Free Windows 10/8/7 Incremental Backup

What is Incremental Backup

An incremental backup is one in which successive copies of the data contain only the portion that has changed since the preceding backup copy was made. Put it in a simple way, it is the one that only backs up the changes made by the preceding backup copy.

It provides a faster method of backing up data than repeatedly running full backups. During an incremental backup, only files changed since the most recent backup are included. That is where it gets its name: each backup is an increment for a previous backup.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Incremental Backup

After knowing the meaning of incremental backup, you may want to know about its benefits and shortcomings.

Advantages for this backup type:

It is the fastest backup type since it only backs-up increments
Saves storage space compared to other types
Each backup increment can store a different version for a file/folder

Disadvantages for this backup type:

A full restore is slow compared to other backup types (you need the first full backup and all increments since then)
To restore the latest version of an individual file the increment that contains it must be found first

Reasons for Backing up Windows 10/8/7 Incrementally

Windows 10 incremental backups are desirable by Windows 10 practitioners who set their mind on a safe and smooth running of the new OS. Why is that? The purpose of doing a backup is to restore the duplicate data of the lost or deleted one, while an incremental backup is to preserve and protect data by creating copies that are based on the differences in those data thus minimize the amount of time needed to perform the backup, taking the least storage space on the backup media as well.

Qiling Backup supports incremental backups and offers a solution for the slow restore disadvantage. The newest version has improved its performance greatly. You can download this free backup software to back up Windows 10/8/7 incrementally and all contents on your PC with ease now.

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Tried and True Steps to Create an Incremental Backup

Here, we'll take incremental file backup for example. Follow these steps below and create an incremental backup schedule.

Step 1: Open Qiling Backup and select "File backup" as the backup mode.

You may have a large amount of vital data to be protected as time goes on, such as documents, pictures, music, and videos, etc. It is always a good habit to have a backup on a regular basis.

Step 2. Select the files that you want to back up.

Tick the option at the top left corner named User Defined, you can browse to back up one or some specific file types on your computer or external storage device.

If you just want to back up one or some specific file types from one folder, the option at the top right corner can help you exclude other files.

Step 3. Select a destination to save your backup file.

Step 4. Click "Schedule" to create an automatic incremental backup.

For example, if you want to back up these files every Sunday, select "Weekly", and select "Sun". Then, set the backup method as Incremental.

Our software will start with a full backup for the first time. After that, it will execute a backup task for only changed files every Sunday.

Notice:

Here's a warm tip for you. Since it's the first-time backup for creating a full backup image, the process normally takes longer as it needs to image all selected files. Have a little rest and wait patiently.

If you have enough space, you can also select the "Appoint weekly first backup as Full" option. This option enables you to take a full backup and an incremental backup at the same time. But it takes a lot of disk space.

Step 5. Click "Proceed" to execute the full back up.

Once done, it will automatically execute an incremental backup on a set day.

Besides incremental file backup, Qiling Backup also provides System Backup and Recovery, Email Backup, and Disk Clone functions. With this powerful backup software, your life will be easy! Why not have a try now! Just download to get the best backup & recovery software!