Guess what everyone! Look what I found:
Description of the Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2
and I thought they said it couldn’t be done.
The answer posted by Lawrence Garvin above is almost certainly the best means of doing this.
-Alex
All replies
Have you tried this version of NT backup for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008? -Scott
NtBackupRestore_x86.msi or NtBackupRestore_Win64.msi will not install in Windows 7 with a message that this requires Removable Storage Management. Since RSM is not included in Windows 7 how does one access old Backups from Windows XP?
Will the NtBackupRestore program be updated to be compatible with Windows 7?
Perhaps the ideal methodology here would be:
1. Restore to Windows XP.
2. Write to a portable technology (DVD, External USB, USB Thumb) or copy across the network.
3. Backup from Win7 for future restoration to Win7.
The thought of restoring a backup from a previous version of an OS, made from the tools contained within that previous version of the OS, opens a significant opportunity for incompatibilities and issues performing a successful restore. If I had to do a backup/restore across versions of an OS, I’d first choose a tool that I could maintain stability with across both versions of the OS.
As you’ve noticed, the NTBackup utility has been significantly rearchitected from Windows XP to Vista/Win7. It was also significantly rearchitected for WinXP, and for Win2000 before that, all somewhat tied to the coming and going of Removable Storage Management.
To your specific question — it’s highly unlikely that a utility for an OS two revs back is going to be updated (or even can be updated) to support compatibility with the current release of the OS.
Lawrence Garvin, M.S., MCITP:EA, MCDBA
Principal/CTO, Onsite Technology Solutions, Houston, Texas
Microsoft MVP — Software Distribution (2005-2009)
The answer posted by Lawrence Garvin above is almost certainly the best means of doing this.
-Alex
The answer posted by Lawrence Garvin above is almost certainly the best means of doing this.
-Alex
The issue is that NT Backups cannot simply be restored in a format that is compatible with Windows 7. In order to migrate data from an older version of Windows to Windows 7, you should run the backup software from the Windows 7 DVD, which would then generate a file which can be restored under the new OS.
-Alex
The issue is that NT Backups cannot simply be restored in a format that is compatible with Windows 7. In order to migrate data from an older version of Windows to Windows 7, you should run the backup software from the Windows 7 DVD, which would then generate a file which can be restored under the new OS.
-Alex
I think the answer provided by SaMcp1123 is a good one for people who only want to restore files backed up by XP.
However I have questions about those who say ntbackup won’t run on Windows 7. Has anyone tried it? I did, and it worked for me. Maybe those who couldn’t get it to work are people who do what they are told? 🙂 Fortunately I’m not one of those. When ntbackup pops up a window that tells you to quit, start the removable server, and restart, just click OK and keep on going. Of course if your backup is on removable storage, that wouldn’t work. But I presume you could move it to your hard drive.
It seems to me, ntbackup is superior to Windows 7 backup because ntbackup lets you backup what you want, not what Windows 7 backup wants.
Using ntbackup is the only way I’ve found that can clone a partition where Win7 resides. It seems Microsoft has thrown a monkeywrench into the machinery by using hard links, and only ntbackup can handle them. I’ve only tried this while running XP, but I’m guessing it would work while running WIn7. Of course it won’t work if you are running an OS installed on the partition you are backing up.
I think the answer provided by SaMcp1123 is a good one for people who only want to restore files backed up by XP.
However I have questions about those who say ntbackup won’t run on Windows 7. Has anyone tried it? I did, and it worked for me. Maybe those who couldn’t get it to work are people who do what they are told? 🙂 Fortunately I’m not one of those. When ntbackup pops up a window that tells you to quit, start the removable server, and restart, just click OK and keep on going. Of course if your backup is on removable storage, that wouldn’t work. But I presume you could move it to your hard drive.
It seems to me, ntbackup is superior to Windows 7 backup because ntbackup lets you backup what you want, not what Windows 7 backup wants.
Using ntbackup is the only way I’ve found that can clone a partition where Win7 resides. It seems Microsoft has thrown a monkeywrench into the machinery by using hard links, and only ntbackup can handle them. I’ve only tried this while running XP, but I’m guessing it would work while running WIn7. Of course it won’t work if you are running an OS installed on the partition you are backing up.
Each and every time I try to install it a pop-up tells me: «To run Windows NT Backup Restore Utility, you need to turn on or install Removable Storage Management. For instructions about tutning on or installing this feature, go to Microsoft NT Backup Restore Utility webpage. Do you want to go to that webpage?» and terminates no matter whether I select «Yes» or «No» and those are the only options.
There is no option to turn on Removable Storage Management in any version of Windows 7, so, how did you get it to run if no one else in the world can?
I’m not sure what you mean by installing ntbackup. I simply made a folder and copied the three required files to it. Then I click on ntbackup.exe. When I do that, a window pops up with the title «Removable Storage Not Running».
The popup text says:
—————————————————————————————————-
The Backup Utility cannot connect to the Removable Storage service. This servise is required for use of tape drives and other backup devices. Please exit and start the Removable Storage service using the System Services function of the Management Console. Also there is a box to check for «Do not show this message again». There is also an OK button.
———————————————————————————————————
When I click OK, the thing runs just fine.
By the way, here are the files I put in the folder by copying from my XP system32 folder:
ntbackup.exe
ntmsapi.dll
vssapi.dll
Putting these files in the Win7 system32 folder probably won’t work. Win7 has it’s own vssapi.dll which is different from the one XP uses. By putting these files in their own folder, ntbackup will use vssapi.dll from that folder.
P.S. This is the cheapest forum software I’ve ever encountered. Apparently there are no attachments, no embedded images, and no preview.
I should add one more thing. To clone a partition that has hard links, the OS doing the restore must use the same drive letter for the partition where it is restored, that the OS doing the backup used for the original partition. You will probably have to use Disk Management to change the drive letter. This requirement should be temporary. After the restoration, I presume you can give it any drive letter you want.
This means you can’t clone a Win7 partition while you are running the Win7 that is installed on that partition. Actually I would never try to clone or otherwise copy a partition while running the OS on that partition anyway.
At least that’s the way I think it works. I found when the drive letters were different, the hard links weren’t restored.
P.S. Why do I loose the paragraph formatting when I post? I have to edit it after posting or otherwise everything is run together. Don’t you just love forums with no preview? 🙂
NTBackup runs just fine on windows 7 64 bit. I imagine it would run on 32 bit — haven’t tried it.
Copy 3 files from an xp installation into a folder on the Windows 7 machine:
ntbackup.exe
ntmsapi.dll
vssapi.dll
These files are located in c:\windows\system32
Run ntbackup.exe from the folder you created on the windows 7 machine.
Click on do not show this message again when warned that removable storage service is not running.
NTBackup starts up and runs just like on XP.
If you don’t have a spare machine and didn’t dual boot, loading up XP Mode, you can copy the 3 files out off the Virtual XP box to the C: and run it from there. finally got my restore going using that.
Hi — Glad I found this post.
I seriously detest the new «backup for idiots» in Windows 7 that gives zero control to end user of what gets backed up.
I was able to get ntbackup to run with your instructions, and it was able to restore an old backup — BUT, I don’t seem to be able to use it to do a NEW backup running in Win7.
Get a critical error & aborts when trying to start VSS.
Am I missing something, or is XP’s ntbackup just not able to make new backups while running in Windows 7.
And, if I run the backup program under XP (my machine is triple boot — XP Pro, Vista, and Win 7 Home Premium) — it seems I’m unable to do a complete backup of the Win 7 partition with ntbackup because of file permissions. If I can’t make new system backup (able to restore Win 7/system restore) with ntbackup under Win 7, can I do it from XP? And what do I need to do to allow ntbackup under XP to get access to all the Win 7 data?
Alguien sabe si el sistema de backup del windows 7 admite unidades de cintas.
Tengo una HP DDS 4 por puerto usb. Particular
Guess what everyone! Look what I found:
Description of the Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2
and I thought they said it couldn’t be done.
Your link [http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=974674] was just what I was looking for.
I have a 9 year old XP Gateway, an external USP HD and am using ntbackup.exe from the WinXP 2000 CD.
I plan to use a network and migration tools when I get a Win7 (Win8?) box.
But as you note, what if you have a backup file and no XP computer? Like, what if my XP computer was dead? A Backup.bkf is not an ideal migration resource, but I’m sure I’ll be happy to have it if disaster strikes.
NTBackup runs just fine on windows 7 64 bit. I imagine it would run on 32 bit — haven’t tried it.
Copy 3 files from an xp installation into a folder on the Windows 7 machine:
ntbackup.exe
ntmsapi.dll
vssapi.dll
These files are located in c:\windows\system32
Run ntbackup.exe from the folder you created on the windows 7 machine.
Click on do not show this message again when warned that removable storage service is not running.
NTBackup starts up and runs just like on XP.
I just found this will only work with the volume shadow copy disabled. Has anyone else found this and what are the consequences?
Here you can get all the information related your issues.
You will see that is states:
To turn on Removable Storage Management in Windows Vista
- Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Turn Windows Features on or off. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
- Select the check box next to Removable Storage Management to turn the feature on, and then click OK.
To install Removable Storage Management on Windows Server 2008
- Click Control Panel and then click Administrative Tools.
- Open Server Manager, navigate to the Features Summary section, and click Add features.
- Select the check box next to Removable Storage Manager, click Next, and then click Install.
To install Windows NT Backup — Restore Utility
- Click the Download button next to a file listed below.
- To start the installation immediately, click Run.
-or-
To copy the download to your computer for installation at a later time, click Save.
To start Windows NT Backup — Restore Utility
- Click the Start button, click Programs, click Windows NT Backup Restore — Utility, and then click Ntbackup-RestoreUtility.
You will see that is states:
To turn on Removable Storage Management in Windows Vista
- Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Turn Windows Features on or off. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
- Select the check box next to Removable Storage Management to turn the feature on, and then click OK.
To install Removable Storage Management on Windows Server 2008
- Click Control Panel and then click Administrative Tools.
- Open Server Manager, navigate to the Features Summary section, and click Add features.
- Select the check box next to Removable Storage Manager, click Next, and then click Install.
To install Windows NT Backup — Restore Utility
- Click the Download button next to a file listed below.
- To start the installation immediately, click Run.
-or-
To copy the download to your computer for installation at a later time, click Save.
To start Windows NT Backup — Restore Utility
- Click the Start button, click Programs, click Windows NT Backup Restore — Utility, and then click Ntbackup-RestoreUtility.
You must have run off the road and hit your head on a rock. Your link has absolutely nothing to do with Windows 7, so you are in the WRONG place!! You need to see a doctor quickly to get your wounds treated!!
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