Backup Software

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What Does Backup Software Mean?

Backup software is any application that enables the backup of files, folders, documents, software data, most data types and the computer/server as a whole. Backup software enables the creation of an exact duplicate of computer files that can be used for restoring the original files in case of file corruption, accidental/intentional deletion or a disaster.

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Techopedia Explains Backup Software

Backup software is primarily used as means to keep a backup of important data residing on computer or server hard drives. It can be used for local/individual computers or for an enterprise’s computers, servers and networking devices. Backup software for individual use generally backs up selected files, folders and important operating system files on the same computer/hard drive. The advanced or enterprise-level software is typically integrated within each computer, server or node and backs up selected files and folders on a scheduled basis or as required. The backup software transmits the duplicated/backup data over the network/Internet to a local backup server or on an Internet/cloud-based backup storage server.

Backup software also has the ability to compress data to reduce the amount of backup space required, as well as versioning control for maintaining different versions of the same file.

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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.