Veeam Incremental backup modifies origional full backup

[okamiab]

Hi, I just noticed that the incremental backups I have set up for VM's also modify the primary full backup .vbk
1. Is this a software functionality?
2. If so is this some slight small changes that are applied?

Thanks,

[Dima P.]

Hello and Happy New Year Max!

If backup job is configured in forever forward incremental backup mode, then - yes: oldest incremental is merged into full backup every time to keep the defined retention. Old blocks that contain retired data are overwritten with newer blocks from such oldest incremental restore point. Take a look at this article to learn more - Forever Forward Incremental Backup Retention Policy

If you need to keep the full backup unmodified - you can configure periodic full backup (active full or synthetic full) in the backup job properties. Cheers!