Not only do you not want to waste time constantly performing a full backup of your system, you probably don’t have the space to make it manageable.įortunately, this is where differential and incremental backups come in. Well, not quite - with the sheer size of the data we use today (even on a basic home computer, let alone workplace machines), and the extent to which that data changes and evolves, full backups become inefficient and unwieldy. If a full backup provides a complete picture of your hard drive, surely it makes sense that this is going to be the best way to ensure everything is recoverable, right? What are the limitations of a full backup? When you first run a backup of your computer.There are a number of instances where a full backup should be employed. The single file that’s saved is called an image. It even includes your Windows operating system. What is a full backup?Ī full backup is a complete capture of every part of your computer at a single point in time - or more specifically a comprehensive snapshot of your hard drive.This includes absolutely everything: every bit of data, every photo, every document, application, and installed software.

What’s important is that you select the one that is right for you. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. However, if you’re wondering what the difference is between an incremental backup and a differential backup, and stuck on why and how a full backup fits into all this, this short guide to the different ways you can approach backup will help you to make an informed decision about which solution will best suit your needs.Īs with all things, neither full backups, incremental backups, or differential backups are better than one another. There are a number of different types of backup - that can be confusing, especially if you’re new to the backup software world. Incremental vs differential backup: what are the differences and how do they compare to full backup?

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