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Backup Folder

Enter the path for the folder that will contain the backup copies of Active Directory.

The folder will contain the .BKF files created by the scheduled backup task.

Each backup file is named ComputerNameYYYYMMDDHHMM.BKF, where ComputerName is the name of the computer, and YYYYMMDDHHMM is the timestamp when the file was created. For example a backup file created on the computer named nexus at 4:15 AM on December 29, 2010, will have the name nexus201012290415.BKF.

If you are connected to a remote server, the path is located on the remote server.

Number of backups to retain

Select the number of backup files to retain. The default is 14 copies for a daily backup schedule and 4 copies for a weekly backup schedule.

The disk containing the folder must have enough room to hold all of the copies. To estimate the size of a backup file, add up the size of the files in C:\Windows\NTDS, C:\Windows\SYSVOL, and C:\Windows\System32\Config. Include an additional 20 megabytes for overhead.

Back up the Exchange mailboxes or the SharePoint database

If the computer has installed Exchange or SharePoint, you have the option to also back up the Exchange mailbox store or the SharePoint database. Check the box Back up the Exchange mailboxes or Back up the SharePoint web folders and database.

These files can be large, so be sure that you have enough disk space for the number of backup copies you want.

For more information see Move the Exchange Mailbox Store and Move the SharePoint database.

Time limit for expired backups

When restoring a backup file, Active Directory generally requires that the backup file be no more than 60 days old. (The limit is 180 days if the AD forest was originally created with Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008.) See Expired Backup.

For more information

See Scheduled Backup and Restoring Active Directory.