What type of backup includes all data?

A full backup is a comprehensive backup method that captures all the data within a specified set of files and directories at a specific point in time. This means that during a full backup process, every piece of data, including applications, system files, and user data, is copied and stored. This type of backup is crucial for ensuring that all information is recoverable in the event of data loss or system failure.

Full backups also simplify the data restoration process, as restoring from a single full backup requires less time and fewer resources compared to other backup types that may require multiple steps. It is the foundational strategy in a backup and recovery process, ensuring that a complete set of data is readily available.

Other backup types, such as incremental, differential, and copy backups, serve different purposes and capture data in specific ways, often not including all data at once or requiring previous backups to be restored first. For instance, an incremental backup captures only the changes made since the last backup, while a differential backup includes all changes since the last full backup, making them less comprehensive. Therefore, a full backup is the only type that guarantees complete data coverage.