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Hello IT Pros,

I am looking for backup software for entire PHYSICAL Windows servers but…I would like the option to restore the entire server as a Virtual Machine. Do you have any recommendations for backup software that will do this? I’ve seen backup software for VM or Physical Servers but I have not been able to find software that will allow me to restore entire physical server backup as a VM (Hyper-V).

5 Spice ups
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This should get you started: Free Windows Backup Solution for PCs and Endpoints

3 Spice ups
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Veeam can do this, so can StarWinds solution. Any reason you don’t want to simply convert the physical install to a VM and be done with it?

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DustinB3403,

No reason, maybe I should…

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Another vote for Veeam Endpoint. I use it to “copy” servers from physical to virtual. It also “forces” you to have a good backup in place. And, after the machine is virtual, you can leave it in place to continue to make incremental backups from inside the VM.

It works only with 2008R2 and later, however.

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Storagcraft ShadowProtect will do exactly what you’re after. We’ve been using it for years.

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In addition, another possible solution in this case would be performing a P2V conversion with the help of Disk2vhd and then backup using Veeam or use use Veeam Endpoint to backup physical host and recover it within a VM.

3 Spice ups
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I’ve done this using Veeam and it works fine so should be a good solution.

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Veeam user also, but Backup Exec can do this now as well. Veeam’s strength is with virtual machines… If you have many physical, then Storage Craft or Backup Exec are good options.

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You can P2V or V2V with various tools but for production you’d better provision your VMs from scratch.