System State data
You can back up and restore the following system components using Backup:
| • | Registry |
| • | COM+ Class Registration database |
| • | Boot files, including the system files |
| • | Certificate Services database |
| • | Active Directory directory service |
| • | SYSVOL directory |
| • | Cluster service information |
| • | IIS Metadirectory |
| • | System files that are under Windows File Protection |
Backup refers to these system components as the System State data. The exact system components that make up your computer's System State data depend on the computer's operating system and configuration.
Windows XP Professional
The System State data comprises only the registry, COM+ Class Registration database, files under Windows File Protection, and boot files.
Windows 2000 Server family
The System State data comprises the registry, COM+ Class Registration database, files under Windows File Protection, and system boot files. Depending on the configuration of the server, other data may be included in the System State data. For example, if the server is a certificate server, the System State will also contain the Certificate Services database. If the server is a domain controller, Active Directory and the SYSVOL directory are also contained in the System State data.
In addition, if you are running the domain name service (DNS) on a domain controller, the Active Directory portion of the System State data also contains the DS-integrated DNS zone data. The non-DS integrated DNS zone data, which are saved, by default, as *.dns files in the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DNS directory, are part of the boot volume and will be included when you run a complete backup of your computer.
If the server is running the Cluster service, then the System State data will also include any resource registry checkpoints and the quorum resource recovery log, which contains the most recent cluster database information.
Backing up System State data
When you choose to back up or restore the System State data, all of the System State data that is relevant to your computer is backed up or restored; you cannot choose to back up or restore individual components of the System State data. This is due to dependencies among the System State components. However, you can restore the System State data to an alternate location. If you do this, only the registry files, SYSVOL directory files, Cluster database information files, and system boot files are restored to the alternate location. The Active Directory directory services database, Certificate Services database, and COM+ Class Registration database are not restored if you designate an alternate location when you restore the System State data.
Note
| • | You must have certain permissions or user rights to back up files and folders. |
| • | In order to restore the System State data on a domain controller, you must first start your computer in directory services restore mode. This will allow you to restore the SYSVOL directory and the Active Directory. |
| • | You must be an administrator to back up and restore System State data. You can only back up and restore the System State data on a local computer You cannot back up and restore the System State data on a remote computer |
| • | Although you cannot change which components of the System State are backed up, you can back up all of the protected system files with the System State data by setting advanced backup options. For more information, click Related Topics. |