Surely every user of Windows or a mobile gadget came up with the concept of "archiving". What is this, now we will try to clarify. We will especially touch upon the issue regarding the role of this process in data recovery.
Archiving: what is it?
First, starting to study this issue, it should immediately be said that many users often confuse archiving with archiving. In fact, the process is somewhat similar to archiving, but it has a more complex algorithm regarding the reservation of space for storing data on disk space.
Actually, if you look, archiving is the creation of a copy of an object / objects, an image of the system, the state of settings, or everything that is on the hard disk or in logical partitions.
Archiving and archiving: similarities and differences
For those who do not see the difference between the two processes, it is worth making a comparison.
There are a lot of similarities, but there are enough differences. For example, an archive in which some data is placed is created only for the purpose of reducing the size. Some modern archivers allow you to compress data in two or more times.
But the archiving system works on a slightly different principle, although it also involves data compression (but not at the physical level). So, archiver programs like WinRAR create an archive from which you can then extract data, and Windows archiving creates, rather, what is usually called a backup. Feel the difference? This is not packed data (although in a sense compressed), but images containing information about all installed applications, user files and settings. Indeed, for certain, many were faced with the problem of recovering data and settings, for example, on Android systems. But more about that later.
Archiving: general principles of action
Now let's see what archiving is. This, in essence, is a system for creating “backup” copies of the contents of a computer or mobile device, reserving a place to save this type of data, and the possibility of recovery in case of damage to the system or its critical failures. In this case, we are dealing more with a virtual copy than with a physical one.
Windows systems
On Windows systems, in a sense, it resembles the work of programs that allow you to recover data after deletion. The fact is that on the hard drive, files are not destroyed even after removal from the "Recycle Bin".
They are assigned a specific index, most often consisting of the symbol "$", replacing the initial letter of the name. So here - archiving of documents of any type is carried out not only with the compression of the volume, but also with the renaming of files. It is not possible to open copies created using this process.
Mobile systems
Quite often, in the settings of mobile devices, you can find sections on archiving and restoration. In fact, archiving in them is the same as in computer systems. But here when creating a copy, several other methods are used.
Firstly, in comparison with Windows-systems, which offer to save the image exclusively on the hard drive, mobile systems work in a more advanced version. For example, the same "OSes" like iOS or Android offer the user the choice of saving information. So, you can choose either the device itself, or a removable card (in the case of Android, since Apple gadgets do not support removable media), or even a remote server in the form of "cloud" storage (Google Drive, for example).
Data backup and recovery: how does it work?
As for the operation of the archiving system, this is a separate issue. The fact is that the created virtual copy of this or that file comes down to not copying it in full size, but reducing it by tens of times.
In general, if anyone noticed, the image of the system itself or the hard drive occupies almost the same disk space as the original files. For example, when setting up archiving with a disk with 200 GB of memory clogged with user files and heavy programs (for example, sound banks of Kontakt virtual synthesizers that are not compressed at all), the system will offer to reserve about 140-150 GB (at best) . It is clear that using even DVD discs in this case is absolutely inexpedient (after all, 31 pieces).
When creating only a system image without copying user files, space may be required three times less. It will take 60-70 GB (minimum 40-45 GB for Windows 7, 8 or 10 versions). In any case, creating a copy in terms of using the hard drive's memory will have to fork out, as they say. Note that the size of the copy is absolutely independent of the volume of the hard drive. Whether you want it or not, the system itself will reserve the necessary space.
As for mobile gadgets, such a function is also provided. In this sense, archiving is the same as in stationary systems, but only the places for saving data, in comparison with the same Windows, require much less. At the same time, it is very easy to save the image of the system and all files located, for example, on a removable memory card. On the same card, you can save a system image that does not significantly affect the disk space of removable media.
Copies of system images and disks: how to create and restore?
What on Windows, what on mobile systems, the data recovery function was incorporated from the very beginning. True, archiving Windows 10 makes you think. The system reserves so much space that it is impossible to imagine.
On the other hand, do not let users scream. The appearance of the same blue screen of death with a memory dump error says a lot.
Maybe that’s right. Indeed, when the problems begin with the restoration of the system and everything that was on the hard drive or in the logical partitions, there will be no laughing matter. And the “ten” makes, apparently, two copies: one is responsible for the parameters of the “OS”, the second is for user programs and files. So, before you delete directories with recovery data, think a hundred times.
What is the result?
In general, I think it’s already clear that archiving is a backup of data. Do not confuse the concepts of archiving and archiving, although somewhere and in some ways they are very similar. However, you should clearly understand the fact that backups in any system are almost key, when in the future (after unforeseen failures) it may be necessary to restore the system, and even more so user files that could be erased.
In this review, some specialized information recovery utilities were not considered. However, it is thought that this is not necessary within the framework of the topic. Well, programs that allow you to perform processes such as backup and recovery, you can find as many as you want. Take, for example, the Acronis Disc Image utility, and everything will become clear. It’s easy to work, and in one or two clicks. And this is not the only program that allows this kind of action.