In FTK Imager, what does exporting a file entail?

Exporting a file in FTK Imager involves saving specific files for analysis, which allows examiners to extract and work with particular data from a forensic image or drive. This function is essential for forensic investigations, as it enables the examiner to isolate relevant pieces of evidence without needing to handle the entire data set. By selecting only the files of interest, analysts can focus their efforts on pertinent information that may aid in the investigation.

Creating a backup copy of the entire drive pertains more to the imaging process itself, which is a separate function aimed at preserving an entire data set without alteration. Deleting files after backup is not part of best practices in digital forensics, as it would compromise the integrity of the data. Lastly, changing file properties before saving would interfere with the original state of the data, which is critical in forensic work to maintain authenticity and chain of custody. Therefore, the correct answer centers on the selective extraction for analysis that exporting a file in FTK Imager facilitates.