Backup Methods

PowerBackup offers three backup methods: Full, Differential, and Incremental. These backup methods are explained below:

• Full backup: backs up all of the selected folders and files.
• Differential backup: backs up only those files that have been added or modified since the last Full backup. These backups are larger, but when you restore from a Differential backup, you need only the original Full backup and the latest Differential backup for a complete set of data.
• Incremental backup: backs up only those files that have been added or modified since the last Incremental backup. These backups are smaller, but when you restore from an Incremental backup, you need the original Full backup as well as each of the successive Incremental backups for a complete set of data.

Note: Though all three backup methods are available the first time you back up your data, it is strongly recommended that you use the Full backup option for your first backup.

On a technical note... The difference between a Differential backup and an Incremental backup lies in how the program handles the Archive attribute of the files that are backed up. (To view this attribute, right-click on a file in File Explorer, then select Properties. The Archive attribute appears at the bottom of the General tab. On a remote drive, you must further click Advanced....) During a Differential backup, PowerBackup keeps the Archive attribute checked - meaning that PowerBackup will again back up the file the next time the program encounters it. During an Incremental backup (as well as a Full backup), however, PowerBackup unchecks the Archive attribute, meaning that the program will not back up the file the next time the program encounters it.

The following section contains a number of sample scenarios that illustrate how PowerBackup handles different backup situations using the different backup methods over a period of four days.