - AOMEI Cyber Backup [Free]

How to perform Windows Server 2022 backup and restore [Built-in]

In Windows Server 2022, Microsoft offers a native backup tool - Windows Server Backup that enables you to perform Windows Server 2022 auto backup. Here's a step-by-step guide to performing backups and restores using Windows Server Backup:

Steps to backup Windows Server 2022

1. Access the Windows Server Backup tool from the Administrative Tools menu or via the Start menu search.

2. Select the Backup Once option for a one-time backup or Backup Schedule for recurring backup tasks.

3. Choose the backup type (Full server or Custom) for Windows Server 2022 backup.

4. Specify the items to include, such as volumes, system state, applications, etc.

5. Designate the backup destination, which can be a local drive, external storage, or a network share.

6. Review the backup settings and initiate the backup process by clicking Backup.

Steps to restore Windows Server 2022

1. To perform Windows Server 2022 bare metal restore, launch the Windows Server Backup tool and select the Recover in the console to start looking at your recovery options along with recovery destination.

2. Choose the recovery type (Files and folders, Volumes, System state, etc.) and the location of the backup.

3. Select the specific items to restore and decide whether to restore to their original location or an alternative one.

4. Review the recovery settings and commence the restoration process by clicking Recover.

Although the built-in backup feature of Windows Server 2022 can meet some basic needs, it may have certain limitations when dealing with large-scale and complex enterprise-level usage scenarios.

Free alternative: Windows Server 2022 backup and restore

If you are looking for an alternative for Windows Server backup and restore, AOMEI Cyber Backup is an excellent choice.

AOMEI Cyber Backup is a professional and reliable Windows Server 2022 backup and restore software, catering to the diverse needs of businesses and individuals alike.

With its user-friendly interface and robust feature set, AOMEI Cyber Backup ensures the protection of your critical data and system configurations, offering the following benefits for free as well:

✧Easy-to-use: With the intuitive interface, it's easy to configure system backups without script. ✧Automated Backup: Schedule Windows Server backups at specific intervals, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. You can also set the time and date for each backup. ✧Multiple Storage Destinations: Securely store backup to a local drive, network destinations like NAS or cloud environment. ✧Fast Recovery: Restore your Windows Server to its previous state easily with a few clicks.

Next, this article will demonstrate how to perform Windows Server backup and recovery via AOMEI Cyber Backup. You can click the following button to download the freeware.

Download FreewareWindows Server and PC

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📢Both free and trial version of AOMEI Cyber Backup support Windows Server 2025/2022/2019/2016 and Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7.

Prerequisites to Windows system backup

1. Firstly, please navigate to Source Device >> Agents >> + Add Agent. If you do not install AOMEI Cyber Backup Agent to your computer or the version of agent is not compatible, please Download Agent or Update Agent at first.

2. Access to Source Device >> Windows. It will automatically appear if the device is compatible and online. Otherwise, you need add Windows device by clicking + Add Windows Device to enter your Device Information and User Information.

Backup and restore Windows system via AOMEI Cyber Backup

Step 1. Create Backup Task: In AOMEI Cyber Backup, click Backup Task >> + Create New Task, and choose backup type as System Backup. Then specify Task Name, Device Name, Target, and Schedule as you want.

It's easy to automate Windows Server 2022 backup from a centralized console.

  • Task Name: Change the task name or use the default name with an ordinal.
  • Device Name: If you are using the free version, you can choose to backup 1 Windows Server or 3 PC-based Windows systems.
  • Target: Select to back up to a new local storage, or to a new network storage. Used paths will be saved in Favorite Storage for handy selection.
  • Schedule: Choose to perform full, differential or incremental backup, and automate execution daily, weekly or monthly according to the frequency you specified.
  • Start Backup: You can select Add the schedule and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.

Step 2. Restore from backup: Click >> Restore on the left of the backup task to start setting up the Windows Server recovery task.

  • Restore Content: Confirm the restore Source task, and click Select Content to specify a restore point. Then click OK to confirm your choice.
  • Restore Location: Specify your target location that you want to restore to. Select Restore to original location to restore your system quickly from any backed-up history version.
  • (Optional) In AOMEI Cyber Backup trial, you can enable Restore to new location to quickly restore Windows Server 2022 to another computer with ease.

  • Start Restore: Now you can click Start Restore. The details of the recovering process will be displayed in Restore Records.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Windows Server 2022 backup and restore play a vital role in safeguarding critical data and ensuring the continuity of business operations. As the latest iteration of Microsoft's server operating system, Windows Server 2022 offers powerful capabilities to meet the diverse needs of modern data centers and hybrid cloud environments. The necessity for performing backups and restores arises from the ever-present risks.

By implementing a comprehensive backup strategy, you can mitigate the impact of potential data loss and recover swiftly from unexpected incidents. The step-by-step guide provided in this article empowers you to utilize Windows Server 2022's built-in backup tool effectively, ensuring that valuable data remains protected and readily restorable.