NTBackup

NTBackup
Original author(s)Arcada Software
Conner Software
Seagate Software
Developer(s)Microsoft
Veritas Software
Initial releaseJuly 27, 1993; 31 years ago (1993-07-27)
Included withWindows NT 3.51, NT 4, 2000, XP, and Server 2003
SuccessorBackup and Restore and WBAdmin
TypeBackup software
LicenseProprietary commercial software
Websitelearn.microsoft.com/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/ntbackup

NTBackup (also known as Windows Backup[1]: 20.1  and Backup Utility[1]: 20.4 ) is the first built-in backup utility of the Windows NT family. It was introduced with Windows NT 3.51. NTBackup comprises a GUI (wizard-style) and a command-line utility to create, customize, and manage backups. It takes advantage of Shadow Copy (to create backups) and Task Scheduler (to schedule them). NTBackup stores backups in the BKF file format (a proprietary format at the time) on external sources, e.g., floppy disks, hard drives, tape drives, and Zip drives. When used with tape drives, NTBackup uses the Microsoft Tape Format (MTF),[2] which is also used by BackupAssist, Backup Exec, and Veeam Backup & Replication[3] and is compatible with BKF.[4]

Starting with Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, NTBackup is replaced by Backup and Restore and Windows Server Backup. In addition to their corresponding GUIs, the command-line utility WBAdmin can operate both. The new backup system provides similar functionality but uses the Virtual Hard Disk file format to back up content. Neither Backup and Restore nor Windows Server Backup support the use of tape drives.[5] To and restore NTBackup's BKF files, Microsoft has made available the NTBackup Restore utility for Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2.[6]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference xp270 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Media Sets, Media Families, and Backup Sets (SQL Server)". SQL Server Documentation. Microsoft. 2023-03-03 – via Microsoft Learn.
  3. ^ "Archiving to Tape: Best Practices".
  4. ^ Win9x & XP & NT MSBackUp File Format and Data Recovery
  5. ^ NTBackup replaced in Windows Server 2008
  6. ^ "Description of the Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2". Support. Microsoft. 2020-04-10.