System Backup

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What Does System Backup Mean?

A system backup is the process of backing up the operating system, files and system-specific useful/essential data. Backup is a process in which the state, files and data of a computer system are duplicated to be used as a backup or data substitute when the primary system data is corrupted, deleted or lost.

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Techopedia Explains System Backup

System backup primarily ensures that not only the user data in a system is saved, but also the system’s state or operational condition. This helps in restoring the system to the last-saved state along with all the selected backup data. Generally, the system backup is performed through backup software and the end file (system backup) generated through this process is known as the system snapshot/image. Moreover, in a networked/enterprise environment, the system backup file/snapshot/image is routinely uploaded and updated on an enterprise local/remote storage server.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.