Merge pull request #311879 from MicrosoftDocs/main

Auto Publish – main to live - 2026-02-17 12:00 UTC

Author: learn-build-service-prod[bot]

articles/backup/azure-file-share-backup-overview.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: About Azure Files backup
 description: Learn how to back up Azure Files in the Recovery Services vault
 ms.topic: overview
-ms.date: 09/26/2025
+ms.date: 02/17/2026
 ms.service: azure-backup
 ms.custom:
   - engagement-fy23
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ Azure Files backup is a native cloud solution that protects your data and elimin
 
 Azure Backup now offers general availability of Vaulted Backup for Azure Files, enabling secure, long-term protection with ransomware defense, cross-region recovery, and compliance-ready retention—all managed through a unified backup policy. For more insights, see the [Microsoft Community Hub blog](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/azurestorageblog/general-availability-vaulted-backup-for-azure-files---boost-your-data-security-a/4395344). To know the latest product enhancements and feature updates in Azure, see [Microsoft Azure Updates](https://azure.microsoft.com/updates?id=482659).
 
+To learn about the supported Azure Files backup and restore scenarios, region availability, and limitations, see the [support matrix](azure-file-share-support-matrix.md). For common questions, see the [frequently asked questions](backup-azure-files-faq.yml).
+
 ## Key benefits of Azure Files backup
 
 Protection of Azure Files provides the following benefits by using *Snapshot* and *Vaulted* backup tiers:

articles/backup/azure-file-share-support-matrix.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: Support Matrix for Azure Files backup by using Azure Backup
 description: Provides a summary of support settings and limitations when backing up Azure Files.
 ms.topic: reference
-ms.date: 09/26/2025
+ms.date: 02/17/2026
 ms.custom: references_regions, engagement-fy24
 ms.service: azure-backup
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ ms.author: v-mallicka
 
 This article summarizes the supported settings and limitations when backing up Azure Files by using Azure Backup.
 
-You can use the [Azure Backup service](./backup-overview.md) to back up Azure Files. This article summarizes support settings when you back up Azure Files with Azure Backup.
+You can use the [Azure Backup service](./backup-overview.md) to back up Azure Files. This article summarizes support settings when you back up Azure Files with Azure Backup. For common questions, see the [frequently asked questions](backup-azure-files-faq.yml).
 
 Azure Backup now offers general availability of Vaulted Backup for Azure Files (Standard tier), enabling secure, long-term protection with ransomware defense, cross-region recovery, and compliance-ready retention—all managed through a unified backup policy. For more insights, see the [Microsoft Community Hub blog](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/azurestorageblog/general-availability-vaulted-backup-for-azure-files---boost-your-data-security-a/4395344). To know the latest product enhancements and feature updates in Azure, see [Microsoft Azure Updates](https://azure.microsoft.com/updates?id=482659).
 

articles/backup/backup-afs-cli.md

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: Back up Azure Files with Azure CLI
 description: Learn how to use Azure CLI to back up Azure Files in the Recovery Services vault
 ms.topic: how-to
 ms.custom: devx-track-azurecli, engagement-fy24
-ms.date: 05/22/2025
+ms.date: 02/17/2026
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-mallicka
 # Customer intent: As an IT administrator, I want to back up Azure Files using Azure CLI, so that I can automate the backup process and ensure data protection effectively.

articles/backup/backup-azure-afs-automation.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: Back up Azure files using PowerShell
 description: Learn how to use Azure PowerShell to back up Azure Files through an Azure Backup Recovery Services vault.
 ms.topic: how-to
-ms.date: 05/22/2025
+ms.date: 02/17/2026
 ms.custom: devx-track-azurepowershell
 ms.service: azure-backup
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ ms.author: v-mallicka
 
 # Back up Azure Files using Azure PowerShell
 
-This article describes how to use Azure PowerShell to back up Azure Files through an [Azure Backup](backup-overview.md) Recovery Services vault.
+This article describes how to use Azure PowerShell to back up Azure Files through an [Azure Backup](backup-overview.md) Recovery Services vault. You can also back up Azure Files using [Azure portal](backup-azure-files.md), [CLI](backup-afs-cli.md), and [REST API](backup-azure-file-share-rest-api.md).
+
 
 ## Prerequisites
 

articles/backup/backup-azure-file-share-rest-api.md

@@ -2,15 +2,15 @@
 title: Back up Azure Files with REST API
 description: Learn how to use REST API to back up Azure Files in the Recovery Services vault
 ms.topic: how-to
-ms.date: 05/22/2025
+ms.date: 02/17/2026
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-mallicka
 # Customer intent: As a cloud administrator, I want to use the REST API to backup Azure Files stored in a Recovery Services vault, so that I can automate the protection and management of file shares without relying solely on graphical interfaces.
 ---
 
 # Backup Azure Files using Azure Backup via REST API
 
-This article describes how to back up an Azure Files using Azure Backup via REST API.
+This article describes how to back up an Azure Files using Azure Backup via REST API. You can also back up Azure Files using [Azure portal](backup-azure-files.md), [CLI](backup-afs-cli.md), and [Azure PowerShell](backup-azure-afs-automation.md).
 
 This article assumes you've already created a Recovery Services vault and policy for configuring backup for your File Share. If you haven’t, refer to the [create vault](./backup-azure-arm-userestapi-createorupdatevault.md) and [create policy](./backup-azure-arm-userestapi-createorupdatepolicy.md) REST API tutorials for creating new vaults and policies.
 
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ For this article, we'll use the following resources:
 
 - **File Share**: `testshare`
 
+To learn about the supported Azure Files backup and restore scenarios, region availability, and limitations, see the [support matrix](azure-file-share-support-matrix.md). For common questions, see the [frequently asked questions](backup-azure-files-faq.yml).
+
+
 ## Configure backup for an unprotected Azure Files using REST API
 
 ### Discover storage accounts with unprotected Azure Files

articles/backup/backup-azure-files-faq.yml

@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 metadata:
   title: Back up Azure Files FAQ
   description: In this article, discover answers to common questions about how to protect your Azure file shares with the Azure Backup service.
-  ms.date: 06/11/2025
+  ms.date: 02/17/2026
   ms.topic: faq
   ms.service: azure-backup
   author: AbhishekMallick-MS
   ms.author: v-mallicka
 title: Frequently asked questions about backing up Azure Files
 summary: |
-  This article answers common questions about backing up Azure Files. In some of the answers, there are links to the articles that have comprehensive information. You can also post questions about the Azure Backup service in the [Microsoft Q&A question page for discussion](/answers/topics/azure-backup.html).
+  This article answers common questions about backing up Azure Files. In some of the answers, there are links to the articles that have comprehensive information. You can also post questions about the Azure Backup service in the [Microsoft Q&A question page for discussion](/answers/topics/azure-backup.html). To learn about the supported Azure Files backup and restore scenarios, region availability, and limitations, see the [support matrix](azure-file-share-support-matrix.md).
   
   To quickly scan the sections in this article, use the links to the right, under **In this article**.
   

articles/backup/backup-azure-files.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: Back up Azure Files in the Azure portal
 description: Learn how to use the Azure portal to back up Azure Files in the Recovery Services vault
 ms.topic: how-to
-ms.date: 07/09/2025
+ms.date: 02/17/2026
 ms.service: azure-backup
 ms.custom: engagement-fy23
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ ms.author: v-mallicka
 
 # Back up Azure Files
 
-This article describes how to back up [Azure Files](../storage/files/storage-files-introduction.md) from the Azure portal.
+This article describes how to back up [Azure Files](../storage/files/storage-files-introduction.md) from the Azure portal. You can also back up Azure Files using [CLI](backup-afs-cli.md), [Azure PowerShell](backup-azure-afs-automation.md), and [REST API](backup-azure-file-share-rest-api.md).
 
 Azure Files backup is a native cloud solution that protects your data and eliminates on-premises maintenance overheads. Azure Backup seamlessly integrates with Azure File Sync, centralizing your file share data and backups. The simple, reliable, and secure solution allows you to protect your enterprise file shares using [snapshot](azure-file-share-backup-overview.md?tabs=snapshot) and [vaulted](azure-file-share-backup-overview.md?tabs=vault-standard) backups, ensuring data recovery for accidental or malicious deletion.
 
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ Azure Files backup is a native cloud solution that protects your data and elimin
 >[!IMPORTANT]
 >To perform [Cross Subscription Backup (CSB) for protecting Azure Files](azure-file-share-backup-overview.md#how-cross-subscription-backup-for-azure-files-works) in another subscription, ensure you register `Microsoft.RecoveryServices` in the **subscription of the file share** in addition to the given prerequisites.
 
+To learn about the supported Azure Files backup and restore scenarios, region availability, and limitations, see the [support matrix](azure-file-share-support-matrix.md). For common questions, see the [frequently asked questions](backup-azure-files-faq.yml).
 
 ## Configure the backup
 

articles/backup/backup-azure-system-state.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: Back up Windows system state to Azure using Azure Backup
 description: Learn how to back up Windows Server system state to Azure using Azure Backup.
 ms.topic: how-to
-ms.date: 02/25/2025
+ms.date: 02/17/2026
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-mallicka
 ms.service: azure-backup
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ To configure the vault, follow these steps:
 
     After you select **OK**, a checkmark appears next to **Backup goal**, and the **Prepare infrastructure** blade opens.
 
-    ![Screenshot shows how to prepare infrastructure.](./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/backup-goal-configed.png)
+    :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/backup-goal-configed.png" alt-text="Screenshot shows how to prepare infrastructure." lightbox="./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/backup-goal-configed.png":::
 
 4. On the **Prepare infrastructure** blade, select **Download Agent for Windows Server or Windows Client**.
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ The initial backup includes two tasks:
 To complete the initial backup, use the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services agent.
 
 > [!NOTE]
-> You can back up System State on Windows Server 2008 R2 through Windows Server 2016. System State back up isn't supported on client SKUs. System State isn't shown as an option for Windows clients, or Windows Server 2008 SP2 machines.
+> You can back up System State on Windows Server 2022 through Windows Server 2025. System State back up isn't supported on client SKUs. System State isn't shown as an option for Windows clients, or Windows Server 2008 SP2 machines.
 >
 >
 

articles/backup/manage-afs-backup-cli.md

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: Manage Azure Files backups with the Azure CLI
 description: Learn how to manage and monitor the backed-up Azure Files using Azure CLI.
 ms.topic: how-to
 ms.custom: devx-track-azurecli
-ms.date: 05/22/2025
+ms.date: 02/17/2026
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-mallicka
 
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ ms.author: v-mallicka
 
 This article describes how to manage and monitor the backed-up Azure Files ([snapshot](azure-file-share-backup-overview.md?tabs=snapshot) and [vaulted](azure-file-share-backup-overview.md?tabs=vault-standard) backups) using Azure CLI. The Azure CLI provides a command-line experience for managing Azure resources. It's a great tool for building custom automation to use Azure resources. You can also manage Azure Files backups using [Azure portal](manage-afs-backup.md), [Azure PowerShell](manage-afs-powershell.md), [REST API](manage-azure-file-share-rest-api.md).
 
+To learn about the supported Azure Files backup and restore scenarios, region availability, and limitations, see the [support matrix](azure-file-share-support-matrix.md). For common questions, see the [frequently asked questions](backup-azure-files-faq.yml).
+
+
 ## Prerequisites
 
 This article assumes you already have an Azure Files backed up by [Azure Backup](./backup-overview.md). If you don't have one, see [Back up Azure Files with the CLI](backup-afs-cli.md) to configure backup for your File Shares. For this article, you use the following resources:

articles/backup/manage-afs-backup.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: Manage Azure Files backups
 description: Learn common tasks for managing and monitoring backed-up Azure Files using Azure Backup.
 ms.topic: how-to
-ms.date: 01/30/2026
+ms.date: 02/17/2026
 ms.service: azure-backup
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-mallicka
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ This article describes common tasks for managing and monitoring backed-up Azure
 
 Azure Backup offers a simple, reliable, and secure way to protect your enterprise File Shares using [snapshot](azure-file-share-backup-overview.md?tabs=snapshot) and [vaulted](azure-file-share-backup-overview.md?tabs=vault-standard) backups, ensuring data recovery for accidental or malicious deletion.
 
+To learn about the supported Azure Files backup and restore scenarios, region availability, and limitations, see the [support matrix](azure-file-share-support-matrix.md). For common questions, see the [frequently asked questions](backup-azure-files-faq.yml).
+
+
 ## Monitor Azure Files backup jobs
 
 When you trigger a backup or restore operation, the backup service creates a job for tracking. You can monitor the progress of all jobs on the **Jobs** pane.