> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.eazybackup.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.eazybackup.com/documentation/windows-server-system-state-backup.md).

# “Windows Server System State” Backup

eazyBackup integrates with Windows Server System State to support backing up System State `.vhd` files using the wbadmin technology. This feature is only available on certain versions of Windows Server with the "Server Backup Role" feature enabled.

A Windows Server System State backup may include Active Directory, boot files, the COM+ registration, the system Registry hive, and/or other system files.

A local path must be used for spooling temporary data. Spooled temporary data will be removed once the backup job completes. The selected path

<figure><img src="/files/gVny7QKRMgBO4o7OOY8w" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* must be a bare root drive, and
* must support VSS, and
* must have at minimum 10GB free space, and
* on Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2, must not reside on a "critical" volume
  * You can work around this issue by applying the registry change in [Microsoft KB944530](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/944530).
* must appear to Windows as fixed, not removable - regardless of whether it is physically an internal or external drive
  * You can work around this issue for a removable drive by sharing a folder on the drive, and setting its UNC path as the spool directory

For more information about Windows Server System State backups, please see:

* Backing Up System State Data <https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc938537.aspx>
* Wbadmin <https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc742124(v=ws.11).aspx>

### Restoring

Once you restore the `.vhd` file with eazyBackup, you can use the wbadmin start `systemstaterecovery` command to apply a System State `.vhd` backup to an installed copy of Windows Server.

### Alternative ways of backing up System State

Note that because wbadmin is used, spool space is required. As an alternative, you can back up System State by using the "Application-Aware Writer" Protected Item type. This produces a similar result, but

* no spool space is required; and
* the files are not collected in a `.vhd file` - This may produce better deduplication at the expense of missing bootloader files

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