Part 2: Backup and Restore Files/Folders with Azure Backup Agent

This lab demonstrates how to use the Azure Backup Agent to back up and restore specific files and folders from an Azure VM. The test scenario includes deleting a data folder and some system files, then restoring them successfully.

Lab Environment

VM1: TangBui-VM1 – Azure VM in East Asia region.
VM2: TangBui-VM2 – Azure VM in East Asia region.
Both VMs are connected to the same Virtual Network hv4-vNET1 and managed under the Resource Group hv4-RG1.
Data Folder: C:\Data – test files for file-level backup.
Backup Vault: hv4-TangBuiVaultLab1 – Azure Recovery Services Vault used for both VM-level and file/folder backups.

In the Azure Recovery Services Vault (hv4-TangBuiVaultLab1), go to Backup → Backup goal:
- Where is your workload running? → On-premises (or Azure VM if you want file-level backup).
- What do you want to backup? → Files and folders.
Click Prepare infrastructure → Download Agent for Windows Server or Windows Client & Download the Vault credentials from the same vault. ( 2 files as total) to the server TangBui-VM2 .
Install the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) agent on the VM (TangBui-VM2).
From the VM server TangBui-VM2 → Open the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services agent → select Register Server on the right pane → browse to the Vault credentials file to complete the registration.

Step 2 – Configure Scheduled Backup

Open the Microsoft Azure Backup console from the same VM2.
Select Schedule Backup.
Under Items to Backup, add the folder C:\Data.
In Backup Schedule, set the daily or desired backup time.
In Retention Policy, set how long you want to keep the backup (e.g., 30 days).
Save the configuration.

Step 3 – Run Initial Backup

In the Azure Backup console, click Back Up Now.
Select Files and Folders.
Confirm and wait until the backup job status is Completed.

Step 4 – Test the Data Loss

From the VM server TangBui-VM2 , delete the entire C:\Data folder.

Step 5 – Restore Files and Folders

Open the Azure Backup console → choose Recover Data.
Select This server → Files and Folders.
Choose the latest restore point.
Select Restore to another location , Azure will mount a Temporary Recovery Volume in this case, it`s E:\ partition.
Use Robocopy to copy files back to the original location with permissions: powershellCopyEditrobocopy "E:\RestoredData" "C:\Data" /E /COPYALL /DCOPY:T /R:0 /W:0

Step 6 – Verify Restore

C:\Data is fully restored.
File permissions and timestamps are preserved.

Note:
This method is very useful for protecting critical data on both on-premises servers and cloud VMs.
It allows file-level recovery without needing to restore the entire VM, which can save time and cost in many recovery scenarios.
I will continue part 3 for the System State. Keep watching