Image-based backups do, however, offer a stronger level of protection when in-use at the cost of often running slower than file-level backups and taking up more storage space in the process! For more detailed information on the differences between these two core methods of backing up data, please be sure to also read our guide to system image vs file level backups. Generally speaking, file level backups are faster and more convenient than disk image-based backups and the software supporting them is often more readily available as well. Simply put, file level backups will focus on backing up the individual files and folders residing upon your device whereas image-level backups will back up the entire device by taking an “image” (or 1:1 copy) of the entire hard disk ( and in doing so it will be ensuring that everything on said disk including files, folders, software applications and the operating system itself are all included in the back-up).

One of the first and most important backup related questions to ask yourself prior to obtaining backup software is whether to use of file-level backups or disk Image backups (or maybe even both, depending upon your own individual needs).

Personal computer backup software