Why can't I back up the system state on my Windows 2000 Server system?

John Savill

February 4, 2004

1 Min Read
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A. The system state contains core system elements such as Active Directory (AD); the System Volume (Sysvol), the machine's domain controller (DC) status (i.e., whether the system is a DC); the boot files; the registry; and COM+ configuration information. To back up the system state, the user must have "Back up files and directories" and "Restore files and directories" rights; otherwise, the option to back up the system state might be unavailable in Windows Backup. To grant these rights, perform the following steps:

  1. Log on to a DC.

  2. Start the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Domain Security Policy snap-in (go to Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, and click Domain Security Policy).

  3. Expand the Security Settings, Local Policies, User Rights Assignment branches.

  4. Double-click the "Back up files and directories" policy.

  5. Select the "Define these Policy Settings" check box, then click "Add Users or Group."

  6. Click Browse and locate the user you want to add (or a group that the user is in), then click OK.

  7. Click OK to return to the main policy dialog box.

  8. Repeat Steps 5, 6, and 7 for the "Restore files and directories" policy.

  9. After you finish Step 8, close the snap-in and force a refresh of the policies. To refresh the policies, open a command line and type

    secedit /refreshpolicy machine_policy /enforce 
  10. Log off and log on.

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