Best backup method?

[BlackManINC]

 So for the average home user, what is the best backup method after doing a full backup? Incremental or Differential? Sounds like Differential is the simplest one, but I need a second opinion.

[Linus No Beard]

4 minutes ago, BlackManINC said:

 So for the average home user, what is the best backup method after doing a full backup? Incremental or Differential? Sounds like Differential is the simplest one, but I need a second opinion.

differential sounds best

[heli1337]

5 minutes ago, BlackManINC said:

 So for the average home user, what is the best backup method after doing a full backup? Incremental or Differential? Sounds like Differential is the simplest one, but I need a second opinion.

Differential

[BlackManINC]

3 minutes ago, Linus No Beard said:

differential sounds best

 Well, but I already have an 8TB HDD. I don't see why I'd need a NAS. I'm not doing anything too serious. Plus a lot of those are kind of expensive. 

Just now, Helly Benchmarking said:

Differential

So it won't take up too much space? That's the only thing I was concerned about. 

[Kilrah]

Just now, BlackManINC said:

So it won't take up too much space? That's the only thing I was concerned about. 

The whole point of differential is to take less time/space...

[BlackManINC]

Just now, Kilrah said:

The whole point of differential is to take less time/space...

Ah, I see..I was a bit confused why certain websites keep saying the incremental is the one that takes less space, but is more complex since it backs it up in bits and pieces. 

[Electronics Wizardy]

What backup program are you using? They all work a bit differently under the hood. 

 

But both of these methods will only store changes.

[BlackManINC]

1 minute ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

What backup program are you using? They all work a bit differently under the hood. 

 

But both of these methods will only store changes.

I'm using this program linked below. What makes this even more valuable is the fact that I can restore my PC using it even at boot time, using either a system image, or file backup. Not sure if other affordable backup programs offer that. 

https://www.easeus.com/backup-software/tb-home.html

[Electronics Wizardy]

7 minutes ago, BlackManINC said:

I'm using this program linked below. What makes this even more valuable is the fact that I can restore my PC using it even at boot time, using either a system image, or file backup. Not sure if other affordable backup programs offer that. 

https://www.easeus.com/backup-software/tb-home.html

Veeam also hase a free version that lets you do a full image backup and restore on a system, or do a file restore.

 

Take a look here. https://www.easeus.com/backup-utility/differential-backup-vs-incremental-backup.html Id probably go incemental as it uses the least space and is fastest..

[jec6613]

On 12/12/2021 at 4:29 PM, BlackManINC said:

 So for the average home user, what is the best backup method after doing a full backup? Incremental or Differential? Sounds like Differential is the simplest one, but I need a second opinion.

Differential and Incremental are functionally the same, and aren't used consistently from vendor to vendor.  Full backup will use lots of space, but you only need one of those a couple of times a year.

 

The simple answer for me is that I use file history on Windows 10, then make a full system image before any major change (usually the 6 month updates).  For most people, the image isn't even necessary, unless you have weird applications the file history will let you get your data back and you can restore Windows easily enough from any flash drive.

 

Third party backup software is nice, but I've watched too many shops be burned by it being compromised, or not restoring when required.  With file history the backup is just a browsable file system.