Knowledge Base

Stopping a backup or restore whilst in progress

Category: How do I?
Date: 13 Jul 2009
Product: SQL Backup
Versions: 4,5,6

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to stop backup and restore tasks. Although this feature is not directly available in the user interface, it is still possible.

SQL Backup does not offer a facility to cancel a backup that is in progress. It is possible, however, to stop the SQL Backup Agent Service while a backup is taking place, which will cancel and running backups and terminate all backup processes.

From the Windows Control Panel, select Administrative Tools, then Services. Locate the SQL Backup Agent Service. For a named instance of SQL Server, there will be a SQL Backup Agent Service specifically for that instance, called SQL Backup Agent - <instance name>. Click the STOP button in the title bar, then start the service by clicking the START arrow.

Stopping the agent when in progress should cleanly stop the running backups that are taking place.