Which backup type saves only the changes since the most recent full backup?

Which backup type saves only the changes since the most recent full backup?

• A. Differential
• B. Full
• C. Clone
• D. Incremental

Answer: (A)

Differential backups save only the changes since the most recent full backup. After a full backup is made, each differential backup contains all data that has changed since that full backup, not just the changes since the previous differential. This means the differential size grows over time until the next full backup resets the baseline. For restoration, you apply the full backup plus the latest differential to reconstruct the current state. This is distinct from incremental backups, which save changes since the last backup of any type, and from a full backup, which copies everything regardless of changes.

Differential backups save only the changes since the most recent full backup. After a full backup is made, each differential backup contains all data that has changed since that full backup, not just the changes since the previous differential. This means the differential size grows over time until the next full backup resets the baseline. For restoration, you apply the full backup plus the latest differential to reconstruct the current state. This is distinct from incremental backups, which save changes since the last backup of any type, and from a full backup, which copies everything regardless of changes.