Why are there multiple .VBK files stored in the same backup folder?

Without knowing much about your Backup Job retention, etc ​@Esayas.T , it sounds like the reason for multiple .VBKs is because of the Backup Mode you’re using is Forward Incremental.

What is your backup schedule and job settings for the Agent backup set to?  If you have the create periodic full or synthetic full selected, that is how additional VBK files are created.  If this is VM backups, then the new per-vm backup chains cause this too.

Check out this KB that explains why you would have multiple .VBKs:

https://www.veeam.com/kb1932

And, to answer your question about removing stale files….yes, one you met your retention, Veeam would delete the old files. If you’re using Fwd Increm, Veeam has to keep older files on your Repo so you can actually restore files (i.e. meet your retention). 

Hope that helps.

Hi ​@Esayas.T as Shane already mentioned it seems that you are using forward incremental with synthetic full backups as described here:

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbr/userguide/forward_incremental_backup.html?ver=13 

​@Esayas.T We could give you more informations if you copy/paste the job configuration.
But it s normal comportement if you are check Active Full or Synthetic Full. 

​@Esayas.T 

Besides the posts from other members above, I would like to recommend that you take some free Veeam classes from Veeam University:
https://community.veeam.com/onboarding-for-veeam-data-platform-163/onboarding-for-veeam-data-platform-10010

And if you want to take it to the next level, you can purchase a course from Veeam University Pro:
https://veeamuniversity-pro.com/

​@Federica 

Hello, I would like to express my concern regarding my ability to configure synthetic full backups or forward incremental backups within the application I am currently using. I suspect that my lack of permission to access these features might be the reason I am unable to find the relevant settings in the free software I downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Could you please confirm if this is the case?

What I seek is this forward incremental backup: I believe my backup process is a synthetic full backup. How can I set up a forward incremental backup?

Hi ​@Esayas.T -

Without you providing additional details of your Job config, I’ll assume you selected a local Repo to store your Backups in.

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/backup_job_drive.html?ver=13

The CE version of VAW should have the settings you need. On the Local Storage configuration page of the Job wizard, click the Advanced button:

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/backup_job_advanced_backup.html?ver=13

If you do not have the “Created Synthetic Full….” option selected, or if you do not have the Active Full option selected, you have essentially enabled your Job to be the Forever Forward method where your Job will have only 1 .VBK (Full) file created at the 1st Job run, then .VIB files subsequently (Incrementals). Selecting either the Synthetic or Active Full options enables your Job to then be configured as Forward Incremental. All you need to do is choose the day you want the Full to be created.

The other Advanced tabs (Maintenance & Storage) provide options to verify the integrity of your Backup files (recommended to configure), as well as optimal storage performance (compression and dedup) settings.

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/backup_job_maintenance.html?ver=13

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/backup_job_advanced_storage.html?ver=13

Hope that helps.

What is your backup schedule and job settings for the Agent backup set to?  If you have the create periodic full or synthetic full selected, that is how additional VBK files are created.  If this is VM backups, then the new per-vm backup chains cause this too.

 

Check on the Destination tab not the schedule tab as there are advanced settings to set synthetic or active full backups which sounds like you want turned off.