Block level backup is a feature of incremental backup. Compared with other backup types, block level backup needs less time and storage space. This post on MiniTool Website shows you more information about this type of backup. Scroll down to get more details.
What Is Microsoft Block Level Backup?
Block level backup is a feature of incremental backup that allows you to upload only changed and added blocks instead of whole files. This type of backup is always done by taking snapshots of the running volume and data is read from the snapshot.
With snapshot technology, you are able to copy the files even if they are in use and even reduces the impact on the performance of your devices during the backup process.
Advantages of Block Level Backup
Less storage space – Block level backup allows you to upload only the changed parts of files instead of the whole files. Data is read from the snapshot, which will decrease the load on the disk with the data.
If you need to back up to cloud storage, block level backup will help you to save some costs on storage space.
Faster upload time – Only the changed part of the file is sent to the backup repository, so the backup process will be much faster.
Disadvantages of Block Level Backup
Although the advantages of block level backup are evident, it also has some shortcomings.
Longer time to recover your data – If you need to recover a single file in the block-level backup, the backup program needs to check all blocks of that file including the initial full backup. Therefore, it will take quite a long time to recover the data.
Less data reliability and consistency – To recover your data, you need all the consequent blocks to remain in their places. If any block becomes corrupted or inconsistent, it will influence the ability to recover the whole file negatively.
How to Create a Block Level Backup?
If you need to create a block level backup, MiniTool ShadowMaker is a good choice for you. This free backup software offers you 3 backup modes: full backup, incremental backup, and differential backup. By default, MiniTool ShaodowMaker adopts incremental backups so as to save storage space to the highest degree. Here, we take backing up files with this program as an example:
Step 1. Run MiniTool ShadowMaker and go to the Backup page.
Step 2. In this page, you can select the backup source and destination.
- To choose the backup source: click on SOURCE > Folders and Files > select the source from User, Computer and Libraries.
- To select a backup destination: go to DESTINATION > choose a destination path from User, Computer, Libraries, and Shared. (You had better choose an external hard drive or USB flash drive to save the data you intend to back up.)
Step 3. If you need to change the backup mode to manage disk space usage, hit Options > tap on Backup Scheme > toggle on this feature manually > choose from Full, Incremental and Differential.
To create an automatic backup, just click on Options > click on Schedule Settings > turn on this feature > set to back up at a specific time point of a day, week, month, or event.
Step 4. Click on Back Up Now to start the backup.
Wrapping Things Up
In this post, we show you a detailed overview of Microsoft block level backup and how to create a block-level incremental backup with a reliable backup software step by step. For more questions when using our product, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Aurelie is a passionate soul who always enjoys researching & writing articles and solutions to help others. Her posts mainly cover topics related to games, data backup & recovery, file sync and so on. Apart from writing, her primary interests include reading novels and poems, travelling and listening to country music.
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