A method for optimizing a process of archiving at least one block of a virtual disk image file accessible by a client for executing a virtual machine in a virtualization layer of a virtualization environment, the method characterised by: identifying, by a file system analysis component executing on a first physical computing device, a plurality of blocks storing data comprising a first file in the virtual disk image file on the first physical computing device; identifying, by an archiving component executing on the first physical computing device, a difference disk file storing an identification of a modification to at least one of the identified plurality of blocks storing data comprising the first file; determining, by the archiving component, whether to archive the first file responsive to at least one of: an application of a filter to an identification of the first file; an application of a filter to an identification of the difference disk; an application of a filter to an identification, stored by the difference disk, of a modification to the plurality of blocks; an identification, stored by the difference disk, indicating that the first file is to be deleted; and a determination by a policy engine regarding whether to archive the first file; and transmitting, by the archiving component, to a second physical computing device, the plurality of blocks storing data comprising the first file, responsive to a determination to archive the first file. identifying, by a file system analysis component executing on a first physical computing device, a plurality of blocks storing data comprising a first file in the virtual disk image file on the first physical computing device; identifying, by an archiving component executing on the first physical computing device, a difference disk file storing an identification of a modification to at least one of the identified plurality of blocks storing data comprising the first file; determining, by the archiving component, whether to archive the first file responsive to at least one of: an application of a filter to an identification of the first file; an application of a filter to an identification of the difference disk; an application of a filter to an identification, stored by the difference disk, of a modification to the plurality of blocks; an identification, stored by the difference disk, indicating that the first file is to be deleted; and a determination by a policy engine regarding whether to archive the first file; and transmitting, by the archiving component, to a second physical computing device, the plurality of blocks storing data comprising the first file, responsive to a determination to archive the first file. an application of a filter to an identification of the first file; an application of a filter to an identification of the difference disk; an application of a filter to an identification, stored by the difference disk, of a modification to the plurality of blocks; an identification, stored by the difference disk, indicating that the first file is to be deleted; and a determination by a policy engine regarding whether to archive the first file; and transmitting, by the archiving component, to a second physical computing device, the plurality of blocks storing data comprising the first file, responsive to a determination to archive the first file.