Acronis True Image

Acronis True Image is a special computer program that helps you protect your important files and your whole computer. It's made by a company called Acronis. This software can make copies of your files, create a full copy of your computer's hard drive, and even protect you from harmful programs like ransomware. For a few years, it was called Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, but in 2024, it went back to its original name, True Image.

Keeping Your Data Safe

Acronis True Image helps you save copies of your computer, specific parts of your computer (like a hard drive), or just certain files. You can save these copies on your own computer or online in Acronis's special data centers.

Making Copies (Backup)

You can create two main types of copies:

• Files and folders: This copies only the files and folders you choose.
• Full system copies: This copies everything on your computer, including all your files and how your computer is set up.

The software can make copies in different ways:

• Full copy: This makes a brand new copy of everything you chose each time.
• Differential copy: This only copies the changes you've made since your last full copy.
• Incremental copy: This only copies the changes you've made since your very last copy (which could be another incremental copy). These copies are linked together, so if one is missing, the whole set might not work.

You can choose to store your copies online in Acronis's secure data centers around the world.

Getting Your Data Back (Restoration)

If you lose files or your computer breaks, Acronis True Image lets you get your files back from your saved copies. You can do this using a special startup disk or directly from the program itself.

What Filesystems It Supports

This software can make full copies of many different ways computers organize files, like:

• NTFS (used by Windows)
• FAT32 (older Windows and USB drives)
• HFS+ and APFS (used by Apple Mac computers)
• Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, ReiserFS, and Linux Swap (used by Linux computers)

If it finds a file system it doesn't usually support, it will still copy everything, bit by bit.

Keeping Copies Private (Encryption)

You can lock your saved copies with a password to keep them safe from others. Acronis True Image uses strong AES encryption, which is like a secret code. You can choose different strengths (128, 192, or 256-bit). On modern computers, using the strongest option doesn't slow things down much, so it's usually the best choice.

How Copies Are Saved

Before 2020, Acronis True Image saved copies in a file format called TIB. In 2020, they added a new format called TIBX, which has more features and is even more secure.

• TIB: This is the older file format used for saving copies.
• TIBX: This newer format, added in 2020, helps protect your copies better against people trying to guess your password.

Copying Whole Hard Drives

Acronis True Image can also copy everything from one storage media (like a hard drive or SSD) to another. This is called disk cloning. The program will automatically make sure the copied parts fit on the new storage device.

Some hard drive makers, like Western Digital, Crucial, and Seagate, offer their own versions of Acronis True Image. These versions usually let you copy your old drive to a new one, but often only if the new drive is from the same company.

Protecting Against Online Threats

Acronis True Image also has features to protect your computer from online dangers.

• In 2016, it added tools to fight ransomware (a type of software that locks your files until you pay money). It also added ways to prove your files haven't been changed using blockchain technology.
• In 2020, it got even more security features, including real-time protection, checks for weaknesses, anti-virus scans, and protection while you browse the internet or use video call apps.

How It Got Its Name

Before 2006, Acronis used the name "True Image" for both their home and business products. The business versions were called "Acronis True Image Server." Later, the business software was renamed "Acronis Backup."

In 2021, the home product was renamed "Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office." But in 2024, it was changed back to "True Image."

See Also

In Spanish: Acronis True Image para niños

• Comparison of disk cloning software
• Disk cloning