To use the archive attribute (A), back up files telling the archiving application (WinZip, etc.) to clear the archive attribute of the files it stores copies of. Whenever one of those files is modified in the future, or whenever a new file is created, its archive attribute is set. Therefore, on subsequent backups, you can have the application back up only files that have the archive attribute set (and clear the archive attribute while doing so). That way you don't waste time and drive space backing up files that haven't changed since the last time they were backed up.

archive

full and incremantal

Archived.. The archive attribute identifies if a file has been modified since the last backup. A file attribute is metadata that gives certain qualities to a file after the attribute has been given

Format:

ATTRIB (+ or - H R S A) DRIVE:\PATH\File.ext

+ Sets an attribute

- Removes an attribute

H = Hidden

R = Read-Only

S = System

A = Archive