Block Level Backup Overview, Pros, Cons, and Practice - MiniTool

Block-level backup is a function of incremental backup. Block-level backups require less time and storage compared to other backup types. This article on the MiniTool website will show you more information about such backups. Scroll down for more details.

What is Microsoft Block Level Backup?

Block-level backup is a feature of incremental backups that allows you to upload only changed and added blocks, not the entire file. Such backups are always done by taking snapshots of running volumes from which data is read.

With snapshot technology, you can copy files even if they are in use, and even reduce the impact on device performance during backup.

Advantages of block-level backup

Less storage space – Block-level backup allows you to upload only the changed parts of the file, not the entire file. Data is read from snapshots, which will reduce the load on the disk containing the data.

Faster upload time – Only the changed parts of the file are sent to the backup repository, so the backup process is much faster.

Disadvantages of block-level backup

While the advantages of block-level backup are obvious, it also has some disadvantages.

Longer data recovery time – If you need to restore a single file in a 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.

Low data reliability and consistency – To recover data, you need all subsequent blocks to remain in their location. If any block is corrupted or inconsistent, it will negatively affect the ability to recover the entire file.

How to create a block-level backup?

If you need to create a block-level backup, MiniTool ShadowMaker is a good choice. This free backup software provides you with 3 backup modes: full backup, incremental backup and differential backup. By default, MiniTool ShadowMaker uses incremental backups to maximize storage space. Here, we take using this program to backup files 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.

• Select a backup source: Click Source > Folders and Files > Select Source from Users , Computers , and Library .
• Select a backup target: Go to Target > Select the target path from Users , Computers , Library , and Shares . (It is best to 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, click Options > Click Backup Scheme > Manually Switch This Feature > Select from Full , Incremental , and Difference .

To create an automatic backup, simply click Options > Click Schedule Settings > Turn on this feature > Set to backup at a specific point in time for a day, week, month, or event.

Step 4. Click Backup Now to start the backup.

Summarize

In this article, we show you a detailed overview of Microsoft's block-level backups and how to create block-level incremental backups step by step using reliable backup software. If you have other questions when using our products, please feel free to leave a message below.

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