Differential backup

Differential backup contains all files that have changed since the last FULL backup. The advantage of a differential backup is that it shortens restore time compared to a full backup or an incremental backup. However, if you perform the differential backup too many times, the size of the differential backup might grow to be larger than the baseline full backup.
There is a significant, but sometimes confusing, distinction between differential backup and incremental backup. Whereas incremental backs up all the files modified since the last full backup, differential or incremental backup, differential backup offers a middle ground by backing up all the files that have changed since the last full backup. That is where it gets its name: it backs up everything that's different since the last full backup.

Restoring a differential backup is a faster process than restoring an incremental backup because only two backup container files are needed: the latest full backup and the latest differential.

Backup4all uses the information it has recorded in its catalog file (.bkc) to determine whether each file has changed since the last full backup.

Use differential backup if you have a reasonable amount of time to perform backups. The upside is that only two backup container files are needed to perform a complete restore. The downside is if you run multiple differential backups after your full backup, you're probably including some files in each differential backup that were already included in earlier differential backups, but haven't been recently modified.

Advantages:
  1. Restore is faster than restoring from incremental backup
  2. Backing up is faster than a full backup
  3. The storage space requirements are lower than for full backup
Disadvantages:
  1. Restore is slower than restoring from full backup
  2. Backing up is slower than incremental backup
  3. The storage space requirements are higher than for incremental backup

Backup4all supports the differential backup type and offers a solution for the slow backup issue.
In time, the differential can grow to a size that is equal to or larger than with the full version. Therefore the following options can be used to trigger the creation of a new full backup:
  • Make full backup when differential zip size exceeds ...% of full backup (default is 50%)
  • Make full backup when differential zip size exceeds ... (default is 1MBytes)
The system counts the file sizes for the differential and if the selected condition is met it performs a full backup.

Related links:
  arrows Home / Help / Articles
© 2002-2008 Softland. All Rights Reserved.
Free backup software download Backup4all
Take full control of your backup software
homeHome   contact usContact us   partnershipsPartnerships   bookmarkBookmark   Site updated: 29-Apr-2008
DownloadsDownload

Download, install and use Backup4all Professional for free* during a 30 day trial period. Version 3.11 build 304.

Free Download

*Backup4all is not a free backup software, purchase is required to continue using it after the evaluation period.

promotionsSpecial Offers

Current discounts:
- 10% for Backup4all Professional
- 25% for Backup4all Standard
- up to 25% for network licenses
- 20% academic discount

buyBuy Now
Professional edition $44.95
(Save $5)
Standard edition $29.95
(Save $10)
Lite edition $19.95
Buy Now
newsLatest News

Backup4all 3.11 released
March 18, 2008

This new release introduces several fixes and enhancements, such as (read more):
 » Backup4all is now compatible with Windows Server 2008
 » Fully compatible with latest Windows Vista SP1
 » "Clean backup" option now available via command line too
 » Fixed compatibility issue when DEP was activated in Windows Vista
 » More than 80 backup plugins now available
Download the latest version from here: Backup4all 3.11

ReviewsBackup Software Reviews

"Backup4all installed and worked well on the latest Vista release - it is nice to see that this backup program is Vista compatible and that it will even use the Vista Aero theme without difficulties

Backup Software Reviews

The ability to install and run on the latest version of Windows Vista is also a big plus. " [...]

Paul Gunnels, PRO Networks
awardsAwards

Backup4all was rated "Excellent" by SnapFiles.

Rated excellent by SnapFiles

More awards received by this backup program on the Awards page.

Knowledge BaseKnowledge Base

Backup types in Backup4all:
 » Full backup
 » Incremental backup
 » Differential backup
 » Mirror backup

Backup software tutorials in the knowledge base.