Full vs Incremental vs Differential Backup: Which Is Better?

Why Need to Back up Digital Data?

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Accordingly, they can be classified intofull backup, incremental backup, and differential backupthree kinds.

It will introduce the 3 kinds of backups in detail later in this article.

backup, computer (desktop, laptop, notebook, tablet, etc.)

backup, and so on.

Which one is better?

What Is a Full Backup?

A full backup is to back up all the targets you selected as the backup source.

If there are 200 photos there, you will get 200 photos backed up.

Every time you perform a full backup, you will get a similar image file.

The following is a graphic chart showing you how full backup works.

Situation

Day 1: You originally have 200 photos in the Pictures folder and you perform a full backup.

You get an image file of 200 photos.

Day 2: You add another 200 photos into the Pictures folder and now you have 400 photos.

You perform a full backup and get an image file of 400 photos.

Day 3: You make no changes to your Photos and you still have the 400 photos.

You perform a full backup and get an image file of 400 photos.

Day 4: Youdelete 100 photosfrom the Pictures folder and edit another 100 photos there.

Now you have 300 photos.

You perform a full backup and get an image file of 300 photos.

Result:You get 4 images files and they contain 1300 photos in total.

Full Backup Pros

Full Backup Cons

What Is an Incremental Backup?

Day 2: You add another 200 photos into the Pictures folder and now you have 400 photos.

You perform an incremental backup and get an image file of the newly added 200 photos.

Day 3: You make no changes to your Photos and you still have the 400 photos.

You perform an incremental backup and nothing will be backed up.

So, you get no image file.

Day 4: You delete 100 photos from the Pictures folder and edit another 100 photos there.

Now you have 300 photos.

You perform an incremental backup and get an image file of only theedited 100 photos.

Result:You get 3 images files and they contain 500 photos in total.

Incremental Backup Pros

Incremental Backup Cons

What Is a Differential Backup?

You perform a differential backup and get an image file of the newly added 200 photos.

Day 3: You make no changes to your Photos and you still have the 400 photos.

You perform a differential backup and get an image file of the newly added 200 photos on day 2.

Day 4: You delete 100 photos from the Pictures folder and edit another 100 photos there.

Now you have 300 photos.

Then, you perform an differential backup.

You will get an image file of 100 photos, 200 photos, or 300 photos.

Result:You get 4 images files and they contain 800 photos in total.

Differential Backup Pros

Differential Backup Cons

Incremental vs Differential Backup: Which Is Better?

If you value both backup and restore processes, maybe differential backup suits you.

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Incremental vs Differential Backup: How to Do?

Just as mentioned in the above content, you may choose to manually carry out the backup tasks.

Its troublesome, right?

Yes, it’s possible for you to rely onincremental backup software.

Yet, both of them cant let you set up advanced incremental or differential backup.

Lets see how to operate.

To make use of this powerful program, you better firstly download and install it on your machine.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 1.

Launch the software and selectKeep Trialon the upper right.

On its main UI, switch to theBackuptab.

Then, on the lower left, clickSchemebutton to trigger theBackup Schemewindow.

It is turned off by default.

it’s possible for you to decide how many backup image versions to keep on your backup destination.

There, you could view the status of your backup.

Just wait until it finishes.

Way 1. pick the inverted triangle beside Back up Now and choose the backup jot down you prefer.

Way 2. choose the three slashes on the right end of the backup task graphic bar and selectEdit Scheme.

Then, follow the above Step 5 to finish the options.