We are working on incremental backups for Proxmox VE virtual machines in Bareos.
The first prototype is working and we are now moving on to implementing the functionality, the feature is currently planned for Bareos 26.
Backup only what has changed
The new incremental backup will work based on changed blocks. After an initial full backup, Bareos will identify which blocks of a virtual machine have changed and process only those changes in backups.
The thing is, for larger virtual machines this can significantly reduce the amount of data that needs to be processed and also shorten backup times compared with creating another full backup.
The approach is comparable to the technology Bareos already uses for incremental VM backups with VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V.
An important feature for Proxmox environments
Incremental VM backup is something we are regularly asked about by users running or evaluating Proxmox VE. Adding changed-block incremental backups will make it possible to protect Proxmox virtual machines more efficiently.
The integration is planned for Bareos 26, which is expected to be released in November 2026 and will also include the new WebUI and other improvements.
Want to hear more about Bareos 26?
We will discuss Bareos 26, the new WebUI and other upcoming features at the Bareos Expert Circle on 24 September 2026.
Registration: https://www.bareos.com/meet/