# How to Backup Windows Network Shares and UNC Paths

eazyBackup can back up Windows network shares (SMB), however, because eazyBackup runs as a background service user, there are some issues with authentication to be aware of.

{% hint style="info" %}
When possible, the best option would be to to install eazyBackup directly on the device rather than backing up over the network.
{% endhint %}

**Network Authentication**<br>

On Windows, your logged-on user session may have its own mapped network drives. These mapped drives belong to your logged in user session and are not available to background service accounts.

Most UNC shares will require network authentication. If your backup logs show messages like WARNING Lstat: CreateFile \\\\?\UNC\\...: Access is denied., this is likely because the eazyBackup service account is not logged into your network shares.

We will show you how to configure the backup with network authentication to avoid these issues.

#### Here are the steps:

Add a new Protected Item or modify an existing file and folder protected item.

<figure><img src="/files/p5zEZE2mmNsGuJhz4nyG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Name the Protected Item and select the "Files and Folders" backup type and then proceed to the next step

<figure><img src="/files/hg6eSwacGrdjhWZtXXi9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Configure the network share authentication:

Select the 'Custom' tab, Click the "ellipsis" button to reveal the extra options and select "Log in to network share"

<figure><img src="/files/Natuoka0wputcHu405Sy" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Enter the UNC path to your network share
2. Enter the username of an account that has permission to access the network share
3. Enter the password for your network account
4. Test Connection before you proceed.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/mNq6oEkxDkSXOa6iHLlH" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

```
UNC path
\\server-name\shared-resource-pathname 
```

{% hint style="info" %}
When adding the Username, in some cases you may need to specify the network name of the server before the username in this format

`myservername\Username`
{% endhint %}

#### Select files from your network share to include in your backup:

Click the "+" button to open the Select panel.

<figure><img src="/files/dZyZIm70GwHYVL0c0ztM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Click the "Options" button, select "Browse UNC path".

<figure><img src="/files/Cvs1dvvQ3mkMR93Ae0NU" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Type the UNC path to your network share, be sure to use the format shown below and don't forget the trailing slash.

click "OK".&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/iTHhHzGdgBTxZMlc2Ps4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Your network share should now appear in the list of items
* Browse the directory tree and select the files and folders you want included in the backup.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/deLy7KRSYoiPhZ0hNisa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
At this point, if your network share is not visible in the list of items, you may have incorrectly entered the share username, password or UNC path.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

Before you proceed check the following:&#x20;

* You should see your network credentials listed here.
* Any files or folders you selected for backup should be listed.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/lXdtxJxpO9PrTomedEpL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Optionally, run the backup job immediately or allow the backup run according to the schedule you configured.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/1CEhgZG4Rxm4K2oaoBXa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

[eazyBackup](https://eazybackup.com)


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