Introduction
7
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 all of the
files they contain.
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.
• Differential backup: backs up only those files that have been
added or modified since the last full backup or incremental
backup.
• Incremental backup: backs up only those files that have been
added or modified since the incremental backup.
Note: The Differential backup and Incremental backup features are
only available in the full retail version of PowerBackup.
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. (This attribute can be
viewed in File Explorer under the General tab of the Properties dialog
box.) 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, 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.
