Proxmox backups: Proxmox Backup Server, S3 or a remote storage box
A mirror protects you from a failed drive, not from a deleted machine or a bad update. Here is how Proxmox backups work, where to store them, and what we set up for you.
Winservers.NET is an independent service provider and is not affiliated with Proxmox. Updated 2026-10-24.
You do
- Pick a server from the live list
- Tell us which virtual machines you need
- Pay by card or crypto and log in
We do everything else
- Set up Proxmox Backup Server for your virtual machines
- Connect backup storage: S3 or a remote storage box (paid separately)
- Create a backup schedule and retention rules
- Alert you when a backup fails
- Help you restore a machine through a ticket
Why a mirror is not a backup
A ZFS mirror or RAID keeps the server running when a drive fails. But it copies everything instantly to both drives, including mistakes: a deleted virtual machine, a failed Windows update, an encrypted disk after ransomware. Proxmox makes the point itself: deleting a whole virtual machine can be as easy as pressing a single button. Only a backup on separate storage lets you go back to yesterday.
Backups built into Proxmox VE
Proxmox VE has backup and restore built in (documentation checked 2026-10-24):
- Full backups of a virtual machine or container, with its configuration and all data, started by hand or by a scheduled job.
- Backup modes. Snapshot mode backs up a running machine with the least downtime; with the guest agent installed, Proxmox freezes the file systems briefly for consistency. Stop mode gives the highest consistency at the cost of a short downtime.
- Backup storage can be Proxmox Backup Server, or a file storage such as NFS or SMB/CIFS. Proxmox recommends Proxmox Backup Server on a dedicated host, with NFS as a good alternative.
- Retention rules such as keep the last 3, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly backups, so old backups are pruned automatically.
Proxmox Backup Server
Proxmox Backup Server is a separate free and open-source product made for this job. Its main features, according to Proxmox:
- Deduplication: repeated data is stored once, which saves a lot of space with daily backups.
- Incremental backups: only changes are read and sent.
- Data integrity: SHA-256 checksums and verification jobs.
- Encryption: backups can be encrypted on the client side with AES-256 GCM, and data travels over TLS.
- Remote sync: copies to another site, transferring only new data.
- Ransomware protection through access control, verification and off-site copies.
In practice this means daily backups of all machines take little time and space, and you can restore a whole machine or single files.
Where to store backups
| Storage | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Disk in the same server | Fast restores after a mistake | Lost together with the server; not enough on its own |
| Remote storage box | An off-server copy at a fixed price per month | Paid separately; size it for your retention |
| S3 object storage | An off-site copy that grows with you | Paid separately; providers may charge for storage, requests and traffic |
Proxmox Backup Server can use S3-compatible object storage as a datastore backend. It keeps a local cache on the server (Proxmox recommends 64 to 128 GB) and talks to S3 only over HTTPS. Proxmox warns that S3 providers may charge for storage space, API requests and traffic, so the costs should be watched.
A sensible backup plan
- Daily backups of every machine that matters, at night.
- Retention: for example the last 7 daily, 4 weekly and a few monthly backups.
- One copy off the server, on S3 or a remote storage box.
- Alerts when a backup job fails, so you do not find out on the day you need it.
- A test restore now and then. A backup that has never been restored is a hope, not a backup.
- An extra backup before big changes, such as a major update.
What we set up
Backups are part of our Proxmox setup. We set up Proxmox Backup Server, connect the backup storage you choose (S3 or a remote storage box, paid separately), create a schedule and retention rules for your machines, and set alerts for failed jobs. Need a machine back? Open a ticket and we will help you restore it.
Choosing hardware for the host? See how to choose a Proxmox dedicated server.
FAQ
How do I back up a Proxmox VM?
Proxmox VE has backups built in: you add a backup storage and create a scheduled backup job. The storage can be Proxmox Backup Server, or a file storage such as NFS or SMB/CIFS. We set this up for you with Proxmox Backup Server.
What is Proxmox Backup Server?
A separate, free and open-source product from Proxmox for backing up virtual machines and containers. It stores backups as deduplicated chunks, sends only changes, can encrypt backups on the client side and verifies them with checksums.
Can Proxmox Backup Server store backups on S3?
Yes. Proxmox Backup Server supports S3-compatible object storage as a datastore backend, with a local cache on the server. Proxmox notes that S3 providers may charge for storage, requests and traffic.
Is a ZFS mirror or RAID not enough?
No. A mirror keeps the server running when a drive fails, but it copies mistakes too: a deleted machine, a broken update or ransomware. A backup on separate storage lets you go back to an earlier state.
Can I back up to the same server?
You can, but it does not help if the server itself fails or is compromised. Keep at least one copy on separate storage, such as S3 or a remote storage box.
Are backups included in your price?
We set up scheduled backups with Proxmox Backup Server as part of the Proxmox setup. The backup storage itself, on S3 or a remote storage box, is paid separately.
How long are backups kept?
You choose. Proxmox supports retention rules such as keep the last few, daily, weekly and monthly backups. We set a schedule and retention that fit your machines and storage.
Do you test restores?
Restoring a machine from Proxmox Backup Server takes a few clicks, and we can do a test restore with you. Ask us through a ticket.
Proxmox is a trademark of Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH. Winservers.NET is an independent service provider and is not affiliated with Proxmox.
Get Proxmox with backups set up
Tell us which machines you run and where you want the backups, and we will set it up.
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