Want to create a system state backup quickly by WBAdmin backup? Read this article for detailed syntaxes and parameters. It also offers alternatives to wbadmin.

1. Title: A Complete Review on WBAdmin and Its Commands (with Examples)
Keywords: wbadmin, ntbackup,wbadmincommandline,wbadmindelete backup,wbadminstart
systemstatebackup,wbadmin exe, wbadminstartbackupexample
Description: Want to create a system state backup quickly by WBAdmin backup? Read this article
for detailed syntaxes and parameters. It also offers alternatives to wbadmin.
URL: https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/wbadmin.html
Summary: This article edited by MiniTool company gives an overall review on WBAdmin.
Especially, it describes some common WBAdmin commands including enable backup, start system
state backup, start system state recovery,delete backup, etc. Besides, this article also introduces some
alternatives to WBAdmin.
What Is WBAdmin?
In computing,WBAdminisacommandline utilityintegratedintoWindowsPCoperatingsystems
(OSes) including next-generationWindows11,Windows10, Windows8.1, Windows8,Windows7,
and WindowsVista;aswell asWindowsServers includingWindowsServer2008, 2008 R2, 2012,
2012 R2, 2016, and the latest2019.
WBAdminexe isusedtoperformbackupandrestorationtasksof systems,harddrive
volumes/partitions,all kindsof files/folders,aswell asapplicationsfromacommand-lineinterface.
It isthe command-line versionof WindowsBackupandRestore.
WBAdmin Features
WBAdminisa disk-basedbackupsystem.Itcan builda “bare metal”backup that can be usedto
recoverOSto similaror dissimilarhardware.Typically,the createdbackupfile(s)are inthe formof
MicrosoftVirtual Hard Disk(.VHD) filestogetherwithsome accompanying.xmlconfigurationfiles.

2. The .vhd file canbe mountedinWindowsDiskManagerforviewingcontent.Yet,the .vhdbackup
file isn’tadirect“diskclone”.
WBAdmincan simplifythe creationof systembackupandrestore usingits graphical userinterface
(GUI).Workstationeditionslike Windows7make use of a backupwizardinWindowsControl Panel
while the serverversionisdone viaa (pre-installed)WindowsFeature usingthe Windows
ManagementConsole WBAdmin.MSC.The WBAdminManagementConsolerecoverynomatterfora
single file ormultiplefolders.
Relyingonthe commandline orGUI, WBAdminisable to create a backup that can be easilyrestored
usingjustthe WindowsmediainstallationDVDandthe backupfilessavedona removable storage
device.Once the original copyisdamagedorlost,youcan quicklygetitback withoutreinstalling it
fromscratch.
https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/windows-10-reset-vs-clean-install.html
WBAdminreliesonadifferencingengine toupdate the backupfiles.Once the originalbackupfile is
created, volume shadowcopyservice (VSS) updateschange andsubsequentfull backupstake a
matterof moments insteadof manyminutestakentocreate the original backupfile.Automatic
backupscan be scheduled regularly usingawizard.
Generally,WBAdminsupports2typesof restorationsasbelow.
 Individual file,folder,andsystemstate restore: Files,folders,orthe computer’ssystem
state can be restoredfromthe commandline throughWBAdmin.
 Bare metal restore:With the helpof the Window recoveryenvironment (WindowsRE),you
can complete afull serverrecoverytoeitherthe same serverora serverwithdissimilar
hardware (hardware independentrestore –HIR).
What Is NTBackup?
NTBackupis the predecessorof the WBAdmincommand-line anditwasbuiltinWindowsNT3.5.1,
WindowsNT4.0, Windows2000, WindowsServer2003, and WindowsXP.
NTBackupcomprisesa command-line utilityandasetof wizardinterfacesthatoffermultiple options
to create,customize,andmanage backups.Itisintegratedwithshadow copyand taskscheduler.
NTBackupexe createsbackupsina proprietaryBKFfile formattoexternal sourcesincludinghard
drives, floppydisks,tapes, andZIPdrives,aswell asMTF (Microsofttape format) fortape drives
only.
https://www.minitool.com/news/tape-backup.html
WBAdmin vs NTBackup
AlthoughWBAdminandBackup& Restore have replacedNTBackupsince WindowsVista,youcan
restore NTBackupbycopyingnecessaryfilesfromWindowsXP. And,WBAdmin exe andWindows
ServerBackupreplacedNTBackupsince WindowsServer2008.
As forreadingandrestoringolderbackupscreatedbyNTBackup,Microsoftenable NTBackup
recoveryutilityinWindowsVistaandWindows2008. For Windows7 andWindowsServer2008 R2,
theycan onlyreadBKF files.
The followingisatable listingthe maindifferencesbetweenWBAdminandNTBackup.

3. Backup
utility
WBAdmin NTBackup Backup and
Restore
Windows
ServerBackup
Supported
OSes
 Windows
11/10/8.1/8/7/Vis
ta
 Windows Server
2019/2016/2012
r2/2012/2008
r2/2008
 Windo
ws XP
 Windo
ws
Server
2003
 Windo
ws NT
4.0/3.5.
1
Windows
11/10/8.1/8/7/Vis
ta
WindowsServer
2019/2016/201
2 r2/2012/2008
r2/2008
Backup
file
formats
VHD/XML BKF/MTF VHD/XML VHD/XML
Backup
destinatio
n devices
 hard disks:HDD,
SSD, SSHD, USB
flashdrives,
hardware RAID,
NAS
 Home File Server,
PC cards,Thumb
drives,andvirtual
disks
 Floppydisks,
tapes,and ZIP
drives
hard drives,
floppydisks,
tapes,and ZIP
drives
 hard disks:
HDD, SSD,
SSHD, USB
flash
drives,
hardware
RAID,NAS
 Home File
Server,PC
cards,
Thumb
drives,
and virtual
disks
 Floppy
disks,
tapes,and
ZIPdrives
 hard
disks:
HDD,
SSD,
SSHD,
USB
flash
drives,
hardwar
e RAID,
NAS
 Home
File
Server,
PC
cards,
Thumb
drives,
and
virtual
disks
 Floppy
disks,
tapes,
and ZIP
drives
How to Use WBAdmin?
Afterlearningthe basicinformationaboutWBAdmin,now,let’ssee how tomake use of itto
create/delete abackup,enable/disable backup,start abackup,start recovery,andso on.The
followingcontentwillshowthe instructionsone by one.
Before usingWBAdmin, youhave tobe a memberof the Backup Operatorsorthe Administrators
group,or you have beenauthorizedwithproperrights.If youwantto configure aregularly
scheduledbackupwithWBAdmincommands,you musthave the privilegesof anAdministrator.

4. Besides,youare requiredtorunWBAdminfroman elevatedcommandprompt,CMDor PowerShell.
Justright-clickthe commandpromptapplicationandselectthe Runas administrator option.
https://www.minitool.com/news/how-run-cmd-as-administrator.html
Firstof all,let’spreviewwhat operationscanWBAdmindo.
 WBAdminenable backup: Configuresandenablesaregularlyscheduledbackup.
 WBAdmindisable backup: Disablesdailybackups.
 WBAdminstart backup: Runs a one-time backup.
 WBAdminstart systemstatebackup:Runsa systemstate backup.
 WBAdminstart systemstaterecovery:Runsa systemstate recovery.
 WBAdminstart sysrecovery:Runsa recoveryof the full system.
 WBAdminstart recovery:Runs a recoveryof the specifiedfiles,folders,apps,orvolumes.
 WBAdminstop job: Stopsthe currentlyrunningbackupor restoration.
 WBAdmindelete systemstatebackup:Deletesone ormore systemstate backups.
 WBAdmindelete catalog:Deletesbackupcatalogonthe local machine.
 WBAdminrestore catalog: Restoresabackup catalogfroma specifiedstorage locationin
case of the original catalogon the local computergetsdamagedor lost.
 WBAdminget disks:Listscurrent online disks.
 WBAdminget items:Liststhe itemsincludedinabackup.
 WBAdminget status: Showsthe statusof the running backupor recovery operation.
 WBAdminget versions:Listsdetailsof backupsrestorable fromthe local machine or
anothercomputerif itis specified.
https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/windows-server-backup.html
Next,we will pickoutsome popularWBAdmincommandsandintroduce themindetail.
1. WBAdmin Enable Backup
Thiscommandcreatesand enablesadailybackupschedule ormodifiesanexistingbackupschedule.
If no additional parametersare specified,itwilldisplaythe currentlyscheduledbackupsettings.
wbadmin enablebackup [-addtarget:<BackupTarget>] [-removetarget:<BackupTarget>] [-
schedule:<TimeToRunBackup>] [-include:<VolumesToInclude>] [-
nonRecurseInclude:<ItemsToInclude>] [-exclude:<ItemsToExclude>] [-
nonRecurseExclude:<ItemsToExclude>][-systemState] [-hyperv:<HyperVComponentsToExclude>] [-
allCritical] [-vssFull| -vssCopy][-user:<UserName>] [-password:<Password>] [-
allowDeleteOldBackups] [-quiet]
 -addtarget: Specifythe backupdestination.If youselectadisk,the diskwill be formatted
and all data on itwill be permanently erased.
 -removetarget:Specifythe storage location (asadiskidentifier) thatyou’dlike toremove
fromthe existingbackupschedule.
 -schedule:Specifytimesof daytocreate a backup,formattedasHH:MM andcomma
delimited.
 -Include:Specifythe comma-delimitedlistof sourcestoinclude inthe backup.
 -nonRecurseInclude:Specifythe non-recursive,comma-delimitedlistof itemstoinclude in
the backup.
 -Exclude:Specifythe comma-delimitedlistof itemstoexcludefromthe backup.

5.  -nonRecurseExclude:Specifythe non-recursive,comma-delimitedlistof itemsexcluded
fromthe backup.
 -hyperv:Specifythe comma-delimitedlistof componentstobe includedin the backup.
 -systemState:Createsabackup that includesthe systemstate inadditiontoanyotheritems
that youspecifiedwiththe -includeparameter.
 -allCritical:Specifythatall critical volumesthatcontainsystemstate are tobe includedin
backups.
 -vssFull:Performafull backupusingthe Volume Shadow CopyService.
 -vssCopy:Performa copybackup usingVSS.
 -user:Specifythe userwithwrite permissionto the backuptargetplace if it’sa remote
sharedfolder.
 -password:Specifythe passwordforthe username providedbythe parameter -user.
 -allowDeleteOldBackups:Overwritesanybackupsmade before the computerwas
upgraded.
 -quiet:Runsthe commandwithout prompts.
WBAdminenable backupexample:
wbadmin enablebackup -addtarget:Disk 1-schedule:07:00,21:30 -include:C:,D:programs -exclude:
C:Windows.old -vssFull-password:123-quiet
The above example performsafull backup of C: and D:programs(excludingthe Windows.oldfolder
inC:) usingVSS toDisk 1 at seveno’clockinthe morningand9:30 inthe eveningeverydaywithout
prompts.
https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/0x8078006b.html
2. WBAdmin Start Backup
Thiscommandcreatesa VSScopybackup usingspecifiedparametersanddoesn’tupdate the history
of the filesthatare beingbackedup. If no parametersare specifiedandyouhave createda
scheduleddailybackup,itwill create abackupusingthe settingsforthe dailybackup.
wbadmin startbackup [-backupTarget:{<BackupTargetLocation>|<TargetNetworkShare>}] [-
include:<ItemsToInclude>] [-nonRecurseInclude:<ItemsToInclude>] [-exclude:<ItemsToExclude>] [-
nonRecurseExclude:<ItemsToExclude>] [-allCritical] [-systemState] [-noVerify] [-user:<UserName>] [-
password:<Password>] [-noInheritAcl] [-vssFull|-vssCopy] [-quiet]
For the parameters inthissyntax thathave the same name as those mentionedabove,theyhavethe
same function.So,we will onlylistthe differentparametersbelow.
 -noVerify:Specifythatbackupsstoredtoremovable deviceslikeaCD/DVDare notverified
for errors.
 -noInheritAcl:Applythe accesscontrol list(ACL) permissionscorrespondingtothe
credentialsprovidedbythe -userand-password parametersto
<servername><sharename>WindowsImageBackup<ComputerBackedUp>(the folder
that containsthe backup).
WBAdminstartbackup example:
wbadmin enablebackup -addtarget:Disk1-schedule:07:00,21:30 -include:C:,D:programs -exclude:
C:Windows.old -noVerify -vssFull-password:123-quiet

6. The above example performsafull backupof C: and D:programs(excludingthe Windows.oldfolder
inC:) usingVSStoDisk 1 at seveno’clockinthe morningand9:30 inthe eveningeverydaywithout
promptsand verifyingbackupimagesforerrors.
https://www.partitionwizard.com/clone-disk/volume-shadow-copy-service-error.html
3. WBAdmin Start Systemstatebackup
Thiscommandline createsa systemstate backupof the local computerandsavesiton the specified
location.
wbadmin startsystemstatebackup -backupTarget:<VolumeName>[-quiet]
4. WBAdmin Start Recovery
Thiscommandorder performsarestorationrelyingonthe customizedparameters.
wbadmin startrecovery -version:<VersionIdentifier>-items:{<VolumesToRecover>|
<AppsToRecover>|<FilesOrFoldersToRecover>} -itemtype:{Volume|App |File} [-
backupTarget:{<VolumeHostingBackup>|<NetworkShareHostingBackup>}] [-
machine:<BackupMachineName>] [-recoveryTarget:{<TargetVolumeForRecovery>|
<TargetPathForRecovery>}] [-recursive] [-overwrite:{Overwrite|CreateCopy |Skip}] [-notRestoreAcl]
[-skipBadClusterCheck][-noRollForward][-quiet]
 -version:Specifythe versionidentifierof the backuptorestore inMM/DD/YYYY-HH:MM
format.
 -items:Specifyacomma-delimitedlistof files,folders,applications,orvolumes torecover.
 -backupTarget: Specifythe recoveryaddressthatincludesthe backupthatyouwouldlike to
restore.
 -machine:Specifythe name of the computerthatyou planto restore the backupfor.
 -recoveryTarget:Specifythe locationtorecoverto.
 -recursive:Restore files inthe foldersandall filessubordinate tothe specifiedfolders. Valid
onlywhenrestoringfiles.
 -overwrite:Specifythe actiontocarry out whena file thatisbeingrestoredalreadyexistsin
the same location,Skip,CreateCopy,orOverwrite. Validonlywhenrecoveringfiles.
 -notRestoreAcl:Specifytonotrestore the securityaccess control lists of the filesbeing
restoredfromthe backup. Validonlywhenrestoringfiles.
 -skipBadClusterCheck:Skipcheckingthe disksyouare restoringtofor bad cluster
infomation.Validonlywhenrecoveringvolumes.
 -noRollForward:Allowforpreviouspoint-in-timerecoveryof anapp if youchoose the latest
versionfromthe backups. Validonlywhenrestoringapps.
WBAdminstartrecoveryexample:
wbadmin startrecovery -version:09/15/2021-17:52 -items:C:Users-
backupTarget:47.75.61.86mybackup -itemType:File-overwrite:overwrite
Thisrecoverycommandrestoresthe Usersfolderbackupversion09/15/2021-17:52 on
47.75.61.86mybackup and overwritesthe same folderin the targetlocation.
https://www.minitool.com/data-recovery/recover-overwritten-replaced-files-free.html
5. WBAdmin Start Systemstaterecovery
Thiscommand runs a systemstate recoverytoa targetplace froma specifiedbackup.

7. wbadmin startsystemstaterecovery -version:<VersionIdentifier>-showsummary [-
backupTarget:{<BackupDestinationVolume>|<NetworkSharePath>}]
[-machine:<BackupMachineName>] [-recoveryTarget:<TargetPathForRecovery>] [-authsysvol] [-
autoReboot] [-quiet]
 -showsummary:Reportthe summaryof the last systemstate recoveryafterthe restart
requiredtofinishthe operation.
 -authsysvol:Performanauthoritative recoveryof the SystemVolume(sysvol)shared
directory.
 -autoReboot:Specifytorestartthe systematthe endof the systemstate restoration.
6. WBAdmin Delete Systemstatebackup
Thiscommandline deletes the specifiedsystemstate backups.If the specifiedvolume contains
backupsotherthan systemstate backupsof your local server, WBAdmindelete backupwon’t
remove them.
wbadmin deletesystemstatebackup {-keepVersions:<numberofcopies>| -version:<versionidentifier>
| -deleteoldest}[-backupTarget:<volumename>] [-machine:<backupmachinename>] [-quiet]
 -keepVersions:Specifythe numberof the latestsystemstate backupsto maintain.
 -deleteOldest:Delete the oldestsystemstate backup.
7. WBAdmin Delete Catalog
Thiscommandorder deletesthe backup catalogsavedonthe local machine whenthe backup
catalog hasbeencorruptedor youhave no backupssavedonthe otherlocationsthatyoucan use to
restore the catalog.
wbadmin deletecatalog [-quiet]
https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/delete-backup-files.html
8. WBAdmin Get Versions
Thiscommanddisplaysthe detailsaboutthe available backupssavedonthe local PCor another
machine,includingbackuptime,backupstorage location,versionidentifier,aswell asthe type of
recoveriesyoucanperform.
If you use thiscommandline withoutextraparameters,itwill listall backupsof the local computer
evenif the unavailablebackups.
wbadmin getversions[-backupTarget:{<BackupTargetLocation>|<NetworkSharePath>}] [-
machine:BackupMachineName]
For more infoaboutWBAdmincommands,please referto MicrosoftWindowsWBAdmin.
WBAdmin Alternatives
Justas mentionedabove,WindowsBackupandRestore,WindowsServerBackup,andNTBackupare
the replacementsof WBAdminindifferentsituations, whichmostof you already have knownwell.
Here,we will introduce anotherexcellentcounterpartof WBAdmin.execalled MiniTool
ShadowMaker,whichisa professional andreliable databackupsoftware. Below isabrief guide for
howto use thistool.
SM-Trial

8. 1. Download,install,andlaunch MiniTool ShadowMakeronyourcomputer.
2. Whenit asksfor purchase,clickthe KeepTrial optiononthe upperright.
3. In itsmainUI, move to the Backup tab fromthe topmenu.
4. In the Backup tab,clickthe Source module toselectwhateverlocal itemsyouwant,
files/folders,partitions/volumes, system, orthe entire harddisks.
Alt=MiniTool ShadowMakersystembackup
5. Clickthe Destinationmodule tochoose where you’dlike tosave the backupimage files,
internal locations, external harddrives,orNAS.
6. Clickon the Schedule buttoninthe bottomleftto setup a schedule (daily,weekly,monthly,
or on event) toautomaticallyperformbackupsinthe future.

9. Alt=MiniTool ShadowMakerschedulebackup
7. Clickon the Scheme buttonnexttothe Schedule buttonto specializewhatkindof backup
youwant, full backup,incremental backup,ordifferentialbackup.

10. Alt=MiniTool ShadowMakerbackuptype
8. You can alsoclickthe Optionsbuttonin the lowerrightto do some settingstothe backup,
includingwhichdisksectortobackup,how large the backupimage can be,what filestobe
excludedfromthe backup,backupencryption, backupimage fileintegrityverification,etc.

11. Alt=MiniTool ShadowMakerbackupmanagement
9. Finally,clickthe Back up Nowbuttonto start the backup.
Besides,MiniToolShadowMakeralsohasa setof commandsfordata backup. Youcan run cmd.exe
as administratorandrunthe belowcommand:
cd C:ProgramFiles (x86)MiniTool ShadowMaker(getaccess to the MiniTool ShadowMaker
installationfolder)
system_backup_cmd.exe--help(showthe commandsforMiniTool ShadowMakercommandline
backup)
If you MiniTool ShadowMakerisn’tinstalledin C:Program Files(x86)MiniToolShadowMaker,just
replace itwithyourown path.Then,youcan use the system_backup_cmd.exefollowedwiththe
commandsyouwant to specifyyourownbackup.
Moreover,MiniTool ShadowMakercanalso syncfiles/foldersfromone locationtoanother,clone
the whole harddiskto a newadvanceddrive,create bootable media, bootcomputersviaanetwork,
connectremote PCsand back updata on them……