Windows 8 Server Deduplication

Fatih Yüksektepe
November 16, 2011

Microsoft Windows has brought deduplication support to file system with Server 8. You may add deduplication feature to the file server service that you will install without needing 3rd party software.  To activate this feature, run the Server Manager.  Run Add Role and Feature Wizard and select Role Services option under File Services. Select File Server and Data Deduplication options on the right side.

Wait for the installation to be completed. And then come to Server Manager/FileServices/VolumeManager screen. Right click on the Volume that you want Deduplication and select Configure Deduplication option.  The thing you should take care of is that you cannot make deduplication in System section. The section you will make Deduplication should be NTFS formatted.

Select Enable Data Deduplication on this Volume option. When you say Apply, deduplication will start to work. On this screen, you can leave any folder or file domain you want out of deduplication.