Acronis True Image 2021 Advanced – Cloud Backup, Malware Defense, Disk Imaging

What is included in Acronis True Image 2021 Advanced?

Full image backup – Complete system snapshots plus file-level backups.
Integrated antimalware – Real-time protection, antivirus scans, ransomware defense.
Active disk cloning – Duplicates a running system without interrupting work.
Microsoft 365 backup – Protects Outlook.com mailboxes and OneDrive files.
Core Capacity – 250 GB Acronis Cloud storage for off-site copies.
Important – Commercial use rights and Windows Server support are not included in this edition.

What are the main benefits of Acronis True Image 2021 Advanced?

Acronis True Image 2021 Advanced is the subscription edition of Acronis' personal backup software that combines disk imaging, cloud storage and a full antimalware engine in one application for Windows and macOS computers. It is built for home users who want both a local backup and an automatic off-site copy without managing two separate tools.

Dual protection – Local backups replicate automatically to Acronis Cloud.
Fast recovery – Restore a full system or single files.
Universal restore – Recover a system image to different hardware.
Resumable replication – Interrupted cloud uploads continue where they stopped.
Flexible archives – Mount, move or convert .tibx backups to .vhd.
Mobile backup – Unlimited iOS and Android backups, local or cloud.

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What does Acronis True Image 2021 Advanced do?

It creates complete disk image backups and selective file backups of Windows and macOS computers and stores them on internal drives, external disks, NAS shares or in the included 250 GB of Acronis Cloud storage. The same installation runs an integrated antimalware engine with real-time behavioral detection, on-demand antivirus scans and Active Protection against ransomware, which also shields the backup files themselves from encryption attacks. In practice, a failed SSD, an encrypted user folder or an accidentally deleted project can all be resolved from one application: restore the full image to the same or different hardware, or pull individual files from a local or cloud archive.

How does the Advanced edition compare to Essential and Premium?

According to the official Acronis comparison for the 2021 product family, all three editions cover image backup, active disk cloning, quick recovery with universal restore and ransomware protection. Essential includes the antimalware engine only as a trial and ships without cloud storage, so backups stay local. Advanced adds 250 GB of Acronis Cloud storage, the full antimalware suite, dual-protection cloud replication and Microsoft 365 backup. Premium raises cloud storage to 1 TB and adds blockchain-based file notarization and electronic signatures, which Advanced does not include.

Does Acronis True Image 2021 Advanced back up Microsoft 365 data?

Yes, the Advanced edition backs up Outlook.com mailboxes and OneDrive file contents directly cloud-to-cloud into Acronis Cloud. This matters because files stored only in OneDrive or emails kept only in Outlook.com are not covered by a classic disk image of the local computer. With this feature, a mailbox emptied by mistake or a synced folder overwritten by a bad sync can be restored from an independent copy. Microsoft 365 backup is not available in the Essential edition or in the perpetual Standard edition.

What technical limitations should users know before buying?

Acronis True Image 2021 is a personal product: it does not support Windows Server operating systems and does not include commercial use rights, so company servers need an Acronis business solution instead. Blockchain-based file notarization and electronic signatures are reserved for the Premium edition and are not part of Advanced. Some protection functions, such as cryptojacking protection and recovery to dissimilar hardware, are available on Windows only, which Mac buyers should factor in. The included cloud quota is 250 GB, so households with large photo and video libraries should calculate their data volume before relying on full cloud replication.

What makes Acronis True Image 2021 Advanced useful in daily work?

Backups can be configured in two clicks to local drives, external disks, NAS, network shares or the cloud, so a daily schedule is set up once and then runs unattended. Version 2021 added resumable cloud replication: if an upload is interrupted, it continues from the point of interruption instead of restarting, which saves time and cloud quota on slower connections. The redesigned Web Restore page gives browser access to cloud backups, including the option to password-protect shared files and folders. Combined with active disk cloning, the software also covers a common practical task: migrating a working system to a larger SSD without reinstalling Windows or macOS.

What should users check before choosing Acronis True Image 2021 Advanced?

First, check whether off-site copies are actually needed: users who only want local image backups and cloning are also served by the Essential or perpetual Standard editions, which omit cloud storage. Second, compare the 250 GB cloud quota against the real size of the data to be replicated; Premium is the step up to 1 TB. Third, confirm the use case is private, since server deployment and commercial use are outside this product's scope. Buyers who need certified proof of file authenticity, for example for contracts, should look at Premium because notarization is exclusive to that tier.

Frequently asked questions about Acronis True Image 2021 Advanced

Can backup files be opened without running a full restore?

Yes. In version 2021, .tibx backup archives can be mounted as a drive, moved, renamed and converted to the .vhd format, so individual files can be browsed and copied out directly.

Does the software back up smartphones and tablets?

Yes. The Advanced edition supports unlimited mobile backups from iOS and Android devices, stored either locally on a computer or in Acronis Cloud via the mobile app.

Can other family computers be managed remotely?

Yes. The online dashboard provides remote management of protected machines and remote access to cloud backups, which is practical when one person maintains backups for several household computers.