Incremental backup

Incremental backup stores all files changed since the last FULL, DIFFERENTIAL OR INCREMENTAL backup. The advantage of an incremental backup is that it takes the least time to complete. During a restore operation, each incremental backup is processed, which could result in a lengthy restore job.
Incremental backup provides a faster method of backing up data than repeatedly running full backups. During an incremental backup only the files changed since the most recent backup are included. That is where it gets its name: each backup is an increment since the most recent backup.

The time it takes to execute the backup may be a fraction of the time it takes to perform a full backup. Backup4all uses the information it has recorded in its catalog file (.bkc) to determine whether each file has changed since the most recent backup.

The advantage of lower backup times comes with a price: increased restore time. When restoring from incremental backup, you need the most recent full backup as well as EVERY incremental backup you've made since the last full backup.

For example, if you did a full backup on Friday and incrementals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and the PC crashes Thursday morning, you would need all four backup container files: Friday's full backup plus the incremental backup for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. As a comparison, if you had done differential backup on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then to restore on Thursday morning you'd only need Friday's full backup plus Wednesday's differential.

Advantages:
  1. Backing up is the fastest
  2. The storage space requirements are the lowest
Disadvantages:
  1. Restore is the slowest
Backup4all supports incremental backup type and offers a solution for the slow restore issue.
To keep the number of stored incremental backups to a reasonable number and reduce the size of the backups, Backup4all provides two options: "Limit the number of stored backups" and "Merge stored backup to maintain the maximum limit" that can limit the number of stored backups. These two options will perform an internal merge to keep the number of stored incremental backups under the selected limit.

Related links:
  arrows Home / Help / Articles
© 2002-2008 Softland. All Rights Reserved.
Free backup software download Backup4all
Take full control of your backup software
Product InfoiDownloadiBuy NowiReviewsiHelpiNewsiAbouti
ArticlesiOnline HelpiKnowledge BaseiVideo DemosiCustomer Support
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.