Orphaned MABS

Question

Hi, we have several old backups in Azure that were created from an on-prem Microsoft Azure Backup Server that no longer exists.
If I try to delete the old backups, it says that the backup job needs to be stopped but since I don't have access to the MABS, I can't stop the jobs.

Any way around this?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi @Eric Samuelson
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A, Thanks for asking questions here!
To delete old backups in Azure from an on-premises Microsoft Azure Backup Server (MABS) that no longer exists, please try with these steps:

1. Azure Backup keeps deleted data for 14 days. If you've deleted a backup item, it may still be pending removal. You can wait for this period or contact support to speed up the process.
2. If you have access to Azure PowerShell, run this command to stop the backup job and delete recovery points:

   

   Disable-AzRecoveryServicesBackupProtection -Item $myBkpItem -RemoveRecoveryPoints -VaultId $myVaultID -Force

This will mark the backup item for deletion and remove its recovery points.

1. If possible, set up a new MABS with the same name as the original server. This will allow you to manage and stop the backup jobs directly.
2. Ensure you're managing backups through the correct Recovery Services vault in Azure. You can check for options to stop backups or delete backup data.

Reference link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-manage-vms
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/soft-delete-virtual-machines,https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/azure/backup/backup-azure-microsoft-azure-backup,https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-restore-vms?WT.mc_id=modinfra-16005-abartolo

Please let me know if anything required!

Answer 2

@Eric Samuelson Thank you for contacting us on Microsoft Q&A platform. Happy to help!

You need to follow below mentioned steps to delete your MABS Server from the portal:

1. Go to the Azure portal, select your Recovery Services Vault.
2. Navigate to Settings -> Properties -> Soft Delete and Security Settings then click on update.
3. Make sure that "Enable soft delete and security settings for hybrid workload" is unchecked.
4. If it is not unchecked then unchecked it and click on update.
5. Then navigate Manage -> Backup Infrastructure-> Backup Management Server.
6. You will see your MABS server name on it, select it and click to delete the server.
7. Provide the Server name again and reason for delete then click on delete. This will trigger the job to delete the MABS server and all associated backup items with it.

Please update if you faced any challenges in performing the above steps, if you encounter any error request you to please share the error delete and a screen shot of it.

Please don't forget to close up the thread here by upvoting and accept it as an answer if it is helpful.