How to Restore .BKF Files Using NTBackup in Windows 7 and Windows Vista

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 the image. Also, Microsoft haven’t released theNT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 yet (should be out soon), as they released for Windows Vista. If you have critical data contained in a NTBackup image (.BKF) and want to restore it in Windows 7, then this article is for you.

This article assumes two things:

1. You don’t have access to a Windows XP computer to restore the image.
2. You don’t want to wait until NT Backup-Restore Utility for Windows 7 is released.

The 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.

The program can’t start becauseNTMSAPI.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

The ordinal 3 could not be located in the dynamic link libraryVSSAPI.DLL.

After searching the web, I came across the NTBackup files which were packaged within a .cab file meant for use as Bart PE Plugin.

1. Downloadnt5backup.cab from <a target“_blank” href“http://www.stsanford.com/pebuilder/”>Plugins by STSanford</a>.

2. Extract the files inside the cabinet file to a folder of your choice.

3. Run the fileNTBackup.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. ClickOK.

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-1.png” />

5. In theWelcome to Backup or Restore Wizard page, clickNext

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-2.png” />

6. SelectRestore files and settings, and clickNext

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-3.png” />

7. ClickBrowse. Locate the .BKF file that you want to restore, and clickOK.

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-4.png” />

8. Expand the catalog, select the files/folders you want to restore, and clickNext.

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-5.png” />

9. Click theAdvanced button

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-6.png” />

10. SelectAlternate location from the dropdown, and mention the destination path.

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-7.png” />

Configure the restore options accordingly.

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-8.png” />

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-9.png” />

Click Next, and then clickFinish.

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-10.png” />

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-11.png” />

Whew! You&rsquo;ve now restored the contents of NTBackup .BKF file in Windows 7.

<img alt“” src“http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/q4-09/w7-ntbackup-12.png” />

This procedure should work in Windows Vista, as well.

– Main.FredPettis - 2010-08-14