How to Configure Azure Backup Instant Restore to New VM

When managing virtual machines, don't you always worry about data loss or the recovery process being too complicated? Azure instant restore feature can allow you to quickly restore data to a new VM. Want to know how to do it?

Crystal

By Crystal / Updated on January 14, 2025

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How Azure Backup and Instant Restore Work?

Azure Instant Restore relies on Azure's unique storage and backup technologies. When you enable the Azure Backup feature, the system will regularly take snapshots of the virtual machine's data. These snapshots are not simple full copies; instead, they use incremental backup technology, recording only the changed parts of the data, which significantly saves storage space and backup time.

During the recovery process, Azure Instant Restore utilizes these snapshot data. It quickly locates and extracts the necessary snapshot information and swiftly transfers it to the new virtual machine environment.

azure backup

How to Configure Azure Backup Instant Restore to a New VM [Steps]

In the Azure portal, you can modify the retention period of snapshots, apply the 3-2-1 rule for maximum protection, create Azure backups, and then proceed to instant restore, easily restoring a specific Azure backup to a new virtual machine.

Next are the specific steps to perform an Azure backup instant restore to a new VM.

Way 1. Using Azure portal for Azure Backup and Instant Restore

To restore a VM (create a new VM), make sure you have the correct Azure role-based access control (Azure RBAC) permissions for the Restore VM operation.

💡Step 1. Enable Azure Backup and Specify Retention Policy

1. Log in to the Azure portal. In the Azure portal's search bar, navigate VM Backup Policy under the Instant Restore section. You can change the snapshot retention duration for all the VMs associated with the specific backup policy.

azure snapshot retention period

2. You can also use PowerShell to set the instant restore snapshot retention policy like:

$bkpPol = Get-AzRecoveryServicesBackupProtectionPolicy -WorkloadType "AzureVM"
$bkpPol.SnapshotRetentionInDays=5
Set-AzRecoveryServicesBackupProtectionPolicy -policy $bkpPol

💡Step 2. Instant Restore to a New Virtual Machine

1. Go to Backup Center in the Azure portal, click on Restore.

azure instant restore

2. In Datasource type section, select the Azure virtual machine, and choose the backup instance that you want to restore data.

instant restore vm

3. Select a VM and click Continue. Select a restore point to use for the recovery.

select restore point

4. In the recovery settings window, select the "Create New" option.

azure instant restore to new vm

5. Next, you need to adjust the basic settings of the new virtual machine, including:

  • selecting the appropriate resource group, ensuring that the resource group has sufficient permissions and resources to support the new virtual machine;
  • setting up instant recovery network configurations, such as choosing the appropriate virtual network and subnet to ensure the new virtual machine can communicate normally with other related resources;

configure azure backup instant restore to new vm

6. Finally, select Restore to Azure VM from backup.

A Professional and Powerful Backup and Instant Recovery to New VM

AOMEI Cyber Backup can back up VMware, Hyper-V, Windows PCs and servers, as well as MSSQL servers, making it suitable for enterprises of all sizes with high scalability.

Its instant recovery feature has significant advantages in disaster recovery scenarios, capable of restoring backup virtual machines to operational status in a very short time. Typically, it can quickly recover data and bring virtual machines online only with 3 steps, minimizing business interruption time and ensuring business continuity.

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Step 1. Easily back up the virtual machine through the central console

Click Create New Task tab. Select VMware Backup as an example.

vmware backup free

Step 2. Create a new temporary virtual machine

  • Click Task > Instant Restore, and click New Instant Recovery > Restore from task.

create instant recovery

  • Click Source and select the virtual machine and backup version.
  • Click Restore to and select the target device to be restored to.
  • Configure the hardware settings for the new virtual machine, such as CPU quantity, CPU Cores and memory size.
  • Name the new VM and click Start Restore to perform instant recovery.

start instant vm recovery

Step 3. Migrate the recovered VM to the production environment

  • Click Start Migration on details page to return backup to production environment.

migrate instant restored vm

Conclusion

Azure Backup Instant Restore to New VM provides reliable protection for your data security. By following the steps in this article, you will no longer be at a loss when facing the risk of data loss.

Crystal
Crystal · Editor
Crystal is an editor from AOMEI Technology. She mainly writes articles about virtual machine. She is a positive young lady likes to share articles with peolpe. Off work she loves travelling and cooking which is wonderful for life.