Exporting backups

The export operation creates a self-sufficient copy of a backup in the location you specify. The original backup remains untouched. Export enables you to separate a specific backup from a chain of incremental and differential backups for fast recovery, writing onto removable or detachable media or other purposes.

The result of an export operation is always a full backup. If you want to replicate the entire backup chain to a different location and preserve multiple recovery points, use a backup replication plan.

The backup file name of the exported backup depends on the value of the backup format option:

  • For the Version 12 format with any backup scheme, the backup file name is the same as that of the original backup, except for the sequence number. If multiple backups from the same backup chain are exported to the same location, a four-digit sequence number is appended to the file names of all backups except for the first one.
  • For the Version 11 format with the Always incremental (single-file) backup scheme, the backup file name exactly matches the backup file name of the original backup. If multiple backups from the same backup chain are exported to the same location, every export operation overwrites the previously exported backup.
  • For the Version 11 format with other backup schemes, the backup file name is the same as that of the original backup, except for the timestamp. The timestamps of the exported backups correspond to the time when the export is performed.

The exported backup inherits the encryption settings and password from the original backup. When exporting an encrypted backup, you must specify the password.

To export a backup

  1. Select the backed-up machine.
  2. Click Recovery.

  3. Select a recovery point. Note that recovery points are filtered by location.

    If the machine is offline, the recovery points are not displayed. Do any of the following:

    • If the backup location is cloud or shared storage (i.e. other agents can access it), click Select machine, select a target machine that is online, and then select a recovery point.
    • Select a recovery point on the Backup storage tab.
  4. Click the gear icon, and then click Export.
  5. Select the agent that will perform the export.
  6. If the backup is encrypted, provide the encryption password. Otherwise, skip this step.
  7. Specify the export destination.
  8. Click Start.