Differential VS Incremental Backup

Incremental backs up all the files modified since the last full backup, differential or incremental backup.

Restoring from incremental backup, you need the most recent full backup as well as EVERY incremental backup you've made since the last full backup.

Differential backs up everything that's different since the last full backup.

Restoring a differential backup is a faster process than restoring an incremental backup because only two backup container files are needed: the latest full backup and the latest differential.

For example, if you did a full backup on Friday and incrementals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and the PC crashes Thursday morning, you would need all four backup container files: Friday's full backup plus the incremental backup for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. As a comparison, if you had done differential backup on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then to restore on Thursday morning you'd only need Friday's full backup plus Wednesday's differential.