MS Exchange backup


You can protect MS Exchange against data loss using the Backup Manager. The feature is available on Windows. The following MS Exchange versions are supported:



  • MS Exchange 2003

  • MS Exchange 2007

  • MS Exchange 2010

  • MS Exchange 2013

  • MS Exchange 2016


The minimal backup unit is a database.



Prepare the system for backup


Before you start backing up MS Exchange, please make sure your system is properly configured (this is done just once unless the settings get reset in the future).


1. Disable circular logging


Disable circular logging before you start backing up MS Exchange. This is necessary to keep the database consistent and prevent the loss of recent messages.



  1. Start your Exchange management utility:

    • Exchange System Manager for Exchange 2003

    • Exchange Management Console for Exchange 2007 and 2010

    • Exchange Admin Center (EAC) for Exchange 2013



  2. In the console tree, expand the server object you need:

    • Exchange 2003: Servers > "Exchange-Server-Name".

    • Exchange 2007: Server Configuration > Mailbox.

    • Exchange 2010: Organization Configuration > Mailbox.

    • Exchange 2013: Servers > Databases.



  3. Open the properties of the storage group you are going to back up:

    • In the Exchange Admin Center, click the storage group and then click the Edit icon above.

    • In the Exchange System Manager and Exchange Management Console, right-click the storage group and choose Properties from the context menu.






  1. Unselect the Enable circular logging checkbox (if it is selected). Click to apply the changes.



2. Check vssadmin list writers



  1. Open the Start menu. Run Command Prompt (cmd.exe).

  2. Execute the following command:


vssadmin list writers


  1. When the list of writers is ready, find the "Microsoft Exchange Writer" entry. Make sure its state is "Stable" and "Last error" is set to "No error".



3. Make sure the databases are mounted



  1. Start your your Exchange management utility.

  2. In the console tree, expand the server object you need:

    • Exchange 2003: Servers > "Exchange-Server-Name".

    • Exchange 2007: Server Configuration > Mailbox.

    • Exchange 2010: Organization Configuration > Mailbox.

    • Exchange 2013: Servers > Databases.



  3. In the work pane, check if the status of the databases from this mailbox server is "Mounted".



Configure settings for Exchange replication database backup (if applicable)


By default, the Backup Manager offers the primary Exchange server for backup. If you use Exchange server replication and want to protect the replica server instead, you should specify it before you get down to editing your backup selection.



  1. Open the config.ini file (instructions). Insert the following string to the [General] section:


ProcessReplicationStores=1


  1. Start the Services Console (services.msc). Restart the Backup Service Controller service.


The primary Exchange server will not be available for selection in the Backup Manager after that (unless you remove the setting from config.ini).