Top 6 Best Incremental Backup Software for Windows 10 [2021 Guide]
Data backup is an essential part of daily work, and for Windows 10 users, there are several easy-to-use incremental backup software options available. Qiling Backup is highly recommended among these, offering a more effective incremental backup experience compared to the other five software options listed.
Part 1: What is Incremental Backup and Why You Need Incremental Backup Software
With the increasing risk of computer viruses, system breakdowns, and shutdowns, users are recognizing the importance of backing up their data. For those with large data sets, it's recommended to set up different backup types, including full backup, differential backup, and incremental backup, to ensure comprehensive protection.
Incremental backup refers to a method where after a full backup or the last incremental backup, each subsequent backup only needs to back up the files that have been added or modified since the previous one, reducing the amount of data to be backed up.
Differential backups are a type of backup that captures only the changes made to files since the last full backup, rather than backing up all files every time. This approach is more efficient than full backups, which copy all files every time, and more comprehensive than incremental backups, which only record the changes since the last incremental backup.
Users can choose additional functions for the incremental backup, which has no duplicate data, and use third-party Windows incremental backup software to meet backup needs.
Tips: Both differential backup and incremental backup are smart backups that save only the changes made since the last backup, reducing storage space and backup time. The main difference between them lies in the approach they take to record these changes. A differential backup records all changes since the last full backup, while an incremental backup records all changes since the last backup, whether it's full or incremental.
Part 2: Top 6 Best Incremental Backup Software
1. Qiling disk master Backup
Qiling Backup is a reliable incremental backup tool for Windows 10 that offers disk/partition backup, system backup, and file backup options, as well as paid features like file zip and sync.
Pros:
- Solid security
- User-friendly interface
- Highly customizing
- Transparent incremental backup process
Cons:
- Not support event-based backups.
2. Cobian Backup 11 Gravity
Cobian backup is a user-friendly Windows 10 incremental backup software that offers complete functions and flexible use, allowing for automatic backup and synchronization of files in incremental, differential, and complete modes.
Cobian Backup supports backing up data to a local disk, network disk, or FTP disk, and offers compressed and encrypted backups for added security and space efficiency.
Pros:
- Backup frag function
- Simple interface
- Scheduling options
Cons:
- Hasn't updated since 2012
3. Genie Timeline Manager Pro.9.0
Genie Timeline is an easy-Genie TimeLine is a user-friendly and capable incremental backup software for Windows 10 that allows you to easily follow its clear interface to backup your important files. It can automatically backup and restore various types of data, including Outlook mail, favorites, address book, fonts, as well as music files, videos, pictures, documents, data, and folders, giving you peace of mind by safeguarding any files you specify.
Pros:
- Easy to set up the backup type
- Clear interface
Cons:
- No encrypted backup option
4. NovaBackup
NovaBackup is a professional backup tool for Windows 10 that offers an old-style incremental backup approach. It significantly boosts recovery speed, achieving a four times increase, and utilizes a technology that creates an index for backups to enable the fastest import speed.
Pros:
- Highly customizable
- Backup security
Cons:
- Cluttered interface
- Annual subscription model
5. Backup4all
Backup4all is a free, user-friendly backup software for Windows 10 that guides you through a simple backup and restore process with a wizard-style interface. It's easy to get started and supports scheduling, allowing you to back up selectively by file type.
Pros:
- Fast incremental backup
- Unlimited file versions
Cons:
- Only do file backup
6. NTI Backup Now 6
NTI has been working on system backups since 1995 and has developed a comprehensive tool that enables fast and efficient data protection, with a user-friendly interface and six tools to choose from.
Pros:
- Straightforward interface
- Easy backup option
- Continuous backup
Cons:
- Slow full disk image backup
Each of the six incremental data backup software has its pros and cons, but Qiling Backup stands out as a more practical option due to its extensive backup types, secure file storage, and transparent reserve management.
How to use Qiling Backup for incremental backup in Windows 10
To create a complete guide of file incremental backup, follow these steps: first, set up a backup schedule to run at regular intervals; next, select the files and folders you want to back up; then, choose a backup location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage; after that, configure the backup software to create incremental backups, which only save the changes made since the last backup; finally, test the backup to ensure it's working correctly and adjust the schedule as needed.
Step 1. Open Qiling Backup and select "File backup".
You have a lot of important data that needs protection, such as documents, photos, music, and videos, so it's a good idea to back it up regularly.
Step 2. Select the files that you want to back up.
The option at the top right corner allows you to exclude other files and backup only specific file types from a single folder.
Step 3. Select a destination to save your backup file.
Step 4. Click "Schedule" to create an automatic incremental backup.
To schedule a weekly backup, select the "Weekly" option and choose the specific day of the week (e.g. "Sun" for Sunday), then set the backup method to Incremental.
Our software will initially perform a full backup, then switch to incremental backups for changed files every Sunday.
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, so take a little rest and wait patiently.
If you have enough space, you can also select the "Appoint weekly first backup as Full" option, which allows for both a full and incremental backup at the same time, but it takes up a lot of disk space.
Step 5. Click "OK" and then click "Proceed" to execute the full back up.
Once completed, the system will automatically execute an incremental backup on a designated day.
Windows 10 Incremental Backup FAQ
1. How does incremental backup work?
An incremental backup is a type of backup that builds on a previous full backup or incremental backup, only backing up files that have been added since the last one.
2. What is the best free incremental backup software for Windows 10?
1. Qiling Backup
2. Cobian Backup 11 Gravity
3. Genie Timeline Manager Pro 9.0
4. NovaBackup
5. Backup4all
6. NTI Backup Now 6
3. What is the difference between incremental backup and differential backup?
Definition: Incremental backup only saves the data that has changed since the last backup, whereas a differential backup saves all the data that has changed since the last full backup.
Data Security: While differential backups are more useful than incremental backups in case of errors, as they provide a second chance to prevent data loss, incremental backups are still a better option when the last backup exists without errors. In this scenario, the incremental backup can be used to restore data quickly and efficiently, whereas a differential backup would be redundant. However, if the last backup is corrupted or incomplete, a differential backup can be a lifesaver, allowing you to recover data from a point in time when the last backup was still valid.
Save Space: Incremental backups are more efficient than differential backups, as they only store data that has changed since the last backup, resulting in smaller backup sizes, faster backup times, and less storage space required.
4. What are the advantages of incremental backup?
This backup method saves time and storage space by minimizing duplicate data, resulting in a more efficient backup process.
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