Backup and Recovery for Microsoft Hyper-V
Storware protects Microsoft Hyper-V on Windows Server through a single lightweight host agent — the one hypervisor Storware backs up agent-based. Full and RCT-based incremental backups, instant restore with Live Storage Migration, and SCVMM and Failover Cluster support, all under one license across your estate.
Key Highlights
One lightweight agent, simple setup
A single agent per Hyper-V host (silent install supported). Everything after that configures like any other platform.
RCT incrementals
Hyper-V's native Resilient Change Tracking reads only changed blocks and follows VMs through live migrations for fast, reliable incrementals.
Instant restore + Live Storage Migration
Boot a critical VM straight from backup storage, then relocate it to production storage in the background.
SCVMM and Failover Cluster ready
Protect standalone hosts, failover clusters, and SCVMM-managed estates under a single license.
Powerful Data Protection Features for Hyper-V
RCT-based full and incremental backups
Resilient Change Tracking tracks changes at the block level, using a three-tier bitmap and a Modified Region Table so change tracking stays consistent across host crashes and live migrations.
Application-consistent backups
Quiesced snapshots through Hyper-V Production Checkpoints capture consistent VM state without shutting down or suspending the machine.
Synthetic backups
Incrementals are synthesized into complete, independent images — no backup-chain merging at restore time.
Instant restore + Live Storage Migration
Mount a VM directly from backup storage and run it immediately; Storage Live Migration moves its data to production storage in the background, with an auto-unmount timer for cleanup.
Granular restore
Recover a full VM, individual virtual disks, or single files — to the original location or an alternate host.
Snapshot management
Schedule and retain snapshots by policy and revert VMs from the Storware UI or the Hyper-V console.
Immutable, air-gapped security
IsoLayer air-gap, immutable backup destinations, retention lock, RBAC and access management, and Keycloak MFA.
Policy-driven scheduling and DR testing
Schedule-driven backups plus Recovery Plans that validate recoverability non-disruptively, before an incident forces the issue.
Open REST API and command execution
A documented REST API for integration, with pre/post command execution to protect databases and custom components alongside the VM.
Technology partners
See Hyper-V protection with Storware in action
Protecting Hyper-V starts with one host agent — from there, Storware runs full and RCT-based incremental backups, takes application-consistent snapshots via Production Checkpoints, and recovers VMs granularly or instantly. Watch the Storware Academy walkthrough for setup, a live backup, and a restore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Storware require an agent for Hyper-V?
Yes. Storware installs a single lightweight agent on each Hyper-V host — the only hypervisor Storware backs up agent-based. Installation is straightforward and supports a silent, scripted mode; the rest of the configuration matches other platforms.
Which Windows Server versions does Storware support for Hyper-V?
Storware documents support for Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025. Confirm the exact supported versions against the current documentation at docs.storware.eu before deployment.
How does Storware perform incremental backups on Hyper-V?
Through Hyper-V’s native Resilient Change Tracking (RCT), which tracks changed blocks at the block level. RCT requires VM configuration version 6.2 or later.
Does Storware support application-consistent backups on Hyper-V?
Yes. Storware uses Hyper-V Production Checkpoints to take quiesced (application-consistent) snapshots without shutting down or suspending the VM.
Does Storware support SCVMM and Failover Clusters?
Yes. Storware protects standalone hosts, Hyper-V Failover Clusters, and SCVMM-managed environments; for SCVMM, the agent runs on the SCVMM server under an account with the required privileges.
Does Storware offer instant recovery for Hyper-V VMs?
Yes. Instant restore mounts the VM from backup storage and runs it immediately, and Live Storage Migration moves its data to production storage in the background. Instant restore requires a synthetic-type backup destination.
What restore options are available for Hyper-V?
Full VM recovery, individual virtual disk restore, file-level restore, restore to an alternate host, restore to the Storware node, and instant restore.
How does Storware protect Hyper-V backups against ransomware?
Through immutable backup destinations, IsoLayer air-gap, and retention lock, which keep recovery points from being altered or deleted.