Summary of Features Removed in ATI2015
Does the link provided in the Acronis forum's notification mail to you (reading something like "You can stop receiving emails when someone replies to this post, by going to http://[etc.]" not work for you?
Well, I found out how to make a shortcut - you have to copy and paste the backup number in manually. Plus the scripts were moved to a different folder. But - it doesn't matter anymore, because I upgraded to 2014.
(Whoever came up with that new interface should put away the bong now.)
IF I CANNOT MANAGE MY BACKUP FILES (deletion of individual backups), THEN MY EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FILLS UP. THAT MAKES THIS, AND I SUPPOSE ALL FUTURE, ACRONIS BACKUP SOFTWARE USELESS TO MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE USERS.
Acronis isn't the first software company to remove features, Microsoft have done that as well as some Linux distributions. On the up side, hopefully a slimmed down TI will be more stable and become more reliable.
More stable? Really? For who?
If Acronis now compares the flaws in it's software to Microsoft, we have bigger problems. You BUY Acronis BECAUSE of the flaws in the MS products, as a way to mitigate Windows shortcomings.
The problem for me is, since I work in the IT industry, I suggest, recommend, install, and support Acronis for work, friends, family, customers. When the product takes a sudden turn and bulk-removes a lot of features, here is why that causes problems:
Many of the people whom purchased 2014 TI based on my recommendation get the 2015 updates, and without my consent they upgrade. The upgrade and product have problems, then they ask me why I recommended this company with bad product updates like this 2015 product? IT makes me look bad, and when my images means more or less customers, that is a BIG problem for me. Not to mention my credibility goes down hill and people want me to suggest another product.
I don't understand is why they don't have a classic interface, which the user would have to select? Kind of like classic shell for Windows 8, so we can have a familiar interface throughout the versions. This "Classic Acronis Interface" could be disabled by default, so that advanced users would have to go in and turn it on, but at least we would have some commonality between the versions.
David
IF I CANNOT MANAGE MY BACKUP FILES (deletion of individual backups), THEN MY EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FILLS UP. THAT MAKES THIS, AND I SUPPOSE ALL FUTURE, ACRONIS BACKUP SOFTWARE USELESS TO MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE USERS.
BJT1045,
An alternative is to Create all new tasks with automatic cleanup so manual or individual l deletion is not needed.
YOur custom backup scheme tells the program how many chains to keep and the program automatically deletes the ones which exceed how many chains to store (store n' recent version chains).
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GH64. 71342: 2015 How to save a non-scheduled task.
Depending upon the type of backup scheme you wish to create, here is an example of each type. These can be set up for Disk image, or Partiton, or Files-folders backups. These example show how to set up automatic cleanup so the program will do the deletion after it reaches your set goal of how many chains to retain.
Editing an existing task is not recommended. Rarely does an edited task perform to user expectations. It is usually better to start with a new task using a new non-identical task name and point to a new storage sub-folder so each task has it own storage folder/sub-folder. Old task can be stopped or deleted from the task listings.
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Geez,
The more they say, the deeper the hole gets.
I am just racking up 2015 to the equivalent of Windows 98 R1, Windows ME, Vista, etc. It was a release, that at some point in the future, will be accepted by all as a release that should have never been. Removing features, less stability (when more is claimed), radical changes to the UI, and basic functions no longer work like the USERS want them to (deleting a backup job, or the ability to edit an existing one).
I have downgraded, and the backup job that would not run at all this weekend ran on the 2nd try with 2014, so I can now replace my friends MoBo, and get him back up and running.
My problem is, I told him to buy 2015, and he did but never used it. Now what do I tell him, you need to buy last years version, because the version I told you to buy, the one you never used, is so problematic that you were better off not running it anyway? These are the conversations the people who work for Acronis never have to have, and it's a shame because if they did, the releases and patches would be different.
Dave
David,
As you have indicated, the limitations of 2015 is a shock or at least a surprise to all of us long time users who are not associated with Acronis in any way. When we recommend a product, none of us like to see that recommendation put us in a bad light. When it does, we cease to recommend the product. Most times, my comments are meant to help our fellow user find a workaround to their issues.
I would like to add, with what they say, "a sharp departure" from the previous version, we should still have the ability to buy 2014 new. That way, if we want to use those features we lost by "upgrading" to 2015, then we still can. I had no issues with 2014, but my loyalty to the company, and my desire to see them do well and release new versions that are BETTER than previous versions, made me purchase the 2015 upgrade.
We lost a lot of functionality, some of which is still desired. Maybe I am wrong, but I never saw anything on the site that said, when you upgrade to 2015, you will lose these features... Most of the marketing stuff said " here is what you get if you upgrade", and nothing I ever saw said the upgrade removes these features from your past version.
Even if we cannot buy new 2014 version/license, I think we should be allow a downgrade, if we desire, to the 2014 version. Since Arconis people have mentioned Microsoft, even MS let you downgrade to earlier versions of Windows if you needed to, I remember buying a laptop with Vista, but I was allowed to downgrade my license to XP if needed, and the same if true with my recent Lenovo purchase, it came with Windows 8, but I also was entitled to use that license for Windows 7 if I so choose to.
So, either keep selling licenses of 2014, or let users convert their 2015 license to use a 2014 version. It only seems fair to me... what do other think?
David
In all seriousness, I would like to have my 6 copies of 2015, and 2 copies of 2015 Universal restore, downgraded if at all possible, so I would have more 2014 licenses. That would net me something like 12 total 2014 licenses, which I am fine with. And, while I am doing my wishlist, could I then also upgrade the other 13 copies of 2013, for a grand total of 25 total 2014 licenses? :) :) ;)
David,
Acronis has been willing to downgrade for some of the unhappy 2015 customers. Send the Acrnois Modertor a private message--perhaps pointing to this link. You might want to retain some of your 2015 licenses in case there are additional builds with upgraded drivers, recovery cd's, etc.
https://forum.acronis.com/user/36716
Hello,
I sent her a PM. What I am willing to do it downgrade all ASAP, and if the newer builds prove to be better, I would be willing to purchase another 2015 in the future if things go in the right direction.
Thanks for the 411, I did not know that was an option, so I will see what she can do for me.
Thanks,
David
Acronis usually releases a new version between the end of August to mid September every year. Since Windows 10 is going to be released late this summer or early fall, I would just wait for True Image 2016. The conversation I had recently with tech support about an issue I encountered with the 2015 WinPE didn't give me the impression that there is going to be a new build for 2015. If you purchased 2015 in the last 30 days you can request a full refund. True Image 2014 isn't going to be certified for Windows 10 and many users are having issues running it in the Technical Preview.
Fortunately True Image 2014 is working flawlessly for me under Win10 and hopefully it'll continue to. If it does not work correctly under the release version of Win10 then one of two things will happen: If there's a new True Image version which is more like 2014 in terms of functionality then I'll try it. If there is not, Acronis has plenty of good competition out there. I've tried a few of them. For my needs they are not better than True Image 2014 but they are FAR superior to True Image 2015. So, if I have to, I'll leave Acronis after being a customer for 6 years.
Just as I refused to run Windows 8 because I found it to be inferior to Windows 7, I refuse to run True Image 2015. It is an inferior product compared to True Image 2014.
I'm now running Windows 10 because Microsoft gave into user demand and reversed many of the changes it forced on users who didn't want them. Acronis did the same thing with the True Image 2015 release. Hopefully they'll see the light and restore the lost functionality with their 2016 release and maybe improve the product at the same time. If so, I'll buy the 2016 version and move forward.
I've been using Acrnois since version 8.0.. whenever that was. It went from being a good product, to a very good product.. and now.. bleh.
I just use it to image drives, but then I had a situation where I needed to search a backup for a file. Oh you can't do that.
Then I needed to check the log file of a backup. Oh, there is no log file.. which lead me here. Someone posted that the log files are in the system report.
event id="24" level="1" module="1" code="503" time="1432869636" message="Analyzing partition '1-1'..." /
I'm sorry, what time was that? Code 503? Is that an error? That's really useful, thanks.
And now since I pimp Acronis to my customers, now I have customers irate over this crap. Thanks again.
Now I have to evaluate alternatives, and there's a lot of them. Paragon, EaseUS, O&O, Time Machine, Macrium Relfect, Redo Backup, and others.
I have maybe a dozen licenses between my own and various customers. They won't be renewed.
Kiran
PS Even this forum is a wonky joke.
I contacted Acronis and got a refund for 2015 and reinstalled 2014.
Acronis usually releases a new version between the end of August to mid September every year. Since Windows 10 is going to be released late this summer or early fall, I would just wait for True Image 2016. The conversation I had recently with tech support about an issue I encountered with the 2015 WinPE didn't give me the impression that there is going to be a new build for 2015. If you purchased 2015 in the last 30 days you can request a full refund. True Image 2014 isn't going to be certified for Windows 10 and many users are having issues running it in the Technical Preview.
Please mind that ATI 2014 is not even certified / supported for use in Windows 8.x, which led me upgrade my and other customer computers ATI to 2015 at all.
I hope that your things said won't come true.
I use Acronis 2015 since the first Windows 10 CTP release, now being on release b10122.
1. ATI 2015 runs perfectly fine on Windows 10, execpt for the issue that happens when upgrading from Windows 7/8.x to 10 the image mounting does not work anymore which can be solved with a repair install.
Other than that ATI 2015 does not have any additional issues in Windows 10, except those we already have by design on Windows 7/8.x. There is still a long list of things that are not fixed yet in ATI 2015 and which will lead me to file an official complaint once ATI 2016 comes around.
It is embarassing that bugs, again, won't get patched but one is forced to evaluate their next version in hope for improvements.
2. I have subscribed to be chosen for the ATI 2016 beta. Till now I have not get any announcement / invitation. Generally speaking, it would be truely odd to release a next version, while not respecting a customers wish to participate in a beta, while the customer got a confirmation about that subscription and has been told he will be informed.
I really cannot believe such behaviour, so I hope that ATI 2016 will not come soon.
I have been using TIH for many years, but the last version I purchased was 2013. I recently purchased a Win 8.1 machine that boots UEFI and I cannot boot non-UEFI CD/DVD's anymore, which includes TIH 2013 Boot CD.
For that reason, I did the 30 day eval of TIH 2015. So long as I can backup and restore my system(s), I will continue to use the product, and I can wait for improvements. (or not!)
I have just had a catastrophic failure of a windows 7 machine, but I have a full backup from the previous day. One thing I would love to do, after I purchase a new machine, is convert the Windows 7 physical to a VM. I am sad to see that feature is reported to be missing in 2015. When I tried to convert TIB to VHD with TIH 2013, it did not work and it had a size limitation of ?? 128 GB ?? for the VHD.
I have started looking for a solution to the issue.
Jim
Unfortunately TI 2015 does not support conversion of TIB backup files to VHD. That feature can be found in the Acronis Backup 11.5 for PC and Acronis Backup Advanced 11.5 for PC however. See link below for the differences in products:
Hello james sparks,
You can do this:
1) Restore the image to another hard drive, unfortunately, you will need another hard drive. Save your receipt, and return it when done.
2) After you restore, DO NOT BOOT it. Boot to a partitioning program, if not Acronis, find a freebe, and use that. Shrink the partition down to less than 120GB (If possible).
3) backup the newly shrunk partition with 2013, and convert it to a VHD.
4) Boot the VHD and enjoy!
IF you have 1 Big C with all your stuff on it, then of course you will have issues. You can always find a working machine, go to a friends house, and install 2013, then mount that TIB and copy the filers you need away from it. Another option, use the EXTRA HDD you are going to return to Best Buy, and after the restore, attach it via USB to another machine, and copy away all the files you don't need to boot Windows. Your goal is to get the boot partition below 120GB. If you have enough space, split the partition, make a D: 2nd partition, and then copy your non-Windows files there. Again, once you have free enough space, shrink the C: partition on the external USB drive down below 120GB. Then, re-image with 2013, and convert to VHD.
Hope I gave you some ideas.
David
What a joke! It takes user forum MVP's and volunteers to post good, reliable information? What is a "volunteer" anyway? Are they paid employees of Acronis or just community do-gooders? If not already employees, perhaps Acronis should hire those people so that the main website and marketing information would be ACCURATE and COMPLETE!
Because I trusted that Acronis True Image was a solid product from past version and reviews, I purchased the update (from 2013 version). I did not realize how many features were missing until I need them... all after the 30 days! 30 days is not enough time to test and explore critical features of backup software!
Is an end user and customer really supposed to spend 30 days doing full regression testing of the software. As a end user and customer, am I really supposed to imagine and simulate a whole series of possible failure scenarios just to see if the software really functions correctly? What about features like incremental backups over a months time? Was I really expected to implement a bunch of accelerated schedules and then do massive changes on my drive just to see if the product works? Was I really supposed to go through a battery of test where I unplugged the internet cables and USB drives in the middle of a backup? Should I have forced a automatic Windows Update to occur in the middle of backup just to ensure that it would not cause corruption to the TI database?
I was the fool for not realizing that such cheap support must have indicated buggy software... so many bugs that the companies know that they couldn't handle the influx of calls without forcing people to pay more money. And now I see that it has been about 8 months since the last build released from TI 2015, but it has some serious bugs that need fixing.
You've lost me as a customer... and my good reviews. I'm going back to edit and remove any good reviews on various websites. No more money for software or subscriptions to Acronis. Very sad, because I liked the past product and the promise of improved backup solutions. That promise is broken.
From Perkins comments, perhaps they should have not called the TI2015 product True Image xxxx, but instead called it something like Light Image 2015, the different name would denote that many features of old are now missing or removed.
As for 8 months since updates, I can only think 2016 will be a complete rework, and maybe there will be a FREE 2015-2016 upgrade, and we get all the missing features back? Wouldn't that be swell :)
I felt like Perkins, but then I went back to 2014. I still can't believe that they cannot fix the ability to delete a backup from the main app window, and that you have to "edit files to remove a backup" is a known and common problem. That is like abc123 functionality stuff...
David
So has Acronis restored most things in 2016 release that were dropped in 2015? I see it did return Try&Decide.
From a review: "Try&Decide has been brought back to the program by popular demand".
I purchased a 3 PC license of 2016 & was hesitant to install once I read about the horror of the downgrade of 2015. I am running 2012 & am just fine with it, but want to install on a couple of other PC's.
What's the word 2016 users? Good, Better or Skip? Will my backups in .tib format be recognized in 2016?
What's the consensus on ATI 2016? I see Try&Decide has been returned. Have they restored it back to similar to 2012, 2013 & 2014?
I just purchased a 3PC license of 2016. I am running ATI2012 & was wondering if my .tib format backups will all be recognized.
I am hesitant to install until I hear better things than were reported on 2015. I am fine with my 2012 version, but want to install on a couple other of my PC's.
What's the word 2016 users?
David, I haven't read Perkins' comments directly, but from your summary, I would agree with Perkins. TI2015 was very much like a "Lite" version. I was an early and frequent critic of it. Not only was it missing many of the features a lot of users loved from previous versions, but the entire "update" scheme was almost stealthy. My 2014 version was automatically updated to the 2015 version but I was never notified about the enormous difference (and lack of features) the 2015 version would impose. It was a bit of a shocking experience, frankly. THEN, it was incredibly difficult to revert back to the 2014 version. So, like many other longtime users, I was genuinely upset about the entire experience with TI2015. BUT...
When 2016 was released, I had virtually given up hope with Acronis and figured I'd just run out the string with my 2014 version, then get something else when the time came. But Acronis encouraged me to "at least try" the 2016 version on a 30-day free trial. I strongly recommend doing that! The difference from the 2015 version to the 2016 one is like night and day! ATI2016 is like a complete re-work of the software and is MUCH, MUCH better than the 2015 version. ATI2016 brings back the features that were stripped out of the 2015 version, the interface is smooth and clean, and the performance is excellent. A completely different animal than the 2015 version. If you're on the fence about it, my honest and objective suggestion is to use the free trial and see for yourself. If you were never dragged into the 2015 morass and are just going directly from 2014 to 2016, you will probably wonder what we were all complaining about, and that's fine - just avoid the 2015 version unless your a masochist. But the 2016 version is solid. I'm extremely happy with ATI2016. Hope that helps somewhat...
Joe, please see the reply I sent to David above for a more detailed explanation, but my honest assessment of the 2016 version is that it is a winner! ATI2016 is MUCH better than the 2015 version. Not even close. I was genuinely annoyed after my experience with the 2015 version, but I am sincerely happy withe the 2016 version. I can't be any more enthusiastic, but I sure understand your heistancy to install. If there is a way you can try it first, I'm sure you'll be happy with it (i.e. ATI2016). If you have no choice but to install it to try it, all I can say is from my own experience, I think you'll be very happy with ATI2016. Going from the 2012 version, you'll notice the GUI is different, but don't panic - it's actually just a cleaner screen but all of the power and adjustments from earlier versions is still there in the menu system. Most (if not all) of the features are there. It's a really well-done piece of software. I have no idea why the 2015 version was ever imposed upon us, but that was a complete aberration - the 2016 version is excellent. Hope that helps.
I went ahead and purchased TI2016.
The Windows product seems better, I can backup without problems, and if I need to delete or stop a backup, that now works (it was broken in all the 2015 builds).
I am so happy I can once again delete a backup. This weekend, I am going to test the restores, and if all works well, I would say 2016 is GOOD.
My only complaint so far is with the MAX/OSX version. It seems the only option to backup a MAC to to the cloud, in that you cannot make TIB files for MAC? I downloaded the only *.DMG file available, and while it installed fine, no option to make a TIB? Not a dealbreaker, I use time-machine anyway with MAC, and it is rare to have to restore OSX because of it getting corrupted.
So, wish me luck, if all goes well I will be happy once again with a new version. I still use 2014 and even 2013 on many machines, 2013 still working great, I just don't know what to do with my unconvertable 2015 versions (I have several).
David
Wishing you luck, David! I have no personal experience with the MAC version so I can't comment intelligently (not that it has stopped me before...), but I suggest contacting tech support b/c there might be a way to convert the MAC backups when/if needed. Heck, the software might even be able to use MAC backups natively, I honestly don't know. But it seems like a foreseeable issue so tech support might have a suggestion for how to deal with it. Good luck with testing your restores. I did the same thing some time ago and eventually became convinced that everything that was bad in the 2015 version was "fixed" in the 2016 version. I trust the 2016 version now.
I'm also using 2016 after skipping 2015. True Image 2016 is definitely a good product. So far I've had no issued with it... things work well and so far it's been reliable. I'd recommend it to anyone who abandoned True Image 2015.
I can just chime in with you Infinite I can encourage anyone to subscribe for the beta tests of ATIH 2017. I think without the great feedback from all the testers we would not have seen this product in that described shape.
There are still a good portition minor and medium issues in ATIH 2016, but they do not have such impacts as I've seen them in ATIH 2014 and 2015.
to be honest for anyone that is still on ATIH 2012-2015 I would not go for 2016 right now, as it is kinda old. I am quite sure the TI 2017 is already in the pipe as there haven't been any patches in the recent weeks for ATIH 2016 anymore.
If you are not in hurry wait for the 2017 release or consider to buy an unlimited licence (subscription) that gives you access to all new versions.
Thanks for the great input & insight!
Try and Decide was the only feature restored in 2016, and if your computer is using GPT partitions with UEFI boot it doesn't work.
https://forum.acronis.com/forum/97308
It appears that Acronis has placed most of its R&D rescources into its cloud storage system and almost nothing into complying with UEFI GPT standards. True Image 2013 was the first version that promised GPT UEFI support. Three versions later and there have been no significant improvements. For example, here is a guide for 2016 that details the necessary steps to maintain the correct GPT partition order and full functionality of your system when replacing your disk.
https://forum.acronis.com/forum/101550
Some features that True Image 2016 is still lacking:
Ability to restore GPT partitions in the correct order on a new disk.
Ability to mount backups in read and write mode.
Meaningful error messages.
User friendly access to log files.
Ability to edit a backup task that produces predictable results.
Ability to manage and delete individual backups from a task without breaking the task.
32 bit UEFI WinPE plugin for Windows tablets.
New Cloud features
https://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2015/09/99741/2016cloud1.png
https://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2015/09/99741/2016cloud2.png
2015 and 2016 side-by-side
https://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2015/09/99741/2015_2016_1.png
https://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2015/09/99741/2015_2016_2.png
https://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2015/09/99741/2015_2016_3.png
https://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2015/09/99741/2015_2016_4.png
https://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2015/09/99741/2015_2016_5.png
https://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2015/09/99741/2015_2016_6.png
thanks for pointing this out Joey,
I think we really need some experts in the next ATIH 2017 beta so we can express our concerns and finally focus on GPT compatibility that lacks, just yesterday ATIH proved to be buggy in a clone GPT conversion scenario.
Linux Boot (b6027)
Sourcedisk HDD, MBR
clone (target): SSD, by ATIH proposed format GPT. Message told that the disk will be converted to GPT to make it bootable, hence the cloning process died with no specific error excecpt that it failed.
Grande show.