How to Fix Windows Server Backup Unable to Browse Local Disk

Windows Server Backup provides backup and restore options for Windows Server environment. With it, you can back up the full Server, the system state, the selected volumes, and the specified files and folders.

However, many users report that they encounter backup issues such as Windows Server Backup stuck at “reading data; please wait…”, Windows Server backup service missing, and Windows Server system state backup fails. Today, we are talking about another issue – “Windows Server Backup unable to browse local disk”.

After recovering files and dumping them onto the C or E (data) drive, I moved on to the "Apply restored System State on a Windows Server" and chose to recover from local drives. But the Windows Server Backup application does not display any local drives other than the CD drive.Microsoft

When you try to restore files via Windows Server Backup, you may get the error. Now, let’s see how to get rid of the issue.

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Method 1. Check Your Disk Connection

First, check the connection between your computer and the storage device. For example, if you backed up Windows Server to an external hard drive, try to safely reconnect your external drive. Then, it is recommended to restart the computer. If you are still unable to browse local disk when restoring files, continue to read.

Method 2. Restart Windows Server Backup

Then, you can try to restart Windows Server Backup to fix the “Windows Server Backup unable to browse local disk” issue.

1. Open Windows Server Manager and click Manage.

2. Select Remove Roles and Features and click Next to go on.

3. Choose the Server from the list on which you want to remove roles and features, and then click Next. Then, choose the Server roles and click Next.

4. Uncheck the Windows Server Backup box, and click Next. Finally, click Remove to turn off Windows Server Backup.

5. After that, restart the Windows Server Backup to check if the issue persists.

Method 3. Run Disk Check Tool

When Windows Server Backup can’t browse local disk, you had better check for hard driver errors. You can use the built-in utility Chkdsk in Windows Server. You need to run Command Prompt as the administrator and run the chkdsk C: /f command (replace C with your target drive letter). Then, wait for the process to finish.

Method 4. Scan for Virus

There is a free antivirus program on Windows Server called Windows Defender. It could run in the background to keep your system safe. You should perform a virus scan when you meet the “Windows Server Backup unable to browse local disk” issue. Here is how to do that:

1. Press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings. Go to Update & Security.

2. Under the Windows Security tab, click Open Windows Security.

3. Click Virus & threat protection and click Scan options.

4. You can click Quick scan.

Method 5. Try Windows Server Backup Alternative

If the above solutions are not working, you can try the Windows Server backup alternative. As to backing up and restoring Windows Server, the Server backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker is competent. It supports Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2008.

MiniTool ShadowMaker provides data protection services and disaster recovery solutions for PCs, Servers, and Workstations. It is designed to back up systems, disks, partitions, files, and folders and clone SSD to larger SSD. It allows you to browse the local disk to restore files.

Now, let’s see how to back up and restore files with it.

1. Download, install, and launch MiniTool ShadowMaker. Then click Keep Trial.

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2. After entering its main interface, go to the Backup page. MiniTool ShadowMaker chooses the operating system as the backup source by default. To back up files, choose Folders and Files, then, check the files you want to back up.

3. Then click DESTINATION to choose a target disk to save the backup image. There are 4 locations available – User, Computer, Libraries, and Shared.

4. Then click Back Up Now to start the Windows Server backup process.

Then, you can restore files when you need.

1. Go to the Restore tab, select the file backup image you want to restore, and click the Restore button. If the desired backup is not listed here, click Add Backup located at the top right corner to select the file backup image manually.

2. In the pop-up window, select the file restore version and click Next. Then choose the files/folders to restore and click Next.

3. Click Browse to browse the local disk to choose a destination location to save the restored files.

4. Then, click Start to begin the operation. MiniTool ShadowMaker will perform file image restoration quickly and show you the result.

Final Words

Have you encountered the error – Windows Server Backup unable to browse local disk? How to fix the issue on your PC? After reading this post, you know what you should do – try some ways to get rid of the error and try the Windows Server Backup alternative – MiniTool ShadowMaker.