Consider using Veeam Backup & Replication or Acronis Cyber Protect for backing up clients and server in a domain environment. Both offer scheduled cleanup tasks for client computer backups and are compatible with Windows Server Essentials Edition. They also provide features like incremental backups, deduplication, and replication, which can help reduce storage needs and improve backup efficiency. Additionally, you may also want to look into Windows Server Backup, which is a built-in feature in Windows Server Essentials Edition, but it may not offer the same level of features and flexibility as the third-party solutions mentioned above.
In an enterprise environment with multiple endpoints, performing Windows Server 2016 client backup can significantly reduce operating time, minimize human error, and save overhead costs, all while ensuring scheduled client backup.
Windows Server Essentials Dashboard has a feature called "Client computer backup tasks" to create client computer backups, but the process is complicated, leading some users to seek an easier alternative with similar functionality.
Qiling Backup is a professional client backup software that supports backing up endpoints from various Windows versions, including Windows Server 2020, 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, as well as client computers running Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and XP.
To manage multiple computers, install Qiling Backup on the server computer as the management console, and install the client program on all other computers. This allows you to request control over them and create centralized tasks, such as System Backup, Disk Backup, Partition Backup, File Backup, SQL Server Backup, or Virtual Machine Backup.
The script contains a feature for automated backup cleanup, which can be set up to automatically delete old backups and save storage space.
Preparations for client computer backup:
① Download the client computer backup software on the server computer, offering a free 30-day trial for your convenience.
② Install the Agent setup on all client computers from the Qiling Backup package.
③ Add your Windows client computers to Qiling Backup.
Qiling Backup makes it easy and quick to create a Windows Server 2016 client backup. It offers various backup options to suit different needs, including scheduled backups, incremental or differential backups, and automatic deletion of old backups.
If you happen to have this need, please download this software to have a try!