How do I restore a system state backup from DC?
Ava White
Updated on March 05, 2026
How do I restore a system state backup from DC?
Apply restored System State on a Windows Server
- Open the Windows Server Backup snap-in.
- In the snap-in, select Local Backup.
- On the Local Backup console, in the Actions Pane, select Recover to open the Recovery Wizard.
- Select the option, A backup stored in another location, and select Next.
What is backed up in system state backup?
A System State backup generally includes a copy of any installed device drivers and related files, most of the Windows directory, the Windows Registry, the Active Directory configuration (where applicable) and system files under Windows File Protection.
Can we restore system state backup in another machine?
It is possible to restore the System State to an alternative location. Not all data is restored when you restore to an alternative location. Only the components System boot files, registry files, SYSVOL directory files and Cluster database information files will be restored.
Which command can you run a system state backup?
wbadmin start systemstatebackup
Click Start > Run, typing cmd and clicking OK. Run wbadmin start systemstatebackup -backuptarget:Drive_Letter: If you attempt to perform a System State backup to a volume on which the System State file resides, you see this error: ERROR – The location for backup is a critical volume.
What command can you type to perform a system state backup?
Click Start > Run, typing cmd and clicking OK. Run wbadmin start systemstatebackup -backuptarget:Drive_Letter: If you attempt to perform a System State backup to a volume on which the System State file resides, you see this error: ERROR – The location for backup is a critical volume.
Can I restore a system image to a different computer?
If you install one computer’s System Image into a completely different PC, Windows will find itself dealing with a new set of parts. Other times, a System Image simply won’t work on a different PC. So, to answer your question, yes, you can try to install the old computer’s System Image onto a different computer.
How do I run a system state backup?
To perform a system state backup using Windows Server Backup
- Open Server Manager, click Tools, and then click Windows Server Backup.
- If you are prompted, in the User Account Control dialog box, provide Backup Operator credentials, and then click OK.
- Click Local Backup.
- On the Action menu, click Backup once.
Is it possible to restore system state data using Backup Exec?
Yes, this was possible with older versions of Backup Exec as well. Steps 1 to 12 are for Restoring System State data using BE 2012 Steps 13 to 15 are for Restoring System State data using BE 2010 Step 2: Select “Complete Online restore of a computer, or restore system components”.
Why do I need to Test Backup Exec?
The main reasons for these restore requests are testing to see if restore works, wanting to see what Backup Exec backs up as System State, restore only certain part of the registry hives, need to restore AD as one of the Domain controllers that we did not backup is down and so on. Backup Exec allows the System State data to be restored to a folder.
What are the manual disaster recovery procedures for Backup Exec?
This document includes the following 2 manual disaster recovery procedures: Manual disaster recovery of a local Backup Exec server on a Windows computer Manual disaster recovery of a remote Backup Exec server or remote agent on a Windows computer This procedure restores the computer’s operating system to a pre-disaster state.
How do I restore a backup from a remote computer?
At the Backup Exec server, install the Backup Exec Agent for Windows on the remote computer. Note: After recovery, the Backup Exec logon account will need to be updated and the Backup Exec trust will need to be reestablished for the recovered remote server. On the Backup and Restore tab, select the computer name, and then click Restore.