What kind of backup provides a complete copy of all data at a specific point in time?

A full backup provides a complete copy of all data at a specific point in time, ensuring that every file, folder, and system setting is captured in one comprehensive snapshot. This type of backup is essential for recovery purposes, as it allows for complete restoration to the exact state of the system and data as represented at the time the backup was taken.

Since a full backup includes everything, it can take a longer time and uses more storage space compared to other backup types. However, it simplifies the restore process since there's only one backup set to work from. In contrast, other types of backups like incremental or differential backups require additional steps to restore the full system, as they only capture changes made since the last backup. Mirror backups also duplicate data but do not create a historical snapshot and can lead to loss of data if files are deleted from the primary storage before the mirror backup is made. Thus, a full backup is the most comprehensive solution for ensuring complete data recovery at a specified moment.