US Patent 11036676 Modifying storage space consumed by snapshots

The method includes identifying, by one or more computer processors, a live file. The method further includes identifying, by one or more computer processors, a snapshot that corresponds to the live file. The method further includes amending, by one or more computer processors, data corresponding to the identified live file to include tracking data for the identified snapshot. The method further includes amending, by one or more computer processors, data corresponding to the identified snapshot of the live file to include tracking data for the identified live file. The method further includes determining, by one or more computer processors, a difference in the data between the identified live file and the identified snapshot. The method further includes amending, by one or more computer processors, the identified snapshot to include only the determined difference in data between the identified live file and the identified snapshot.