Acronis 2012

[Wishmaster]

Acronis 2012 is out. I decided to go ahead and upgrade, since I was still using 2010.

The interface looks good, but I find it more difficult to find what I want.
For example, in 2010, Disk/Partition backups were in seperate areas of the UI.
By simply pressing the Files/Folder tab I could see just those backups.

2012 groups them all together on the same screen. You can sort them, by Type, date created etc, but it seems to be a bit buggy.
If I add a backup that was made by 2010, it automatically puts it at the top of the list regardless what sort method is used.
And sometimes, it just decides to organize them however it decides to.

Here is the main BackUp/Recovery Screen. (Bit empty right now still testing)


You can back up Files and folders by clicking the "Other BackUps button which also offers, email backup and Non-stop Backup options.

This bothers me a bit, because in 2010, if I wanted to back up a single file or folder somewhere, I could simply right click the file or folder and choose BackUp.
This option is no longer in the right click context menu. You must launch Acronis directly to get to it.



IMAGING:

To start A Imaging task, you just press the Disk and partition backup button.


By default, its set to Incremental and Single Partition. Single partition is only the C Partition Windows is installed On.

You can also choose multiple partitions if you want to or, a Full disc image (my prefered method)
You can cycle through the modes and check the partions or discs you want to back up.


Perhaps Its just me, but I found 2010 to be a bit more user friendly when setting backup options.

Also, for Desination, you can not set a default destination as in 2010. You must choose it with each new back up you create. Unless Im missing something here.



There are also Cleanup options (how long to keep, Consolodate etc) as well as a Schedule that can be set.




Acronis also will integrate onto the Control panel.
When you go to Control panel / backUp restore, you will find Windows BackUp has been disbaled and replaced with Acronis.


This wouldn't be such a bad thing, if it worked. It's been nothing but a headache.
Notice the Date and time of the test images I ran?
Also, the options to the right do not work. If you attempt to open the location you get an error.
You can however, launch Acronis from here by Pressing the Disk Partiton backup button at the top.

It also has the typical Tools and Utilities from previous versions:







Theres also a Sync option, which I think uses the Online backUp??? Im not sure about this as I have yet to test it out.


Overall, the 2012 version looks OK. But it is a bit buggy. It tends to freeze and crash sometimes over the most simple of tasks.
Deleting the task log for example will cause it.



So, my thoughts overall about it are pretty simple.
Personally, I find the 2010 version to be much more user friendly.
Its easier to organize everything & find what you're looking for.

Also, advanced options are much easier to set in 2010 vs 2012, its stable and reliable.


Im sure these issues in 2012 will be resolved after a few updates, but for now... best to pass up until it is.
Its still buggy ATM, and that is NOT something you want from the app thats handling critical BackUps.

 

[maxseven]

Thanks for the report especially all the screenshots. I too have 2010 so don't know how radical the UI changes are from 2011, but like many (most?) ATI users I do wish Acronis would pick a GUI style and stay with it. Can't help but have bugs in a completely redesigned interface. But one would hope-and-expect that the underlying mechanisms for creating images (and restoring them) do not change and are as reliable as they've been tweaked forever since v1.

Their business model these days must insist on annual upgrade revenues as well as snagging new users to their "latest/greatest brand-spanking new" program(s).

 

[oneextraid]

Never use the first release of a new version of ATI. My experience has been to wait. The interface looks much like 2011 and I agree that neither 2011 nor 2012 is easier to use than 2010. They should follow the KISS model. Keep It Simple Stupid.

 

[Wishmaster]

I just wanted other ATI users to know, right now its buggy & not worth upgrading to until they get it patched.
I should have waited

As far as doing a simple backup, it does fine. But it is buggy and hangs up at times.
For example it will crash, with the Acronis has stopped working message and you must force it closed. As everything will be locked up.
Yet, the back up continues to run in the background.


I just rolled back to a system image before upgrading and will stick with 2010 for the time being.
Hopefully they get some patches out to remedy the issues it has, and with any luck it'll be soon.


As far as the GUI, I think the idea was to make it as simple as possible for those who may not be so tech savy.
But IMHO, it just the opposite. Unless you just click BackUp and Spam the next button until it starts, it can be difficult to locate what you're looking for.

 

[preiius]

Oh no, they changed UI again! I missed Powerquest Drive Image so much.

 

[jumanji]

Hmmmm........ my first entry into the realms of drive imaging was through Power Quest's Drive Image 2002. Me too loved it and used it for years. It was so simple and never stupid.

What we get now is bloated and buggy software which even for geeks is a nightmare, forget about new entrants.

 

[seth500]

EaseUS Todo Backup Free 3.0 is was I use now instead of Acronis it's very simple and has many tools for a free program you can't beat it and thanks Wishmaster for your time and effort into this informative post...

 

[Kipper]

Thanks for the very useful and informative post Wishmaster

I really like Acronis for years but it has become bloatware trying to be an all-in-one solution.

EaseUS todo Backup was a favorite until it failed me with version 2.5.

Paragon has been great and it's "Migrate to SSD" module is a great tool.

 

[2horses]

I've used the new version twice to create images from production workstations with a simple RAID array (Dells) and on both it killed the W7 boot upon restart once the image was complete. Had to run a chkdsk from the actual install disk to fix it. Just a heads up.

Seems to be okay with a single disk, and does provide the updated NIC drivers I needed. I far prefer 9.7 though.

 

[damien76]

GUI looks a bit similar to ATI Home 2011..made it bigger but I think the same.

This bothers me a bit, because in 2010, if I wanted to back up a single file or folder somewhere, I could simply right click the file or folder and choose BackUp.

-- Yeah. That would be nice. Don't know why they removed that one. My first experience with Acronis was DiscWizard and ATI-WD who both lack capabilities but was downright easy to use/straight to the point.

Am using ATI Home 2011 and I really haven't checked it all out. I still am confused since my transition from Paragon. I see a tab in the "Properties" and was wondering if that particular tab searches for folder or file backup rather than "a version" inside an archive I created. See image.

 

[Mark Phelps]

For years, I too relied on ATI to do all my backup and restores, but then, I started experiencing what so many other have recently -- first couple of releases of their "new" versions were very buggy. Visiting the (now defunct) Acronis support forum revealed that many others felt the same way -- stay away from a new version until at least the second upgrade came out. With their policy now of a new version every year, that means waiting MONTHS to upgrade.

Which is part of the reason I switched over to Macrium Reflect a while back. And yes, their new versions are buggy as well, and folks don't like THEIR UI changes, either, but at least they mostly work.

 

[pparks1]

That is why I have simply stayed with Acronis True Image Home 2010. I bought it a few years ago, and it's been solid for me. I didn't see any reason to upgrade to 2011...it provided no features that I needed, and I didn't see a reason to pay for a rearranged GUI interface...especially with the complaints that it was generating on the web.

I now feel the same way about 2012. Until there is something that I cannot do with ATI 2010 that a newer version fixes, I don't see the point in paying for the upgrade.

For me personally, ATI 2010 has been solid, no problems backing up or restoring. I use Macrium Reflect Free at work and it's been troublefree for me. And I've started using EaseUs ToDoBackup v3 at work and recommending to friends and it's been fine in all of my testing as well.

 

[kodi]

That is why I have simply stayed with Acronis True Image Home 2010. I bought it a few years ago, and it's been solid for me. I didn't see any reason to upgrade to 2011...it provided no features that I needed, and I didn't see a reason to pay for a rearranged GUI interface...especially with the complaints that it was generating on the web.

I now feel the same way about 2012. Until there is something that I cannot do with ATI 2010 that a newer version fixes, I don't see the point in paying for the upgrade.

For me personally, ATI 2010 has been solid, no problems backing up or restoring.

My exact thoughts, if it's not broke don't fix it.

 

[preiius]

Is ATI 2010 compatible with win7, and does it support proper alignment?

 

[Wishmaster]

I have heard of, and seen myself once, alignment issues if restoring a partition image from a mechanical HD to a new SSD. Things get wierd here sometimes for some reason.


However, restoring Images made of the SSD, partiton or full disc, have been problem free.
At least for me.

 

[maxseven]

Is ATI 2010 compatible with win7, and does it support proper alignment?

Yes yes.

 

[SIW2]

Might take a look at it.

Do you have to register to get a trial version?

Seems odd to me.

 

[Wishmaster]

Might take a look at it.

Do you have to register to get a trial version?

Seems odd to me.

For a trial of ATI 2012? I think you just need to supply a email to get it.

 

[richnrockville]

I also like and use Acronis 2010. I bought several copies and I install them on my machines and client computers, has saved my banannas several times. I don't like the 2011 version. I just bought a copy of 2012 to see if it is any better than 2011 (only cost $25 from the ugr.com store) so it is not a lot of money wasted.
I will report back my results after testing it.

Rich

 

[Wishmaster]

Look forward to seeing what you think.