Mandatory and Full Consistency Checks

By creating backups, users expect that the backed-up data can be restored if required. Unfortunately, it does not always work this way, for example, if backup data on backup storage is corrupted for some reason. The occurrence of data corruption can have many reasons, ranging from technical problems with the cloud provider’s service to industrial sabotage.

The consistency check is a mechanism that prevents possible data losses. When discrepancies are found, the user is notified that some objects are missing in backup storage or that there is a mismatch between object sizes or modification dates.

Once a consistency check is started, an object list is requested along with metadata from backup storage.

In all cases, the user is notified about backup data damage. If some discrepancies are detected, Backup for Windows executes a full backup automatically. Possible damage in previous backup generations is also monitored.

Thus, with the consistency check completed, you are aware of any possible mismatches and are able to plan further actions to solve possible issues.

Mandatory Consistency Check

The mandatory consistency check is a current-generation check. The current generation consistency check is mandatory for all plans and is executed at the start of a backup plan in the new backup format.

Full Consistency Check

A full consistency check checks all backup plan generations except the current generation. If a full consistency check is successfully completed, the user can be sure that the backed-up data can be restored.

You can enable the full consistency check in the backup plan settings on the Backup Consistency Check step.