Can i use rsync to back up file on windows server?

Yes, you can use rsync to back up files on a Windows Server, but it's not native; you need to use Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for a modern approach or tools like cwRsync for older methods, with WSL being recommended for easier integration and compatibility with Linux environments, enabling efficient, scriptable backups using SSH for secure transfer. 

This video provides an overview of how rsync can be used for backups:

1m

Nielsen Networking

YouTube • Aug 3, 2023

Recommended Method: Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

1. Enable WSL: Install a Linux distribution (like Ubuntu) from the Microsoft Store on your Windows Server.
2. Install rsync: Open your WSL terminal and run sudo apt install rsync openssh-client.
3. Access Windows Files: Mount your Windows directories within WSL (e.g., /mnt/c/) to access them.
4. Run rsync: Use standard rsync commands like rsync -avz /mnt/c/path/to/source/ user@remote:/path/to/backup/ for secure, efficient transfers, often over SSH. 

This video demonstrates how to install and use rsync on Windows via WSL:

50s

Tony Teaches Tech

YouTube • Aug 18, 2022

Other Options

• cwRsync: A Windows-specific distribution of rsync, though setup for unattended backups can be challenging.
• Linux VM: Run a full Linux VM on the server and use rsync within that environment. 

Key Considerations

• SSH: For network backups, ensure OpenSSH server is running on the destination, and set up SSH keys for passwordless authentication for scripts.
• Snapshotting: rsync can overwrite, so consider snapshotting techniques or tools with versioning (like Restic/Borg) for better recovery, notes Reddit user on Reddit.
• Alternatives: For simpler needs, PowerShell/Batch scripts with robocopy or dedicated tools like FreeFileSync or BackupAssist (with rsync module) are alternatives, mention Server Fault user and BackupAssist.