Which backup type allows users to restore their system to a previous state quickly?

A full system backup is designed to create a complete copy of all the data and configurations on a system at a specific point in time. This type of backup includes the operating system, applications, settings, and all user data. Because it encompasses everything in one comprehensive backup, it allows users to restore their system to a previous state quickly and efficiently.

In scenarios where a system needs to be reverted to an earlier state, a full system backup simplifies the recovery process since the entire set of data is contained in one backup file or set of files. This means that restoration can be done in a single operation, minimizing downtime and complexity.

Snapshot backups also provide quick restoration but are typically incremental in nature, storing changes since the last snapshot rather than capturing the entire system state, which may complicate recovery in certain contexts. Disk image backups replicate the entire hard drive but may not be as straightforward to execute as a full system backup, given they often require specific software or recovery environments. Incremental backups, while efficient in saving storage space over time, require a full backup to precede them and multiple restore operations to return a system to a state at a particular point, which is less efficient.