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Azure FileShare Backup Redundancy defaulting to GRS, we want ZRS. How to change?

Kumar, Manohar (KGS) 0 Reputation points
2025-08-05T11:01:36.36+00:00

We currently have ZRS (Zone-Redundant Storage) accounts in our environment. However, while configuring file share backups, we’ve observed that the replication type is defaulting to GRS (Geo-Redundant Storage), which incurs significantly higher costs compared to ZRS.

Additionally, I noticed the message: "Storage Replication Type cannot be changed after protecting items." Could you please advise on the steps to unprotect the item so that we can modify the replication type to ZRS?

Azure Storage
Azure Storage
Globally unique resources that provide access to data management services and serve as the parent namespace for the services.
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  1. TP 131.6K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-05T12:16:29.3466667+00:00

    Hi,

    You will need to stop backup on your shares, delete backup data, unregister the storage account, and then enable backup on your shares, this time choosing a vault that is configured for ZRS redundancy. If you don't have a ZRS vault you will need to create a new one.

    Below article details how to stop protection, delete data, and unregister account:

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/manage-afs-backup#stop-protection-on-a-file-share

    Please click Accept Answer and upvote if the above was helpful.

    Thanks.

    -TP

  2. Kumar, Manohar (KGS) 0 Reputation points
    2025-08-06T09:51:38.7833333+00:00

    Thanks TP, I will try this and will update shortly.

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