There are so many users who back up their data using the NTBackup Tool in Windows XP, then clean install/upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows Vista and later realize that Windows 7/Vista do not include the NTBackup Tool to restore data from the .BKF archive. If you have critical data contained in a NTBackup file (.BKF) and want to restore it in Windows 7, then this article is for you.
Method 1 (Recommended): Microsoft has now released the Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 to restore data from .BKF archive. See article How to Restore .BKF Files Using Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 for a walkthrough.
Method 2: Using Windows XP’s NTBackup Tool to restore data
Windows XP’s NTBackup executable runs just fine in Windows Vista and Windows 7, provided that the supporting DLLs (given below) are available in the same folder where NTBackup.exe is present. The two DLL files are:
- ntmsapi.dll
- vssapi.dll
If you run NTBackup.exe without these two modules, these errors would pop-up.
After searching the web, I came across the NTBackup files which were packaged within a .cab file meant for use as Bart PE Plugin.
Restoring a .BKF File Using NTBackup
1. Download nt5backup.cab from Plugins by STSanford.
2. Extract the files inside the cabinet file to a folder of your choice.
3. Run the file NTBackup.exe from the folder.
4. NTBackup will indicate that Removable Storage service (removed in Windows Vista & Windows 7). Never mind! This is only required for tape backups. Click OK.
5. In the Welcome to Backup or Restore Wizard page, click Next
6. Select Restore files and settings, and click Next
7. Click Browse. Locate the .BKF file that you want to restore, and click OK.
8. Expand the catalog, select the files/folders you want to restore, and click Next.
9. Click the Advanced button
10. Select Alternate location from the dropdown, and mention the destination path.
Configure the restore options accordingly.
Click Next, and then click Finish.
Whew! You’ve now restored the contents of NTBackup .BKF file in Windows 7.
This procedure should work in Windows Vista, as well.
Related Posts
- How to Restore .BKF Files Using Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7
- Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 Is Now Available
- How to Schedule a System State Backup in Windows XP Using NTBackup
- How to Update the Repair Folder in Windows XP Using NTBackup
- Restore Previous Versions of Registry Hives From System Restore Snapshots in Windows 7/Vista
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@Glenn. Agree. And updated the page. Thanks!
You use the term “image” in regard to the NTBackup .bkf file. It is not a disk-image but rather an archive of files & settings. It should not be confused with tools from Acronis or “Backup and Restore” found in later versions of Windows.
The link, “Plugins by STSanford”, to the page for downloading nt5backup.cab doesn’t work anymore.
Ramesh, I’m lighting a stick of incense to you tonight. Thank you and aloha!
thank you thank you thank you. Worked like a charm. The hardest bit is locating the nt5backup.cab file. A bit of google searching turned up a copy.
Such a simple solution you would think Microsoft would include it by default in their Windows 7 releases. The fact that there is no default way of reading .bkf files from WinXP in Win7 goes to show how much of a toy system Windows really is.
I can still read my old .tar .cpio and backup files from my antique SunOS 4 (showing my age) SS2 box (yes I have one still in service with 64MB of ram!!!). Way to go Unix. Shame on Microsoft.
Just fixed a hugh headache for me!!! Great Instructions!
Thank you sooooooooooo much. Exactly what was needed.
You rock!!! I was at my wits end. Thanks so much.