User's Manual
Table Of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 1.1 What is Acronis® True Image™?
- 1.2 New in this version
- 1.3 Backups created in Acronis True Image 2020 or later
- 1.4 System requirements and supported media
- 1.5 Installing Acronis True Image 2021
- 1.6 Activating Acronis True Image 2021
- 1.7 Trial version information
- 1.8 Upgrading Acronis True Image 2021
- 1.9 Technical Support
- 2 Getting started
- 3 Basic concepts
- 3.1 Basic concepts
- 3.2 The difference between file backups and disk/partition images
- 3.3 Full, incremental and differential backups
- 3.4 Deciding where to store your backups
- 3.5 Using Acronis Nonstop Backup
- 3.6 Backup file naming
- 3.7 Integration with Windows
- 3.8 Wizards
- 3.9 FAQ about backup, recovery and cloning
- 4 Backing up data
- 4.1 Backing up disks and partitions
- 4.2 Backing up files and folders
- 4.3 Backing up mobile devices
- 4.4 Backing up Office 365 data
- 4.5 Backup options
- 4.5.1 Scheduling
- 4.5.2 Backup schemes
- 4.5.3 Notifications for backup operation
- 4.5.4 Excluding items from backup
- 4.5.5 Image creation mode
- 4.5.6 Backup protection
- 4.5.7 Pre/Post commands for backup
- 4.5.8 Backup splitting
- 4.5.9 Backup validation option
- 4.5.10 Backup reserve copy
- 4.5.11 Removable media settings
- 4.5.12 Error handling
- 4.5.13 File-level security settings for backup
- 4.5.14 Computer shutdown
- 4.5.15 Online backup protection
- 4.5.16 Performance of backup operation
- 4.5.17 Selecting a data center for backup
- 4.5.18 Laptop power settings
- 4.5.19 Wi-Fi networks for backup to Acronis Cloud
- 4.6 Operations with backups
- 4.6.1 Backup operations menu
- 4.6.2 Backup activity and statistics
- 4.6.3 Sorting backups in the list
- 4.6.4 Replicating backups to Acronis Cloud
- 4.6.5 Validating backups
- 4.6.6 Backup to various places
- 4.6.7 Adding an existing backup to the list
- 4.6.8 Notarized backup
- 4.6.9 Cleaning up backups, backup versions, and replicas
- 4.6.10 Cleaning up space on Acronis Cloud
- 4.6.11 Removing data from Acronis Cloud
- 5 Recovering data
- 5.1 Recovering disks and partitions
- 5.2 Recovering files and folders
- 5.3 Searching backup content
- 5.4 Recovering Office 365 data
- 5.5 Recovery options
- 6 Archiving data
- 7 Sharing data
- 8 Protecting family data
- 9 Antivirus and antimalware protection
- 10 Vulnerability assessment
- 11 Synchronizing data
- 12 Disk cloning and migration
- 13 Tools
- 13.1 Acronis Media Builder
- 13.2 Making sure that your bootable media can be used when needed
- 13.3 Acronis Startup Recovery Manager
- 13.4 Try&Decide
- 13.5 Acronis Secure Zone
- 13.6 Adding a new hard disk
- 13.7 Security and Privacy Tools
- 13.8 Mounting an image
- 13.9 Unmounting an image
- 13.10 Working with .vhd(x) files
- 13.11 Importing and exporting backup settings
- 13.12 Acronis Universal Restore
- 14 Troubleshooting
- 15 Glossary of Terms
- Acronis Active Protection
- Acronis Drive
- Acronis Notary
- Acronis Secure Zone
- Acronis Startup Recovery Manager
- Archive
- Archiving operation
- Backup
- Backup operation
- Backup settings
- Backup version
- Backup version chain
- Bootable media
- Data synchronization
- Differential backup
- Differential backup version
- Disk backup (Image)
- Full backup
- Full backup version
- Image
- Incremental backup
- Incremental backup version
- Mobile backup
- Nonstop backup
- Nonstop protection
- Notarization
- Notarized backup
- Notarized file
- Online backup
- Recovery
- Suspicious process
- Sync
- Validation
- Version of synced file
19 Copyright © Acronis International GmbH, 2003-2020
The best: Acronis Cloud (p. 28) or an external hard disk.
Refer to Deciding where to store your backups (p. 35) for details.
How many backup versions do I need?
In most cases, you need 2-3 backup versions of your entire PC contents or your system disk, with a
maximum of 4-6 (see above for information about when to create backups). You can control the
number of backup versions by using automatic cleanup rules. Refer to Custom schemes (p. 56) for
details.
Remember, the first backup version (the full backup version) is the most important. It is the biggest
one, because it contains all data stored on the disk. Further backup versions (the incremental and
differential backup versions) may be organized in different schemes. These versions contain only
data changes. That’s why they are dependent on the full backup version and why the full backup
version is so important.
By default, a disk backup is created by using the incremental scheme. This scheme is optimal, in most
cases.
For advanced users: it is a good idea to create 2-3 full backup versions and store them on different storage
devices. This method is much more reliable.
2.2.2 Step 2. Creating Acronis bootable media
What is Acronis bootable media?
Acronis bootable media is a CD, DVD, USB flash drive, or other removable media from which you can
run Acronis True Image when Windows cannot start. You can make a media bootable by using
Acronis Media Builder.
How do I create Acronis bootable media?
1. Insert a CD/DVD or plug in a USB drive (USB flash drive, or an HDD/SSD external drive).
2. Start Acronis True Image 2021.
3. On the sidebar, click Tools, and then click Rescue Media Builder.
4. On the first step, select Simple.
5. Select the device to use to create the bootable media.
6. Click Proceed.
How do I use Acronis bootable media?
Use Acronis bootable media to recover your computer when Windows cannot start.
1. Connect the bootable media to your computer (insert the CD/DVD or plug in the USB drive).
2. Arrange the boot order in BIOS so that your Acronis bootable media is the first device to be
booted.
Refer to Arranging boot order in BIOS (p. 99) for details.
3. Boot your computer from the bootable media and select Acronis True Image 2021.
Result: Once Acronis True Image is loaded, you can use it to recover your computer.
Refer to Acronis Media Builder (p. 143) for details.