What does a weekly/full backup include?

A weekly/full backup includes a comprehensive copy of all files in the entire system. This type of backup captures everything on the system at the time the backup is performed, including operating system files, applications, and user data. The purpose is to ensure that a complete set of data is available for restoration in the event of data loss, corruption, or system failure.

This approach is particularly useful because it allows for a straightforward recovery process; if the entire system needs to be restored, having a full backup simplifies that task, as all files would be present in one set. It contrasts with other backup types such as incremental backups, which only capture changes made since the last backup, or differential backups, which capture changes since the last full backup. Thus, a weekly/full backup is essential for maintaining a comprehensive safeguard of all data.