Azure Backup allows you to back up and restore files and folders from Windows machines to the Azure cloud using the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) agent. No separate backup server is required. This supports Windows VMs and physical machines, but not Linux.

2. Prerequisites

• Windows Server VM or physical machine.

• Azure subscription.

• Latest MARS agent (versions below 2.0.9083.0 require upgrade).

3. Steps to Configure Azure Backup

Step 1: Create a Recovery Services Vault

1. In the Azure portal, search for Recovery Services → select Recovery Services vaults.

2. Click Add.

3. Fill in:

   • Name

   • Subscription

   • Resource group

   • Location

4. Click Create and wait until the vault appears in the list. Use Refresh if it doesn’t appear after several minutes.

Step 2: Download Agent and Vault Credentials

1. In your vault, click Backup.

2. Set Where is your workload running? → On-premises.

3. Set What do you want to backup? → Files and folders.

4. Click Prepare Infrastructure → Download Agent for Windows Server or Client.

5. Save MARSAgentInstaller.exe to your computer.

6. Check Already downloaded or using the latest recovery services agent.

7. Download the Vault Credentials file and save it securely (cannot be opened directly).

Step 3: Install and Register MARS Agent

1. Double-click MARSAgentInstaller.exe.

2. Follow the wizard:

   • Choose installation & cache location.

   • Provide proxy server info if needed.

   • Install missing software if prompted.

   • Provide vault credentials.

   • Enter and securely save encryption passphrase.

3. Wait for server registration to complete.

Step 4: Create Backup Policy

1. Open Microsoft Azure Recovery Services Agent.

2. If first use, create a Backup Policy via Schedule Backup wizard.

3. Configure:

   • Files and folders to include/exclude

   • Backup schedule (daily ≤3 times/day or weekly)

   • Retention policy (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly)

   • Initial backup type (Automatically or Offline)

4. Confirm and finish.

Step 5: Perform Backup

1. Click Back Up Now.

2. Confirm settings → click Back Up.

3. Status appears on the agent’s main page → View Details for more info.

Step 6: Restore Files

1. Click Recover Data.

2. Follow wizard to restore from:

   • Current server or another server.

   • Individual files/folders or entire volumes.

3. Mount the volume → verify files in File Explorer → unmount when done.

Step 7: Explore Backup Properties

• Encryption tab → change passphrase.

• Proxy Configuration tab → set proxy.

• Throttling tab → manage internet bandwidth usage during backup/restore.

Step 8: Delete Backup Schedule

1. Click Schedule Backup → Stop using this backup schedule.

2. Delete stored backups → Finish.

3. Provide Recovery Services Vault Security PIN (generate in Azure portal → Properties → Security PIN).

✅ Notes:

• The MARS agent is not application-aware (file/folder/volume-level only).

• No Linux support.

• Bandwidth throttling helps avoid network interference during work hours.