Overview and system requirements

Module: Endpoint Backup v2

Datto Endpoint Backup v2 is a next-generation backup solution offering flexible configurations, seamless integrations, and scalability for businesses of all sizes.

Datto Endpoint Backup v2 is built to address the needs of modern data protection, offering selective backups, differential restore, policy-driven management, and deeper integrations with popular IT tools. Whether you are managing thousands of endpoints for clients or maintaining your internal IT infrastructure, Datto Endpoint Backup v2 provides a flexible and scalable solution.

This guide will help you understand the product's capabilities and make the most of its features for data protection.

NOTE  Datto Endpoint Backup v2 is managed through UniView Portal which is described in the UniView Guide.

Key features

  • Flexible backup configurations: Choose what to back up, set custom schedules, and control costs with policies.
  • Monitoring backups: Quickly restore only the changed blocks, reducing recovery times.
  • Scalability: Manage backups for unlimited devices through centralized policy controls.
  • Data security: Data is always encrypted in transit and at rest, with the option for customer-managed keys.
  • Cross-platform support: Available for Windows x64. macOS and Linux are coming soon.

NOTE  A macOS agent is in early-access release. To sign up, please complete this form.

Best practices

Backup scheduling: Set up custom schedules based on asset type. Servers may need continuous backups, while desktops can be backed up during off-peak hours.

Domain controllers and Active Directory: Datto Endpoint Backup v2 does not support back up of symbolic links now, so restored domain controllers may have broken group policies and other issues. We plan to add the capability to back up symbolic links in Q1 2026. Meanwhile, we recommend using Windows Server Backup to back up the system state. Then, use Datto Endpoint Backup v2 to back up the system state data.

NOTE  Stagger the Datto Endpoint Backup v2 and Windows Server Backup schedules to prevent Volume Shadow Copy Service conflicts.

Microsoft SQL: Datto Endpoint Backup v2 does not support in-flight SQL Server backups. We recommend using the SQL Server native backup commands, then using Datto Endpoint Backup v2 to back up the resulting files.

Regular testing: Periodically test restore procedures to ensure data can be recovered efficiently.

Retention management: Regularly review retention settings to ensure compliance with business policies while controlling storage costs.

Selective backup: Configure backup policies to define custom inclusions and exclusions for folder paths or volumes you choose, so that all of your selected data, and only your selected data, is backed up.

IMPORTANT  When you configure Selective backup, take special notice that inclusion restricts backups.

System requirements

ComponentRequirement
OS
  • Windows 11 Desktop (64-bit, x64, and ARM64)

NOTE  Windows on ARM does not support traditional Bare Metal Recovery (BMR). Systems must be re-imaged using manufacturer-provided recovery images, then files and applications restored separately.

  • Windows 10 Desktop (all 64-bit versions)
  • Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Windows Server 2016
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server 2022
  • Windows Server 2025

Latest updates and service packs should be installed

NOTE  Windows 10/11 Enterprise multi-session is not compatible. If this is your Windows version, please consider Windows Backup for Microsoft Azure.

Hardware

Only 64-bit hardware.

Memory requirements

At least 1 GB of RAM must remain free during normal operations of the production machine for install and backups to run.

File system requirements

NTFS is the supported file system.

Endpoint Backup v2 does not support drives with Windows de-duplication or compression.

Disk space requirements

Each protected volume must have 10% of the volume's total size available.

Network

Allow outbound traffic on port 443 on the following host: *.datto.io

NOTE  Check that throttling settings are applied correctly in your backup policies.

Anti-virus exceptions

Create an exception for the “Datto Backup Agent Service” service with path: %ProgramFiles%\Datto Backup Agent and C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Datto\Datto Backup Agent\*

An example of the Datto Backup Agent Service listing is shown below.

Screenshot of Datto Backup Agent Service listing

Please see Anti-virus Exceptions for more details.

Other requirements

  • The System PATH variable must include PowerShell to allow pairing.
    PowerShell isn't recognized as an internal or external command (external link) has more information.

  • Datto recommends at least 2 CPU cores for the backup agent, depending on workloads. If the agent is experiencing high CPU usage during backups with fewer than 2 CPUs, the production machine may require additional resources.

  • All other backup software should be removed from the machine to be backed up.

  • The system time on the machine to be backed up must be synchronized with a system time service.

  • Endpoint Backup v2 does not support backing up of external, removable, or network drives.

IMPORTANT  Cloud folder locations like Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox are excluded from backups in Endpoint Backup v2.

IMPORTANT  By default, Microsoft automatically excludes certain files, such as .OST files, from being captured in Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) snapshots. For more information, see Why are temp and .ost files excluded from backups?

Note on REFS support

Datto Endpoint Backup v2 does not support REFS (Resilient File System).

If you require REFS support, Datto BCDR provides compatibility with REFS volumes.

For more details, please refer to the following KB article: Datto BCDR REFS Support.

NOTE  The Datto BCDR REFS Support KB article specifically applies to Datto BCDR (On-Prem Datto appliances).
It does not apply to Datto Endpoint Backup v2.

Additional resources

UniView User Guide: UniView Documentation

Character Support: Windows Character Support and Limitations