Which type of backup encompasses all data but generally takes the longest to complete?

A full backup is a comprehensive backup that includes all files and data on a system at a particular point in time. This means that every piece of data, including system files, applications, and user data, is copied and stored. Because it captures everything, the process typically takes the longest to complete compared to other backup types.

In contrast, incremental and differential backups only capture changes made since the last backup, which allows them to complete in a shorter time frame. Incremental backups back up only the data that has changed since the most recent backup (regardless of type), while differential backups include all changes made since the last full backup, but not incremental changes. A daily backup might refer to a backup process that executes every day but could adopt any of these methods (full, incremental, or differential).

Thus, a full backup stands out because it ensures complete redundancy, which is vital for data recovery, but this thoroughness is also what results in a longer completion time compared to the other backup types.