Allow only system backup
Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Backup\Server Description
This policy setting allows you to manage whether backups of only system volumes is allowed or both OS and data volumes can be backed up. If you enable this policy setting, machine administrator/backup operator can backup only volumes hosting OS components and no data only volumes can be backed up.If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, backups can include both system or data volumes.
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Backup\Server Value name: OnlySystemBackup
Enabled: OnlySystemBackup = 1
Disabled: OnlySystemBackup = 0
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Allow only system backup
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Backup\Server]
"OnlySystemBackup"=dword:00000001More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow only system backup
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Backup\Server'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'OnlySystemBackup' -Value 1 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow only system backup
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Backup\Server' -Name 'OnlySystemBackup' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow only system backup
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Backup\Server'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'OnlySystemBackup' -Value 1 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow only system backup
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow only system backup
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Backup\Server' -Name 'OnlySystemBackup' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow only system backup
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Backup\Server'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'OnlySystemBackup' -Value 1 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.