How to Backup an Entire Windows Server or PC with Active Backup for Business on Synology NAS.
In this step-by-step guide, we'll show you exactly how to set up automated, secure backups of an entire Windows Server or Windows 11/10 computer to your Synology NAS with Active Backup for Business (ABB).
Backing up an entire Windows Server or PC to a Synology NAS using Active Backup for Business ensures robust data protection, minimal downtime, and easy recovery from system failures or ransomware attacks. This license-free tool from Synology offers powerful features like bare-metal backups, and flexible restoration options, making it ideal for businesses and individuals.
Related articles:
- How to Backup Active Directory Server 2016/2012 with Windows Server Backup.
- How to Use Veeam Backup Agent Free to Back up a Windows Server or Windows 10/11.
How to Use Synology Active Backup for Business to Back up an entire Windows or Linux PC to a Synology NAS. *
* Note: With the instructions in this guide, you can create full backups of any computer running Windows Server 2022/2019/2016, Windows 10/11, or Linux.
Step 1. Install Active Backup for Business on Synology NAS.
1. In the DSM, open the Package Center and install Active Backup for Business (ABB).
2. After installation open Active Backup for Business.
3. Now click Activate to activate the product using your Synology Account.
4. Accept the Privacy Statement and then use your Synology Account credentials to activate the Active Backup for Business package.
5. Once the package is activated click OK and proceed to next step.
Step 2. Download and Install Active Backup for Business Agent.
Now proceed to download an install the Active Backup for Business Agent on the Windows Server/PC that you want to back up. To do this:
1. Open Active Backup for Business package on your Synology NAS, select Physical Server and then click Add Device.
2. When prompted, download the Active Backup for Business Agent installer (according your OS architecture 32 or 64 bit).
3. When the download is complete, open the downloaded file and then click Next to install Synology Active Backup for Business Agent.
4. Launch the application when finished and proceed to
5. In the next screen type the IP Address and the required credentials to connect to your Synology NAS device. When done, click Connect.
6. When prompted click OK to connect the ABB agent to Synology NAS.
7. Finally click OK and proceed to next step.
Step 3. Create a new shared folder to store ABB backups.
1. On your Synology's DSM, open File Station and choose Create > Create Shared folder.
2. Type a name for the new shared folder (e.g. "ActiveBusinessBackups" and then change if you wish the folder settings below according your needs. Then, click Next.
3. In the next screen enable any additional security measure your want and then click Next again.
4. Now modify (if you want), the advanced settings of the shared folder and click Next.
5. Finally, review and confirm all the shared folder settings and click Next to create the new shared folder.
Step 4. Configure and Schedule a Backup task for the Server/PC.
After you have created the new folder on your NAS to store your computer/server backups, the last step is to configure a backup job.
1. In DSM, open Active Backup for Business > Physical Server.
2. Select the Windows SERVER/PC where the ABB agent was previously installed and choose Create Task.
3. On the next screen, type a name for the backup task and below choose Entire Device for a full-system backup (including OS, applications, and data) or Customized Volume for specific drives.
Then, if desired, enable data transfer settings (e.g. compression and encryption) and adjust the power settings according to your wishes. When done, click Next.
4. On the 'Backup Destination' screen, select the new shared folder you created in the previous step to save the backup and click Next.
5. Now configure the backup destination settings according your wish and click Next.
6. Now, if the Server/PC is running Microsoft SQL Server or virtual machines Enable the application aware backup feature and click Next.
7. Now set a backup schedule (e.g., daily, weekly) and click Next.
8. On the next screen, customize the retention policy for the backups (e.g. define how long to keep backups (e.g., keep 14 versions of backups) or select the "Advanced retention policy" option and set your own rules. When done, click Next to continue
10. On the next screen, define which users can restore the backup(s) when needed and click Next.
11. On the "task summary" screen, review the backup task settings and if you agree click Done.
12. Finally, select "Yes" if you want the backup to be performed now, or click "No" if you want to "take" the backup at the scheduled time you specified previously.
Step 5. Verify the Backup
After backing up the Server/PC for first time, proceed and ensure that the backup completed without errors. To do this:
1. Open Active Backup for Business > Physical Server.
2. In the right pane, check if the backup process completed successfully, and if so, you're good to go!
How to Restore Windows Server/PC from ABB backup.
A. To Perform a File Restore using Active Backup For Business:
1. Open the Active Backup for Business Portal.
2. In the bottom select from which backup version (date) you want to restore files from.
3. Then locate and select the folder/file you want to restore and click the Restore button.
4. Finally, choose where you want to restore the selected folder/file (e.g. to the same (original) location on the destination SERVER/COMPUTER or to a different folder by changing the restore path. When done, click OK.
B. To Perform a Bare-Metal Restore:
To perform a full system restore (aka "Bare-Metal recovery") of your server/computer, you will need to boot it from a recovery media. To create an ABB Recovery Media refer to this article.
After creating the Recovery media:
- Boot the target machine from the Recovery Media (USB or ISO).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to the NAS and then follow the onscreen instructions to restore the entire system.
- After restoration, remove the media and restart the device.
Conclusion:
Backing up an entire PC to a Synology NAS with Active Backup for Business is a powerful, cost-effective solution for data protection. By following the steps above—installing ABB, setting up the agent, configuring backup tasks, and preparing for restores—you can ensure your data is secure and recoverable.
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
