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When I run Windows Server Backup, custom, files and folders, then in the Destination selection, there is only Volume and Share??? Why is this? Why am I forced to use the root level of my local secondary drive to backup files and folders? I know there are other programs to do file level backups, even free ones, but I need something that will backup files that are 'in use' for specific reasons. so my question, how can I select a specific folder as the destination?

Tom G11
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  • Create a shared folder on your backup drive. Select that shared folder (via UNC path) as the backup destination. – joeqwerty Oct 15 '14 at 22:48
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    Bear in mind that doing what @joeqwerty suggests will limit you to keeping a single generation of backup (because VSS isn't supported on UNC-based destinations). – Evan Anderson Oct 15 '14 at 22:56
  • My bad. I glossed over the `in use` part of the question. – joeqwerty Oct 15 '14 at 23:20

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As Evan Anderson's comment says, Windows Server backup uses VSS to store backups unless it's writing to a network share. This is why your backup storage disk is hidden from Windows explorer (and you, unless you're using specialized tools): VSS wants to choose where to write the backups.

Because VSS isn't supported on UNC destinations, you'll only be able to keep a single backup if you back up to a share.

Other possible issues include (C&Ped from Microsoft's docs):

  • If you are using a virtual hard disk to store backups and if the virtual hard disk is on a physical disk that contains system volumes
    or critical volumes, there may be limitations to what you can
    recover. In addition, virtual volume files will be excluded from the
    backup if the virtual volumes are online. For more information about
    working with virtual hard disks, see
    http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=143712.
  • If you are using a dynamic disk instead of a basic disk to store backups, you will not be able to perform bare metal recoveries with
    backups stored on the dynamic disk. However, you will be able to
    perform other types of recoveries. For more information about using
    dynamic disks, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=143750.

I'd recommend using a specific disk solely for backups.

Katherine Villyard
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  • thanks for the reply. in this case I just want to backup a local folder on drive c: ('in use files') and put them anywhere on my local server , then back them up using backupassist to a remote location. – Tom G11 Oct 16 '14 at 02:43
  • Also to add, I still don't understand why the destination folder is not s electable. especially if it's on a separate partition. – Tom G11 Oct 16 '14 at 03:06
  • VSS doesn't store snapshots in "normal" NTFS locations. Windows Server Backup uses VSS snapshots to store backups. You cannot choose where to store a VSS snapshot. If you choose to store your backup on a network share, you may only store one copy because Windows Server Backup cannot store multiple copies in a network share because it cannot use VSS on a share. – Katherine Villyard Oct 16 '14 at 03:53
  • Thanks. I guess I'm just curious why they chose to do it this way. Windows Server Backup creates the snapshot of the selected folders, I use another third party program to move those backups elsewhere. This should be doable with one step but I guess MS chose not do. – Tom G11 Oct 16 '14 at 04:03
  • Yeah, I assume they assume you're going to use their product, period. If you feel like other people would benefit from the feature you can always [suggest it](https://connect.microsoft.com/), but I don't imagine it'll be a high priority. – Katherine Villyard Oct 16 '14 at 15:02