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Comparisons · Sync/Backup

Sync vs Backup: Recovering from Accidental Deletion

Synchronization aligns additions, changes, and deletions between devices. Erroneous deletions can also be reported. A backup is a mechanism that maintains a copy from another point in time and restores it after it is lost.

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Sync vs Backup: Recovering from Accidental Deletion overview: Comparison criteria, Choosing for your situation, First steps to try, Operational notes
An overview of this guide’s steps and checks, not a screenshot of the app.

Who this guide is for and what to prepare

  • People who want to know the difference between sync/backup
  • People who want to start with a small, safe test

What you need

  • Make a test copy leaving the original data
  • Check the compatibility conditions and storage location of the destination

Comparison criteria

Synchronization aligns additions, changes, and deletions between devices. Erroneous deletions can also be reported. A backup is a mechanism that maintains a copy from another point in time and restores it after it is lost.

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Comparison criteria
standardsynchronizationbackup
the purposeKeep up to datego back to the past
deleteReflected on other devicesrestore from generation
confirmationStatus displayRestoration test

Choosing for your situation

Use synchronization for documents that are being co-edited, and save important folders to separate media with generations. Also consider copies that are not always connected.

Syncing a phone and PC makes importing photos convenient, but deleting many files on the PC can also remove their cloud copies. A document can likewise be overwritten and synchronized before you notice a mistake. Use synchronization for day-to-day changes, versioned backups to restore yesterday’s or last week’s data, and a disconnected copy to avoid losing every copy in the same incident. Test recovery before the retention period expires.

First steps to try

Synchronize test documents and save them in file history, etc. After editing, restore the old version to another location, open it, and record the date, time, and steps.

  1. Create a test.txt in the synchronized folder and check that it appears on another device
  2. Connect an external drive and include the target folder in Windows File History.
  3. After rewriting the test.txt and synchronizing it, restore the previous version from the file history to another folder.
  4. Check the synchronization destination and cloud recycle bin behavior when the original file is deleted using test data
  5. Safely remove external drive and record recovery steps and last successful date and time

Operational notes

Don't just judge by the synchronization mark, check the final success, free, retained generation, encryption, and recovery key.

Limitations and requirements

  • Check the Recycle Bin retention conditions
  • Perform restoration tests regularly

Frequently asked questions

Is a trash can enough?

Separate storage will be provided as it depends on the retention period.

Are external devices always connected?

Consider keeping a disconnected copy so that one incident cannot damage every copy at once.

Official sources and verification date

Sources checked: . Check the official sources below for changes to supported systems, plans and menus.

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