Backup data files with ZIP compression

Backup compression is used to save space on storage media and minimize connection time and bandwidth if you back up to FTP server or run an online backup. Generally, there are two methods of compression: "preliminary" and "on-the-fly".

• Preliminary backup compression means that data as a whole is compressed before it is written anywhere. If the backup needs to be recorded to several media, e.g. when you back up to multiple CD discs, then preliminary backup is split into proper parts, and only then recorded.


• On-the-fly backup compression implies that backup is compressed immediately during recording, which allows reducing three steps into one. This method was chosen in Handy Backup, as it provides noticeably faster and more convenient backups.

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Backup compression types

There are two main approaches for backup compression, both implemented in Handy Backup:

• Compressing data backup into a single file. As a result of this operation, there is only one file which is easy to manage and, if desired, decompress manually.


• Compressing files backup into multiple files. This approach results in creation of separate ZIP archives for each file backed up.

Note: In case of a drive image backup, the whole set of data is always written into a single file.

Backup compression levels

Handy Backup features a built-in ZIP compression engine with the choice of 10 compression levels. The difference between the lowest and the highest compression ratio is about 30%; however it is also strongly affected by the type of data. Compression of plain text file backup is the most effective and can reduce its size by 95%, whereas for disk images the effect rarely exceeds 5%.

To learn more about Handy Backup, please see the full list of Handy Backup features.

Compress your data backups with Handy Backup – it's easy and effective!