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easy way to backup files on windows server 2008 / get admin administrator access to user data folders

want to do a quick backup of files on a windows server 2008 (although likely the same answer for most any os.

logged into the server as a domain admin. don't have permissions to userdata folders to just copy the files onto an external hard drive.

is there a simple / clean way to be able to get access? I can take ownership, but that may break things. seems the admin should be able to see into those folders to see if the user has loads of music, etc. right?

BeGentleWithMe-INeedHelp

ASKER

i was going to just run windows server backup, but it says it's not installed. i guess I can do that (and then that runs at a higher level that ignores file / folder permissions?

I'd like to be able to see things on an ongoing basis, to clean temp / old files, etc.

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Haresh Nikumbh

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SOLUTION

Cliff Galiher

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BeGentleWithMe-INeedHelp

ASKER

You'll set yourself up for pain. : (

yeah, wanted to do a file by file backup / didn't want to install a backup app and risk the need to reboot the server - it hasn't been rebooted since January and I don't want to be the one that gets stuck holding the bag when it doesn't come back up : )

I installed windows server backup, it didn't need a reboot and I ran that. can't really see that all the files got backed up though. Have to go on faith? Or I guess I could restore the data somewhere else, then take ownership of the folders there and see them. but won't know if anything's missing : (