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Commonly confused · Systems & Data Center

Full vs Incremental vs Differential Backup: What's the Difference?

A full backup copies all selected data every time. An incremental backup copies only what changed since the last backup of any kind. A differential backup copies everything that changed since the last full backup. The tradeoff is backup speed versus restore speed.

Full Backup

Full definition
vs

Incremental Backup

Full definition
vs

Differential Backup

Full definition
Full BackupIncremental BackupDifferential Backup
CopiesEverythingChanges since last backup (full or incremental)Changes since last full backup
Backup timeLongestShortestGrows each day until next full
Storage usedMostLeastModerate, growing
Restore needsJust the fullLast full plus every incremental sinceLast full plus the latest differential
Restore speedFastestSlowestModerate
Archive bit (Windows)ClearedClearedNot cleared
Remember it

Incremental is since the last anything; differential is since the last full.

Exam tip

The classic question: a full backup on Sunday and a failure on Thursday. With incrementals you restore Sunday plus Monday through Wednesday; with differentials you restore Sunday plus only Wednesday's.

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