Acronis True Image Reviewer's Comments

Backup and restore your entire PC or just selected applications and files with our “TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award” winner—Acronis True Image.

Acronis’version 11 provides backup for individual email, music, videos and photo file types.

You can burn your backups to CDs and then erase them after your system is restored. You can search for specific backup files similar to searching in Windows Explorer and for additional security, you can use your FTP program to safely load your backup copies to your server or hosted server.

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Feature Set:  

Acronis is an excellent tool to backup individual files and programs (even preferences) or backup your entire hard drive. You may also perform incremental or differential backups to save either space or time.

A full system backup is initially created for incremental and differential backups for use as a comparison. For example, when a differential or incremental backup creates a file, it contains any changes based on a comparison with the original full backup.

Incremental backups save space by making file “chains” for small changes over a long period. Keep in mind however, that data corruption increases if the file chains become too long. Differential backups are best for multiple changes over a short period because they only create one file.

The Try and Decide feature in Acronis allows you test new software and browse the web and restore your system without the changes you made.

With Acronis, you never have to worry about significant data loss from a system or hardware failure. Simply build a system backup disc, and then if an event occurs just restore your system to its original configuration almost instantly. To create a system backup disc use the My Computer option and a wizard will “walk” you through recovery if your system crashes. Use the My Data option to save disc space when you backup specific files and folders. To back up Windows applications along with settings, use the My Application Settings options. Finally, use the My E–mail option to back up your email applications such as accounts, folders, signatures and address book.

Advanced computer users will appreciate the power to specify the compression level of the backup. You can choose normal, high, or maximum compression. Normal compression takes the most storage space while maximum compression takes the least. For extra security, the program will also prompt you for a password.

Acronis will create a secure zone on your hard drive. This is a partition of disc space set aside specifically for backup (and for your bootable rescue data). This partition is hidden so no other software can access it, keeping it secure. It's primary purpose is for recovery in the event of a system crash. This feature is unique to Acronis; we've never seen a secure zone in any other backup program.

Ease of Use:  

Backup and restore functions are separated so there is no misunderstanding about what function you are using. The major backup functions: Activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager, System Restore Management and Create Bootable Rescue Media are accompanied by a wizard, which “walks” you through each process.

Backup/Restore:  

Acronis True Image backs up and restores everything perfectly. We backed up one hard drive and stored the data on a separate hard drive on another computer. Restoring the data was simple and the restored copy worked as well as the original. All data was preserved—the registry and other system tools as well as all individual files and paths. Restoring the customized settings that make your programs function as you are accustomed, is an advantage that other backup software products lack.

Help/Documentation:  

Acronis True Image includes comprehensive embedded help. All subjects are divided into individual categories, which helped us find everything we were looking for. You’ll have quick access to the help information through the help menu toolbar.

You can search the online help knowledge base and FAQs on the Acronis website and you can ask questions from customer service through their live chat.

Summary:  

Acronis True Image is an excellent data backup software product. You can backup your whole system or individual files and applications, which saves time and space. Acronis backed up and restored all the data on our backup tests and they have great customer support.