How to use the MVP Tool with Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office to create WinPE/RE Recovery Media

Hi

I'll try. 

Hi Paul, thanks for sharing this information - it works just fine for me with ACPHO running on Windows 11 on a test Hyper-V VM I am using.

I have created a small Powershell script that will automate the necessary actions in your initial post for anyone who would like to use it.  It does exactly as you advise with some additional safety checks to ensure it is only used when ACPHO is installed!

The key caveat for any user running Powershell is that they must first run a command to allow scripts to be run otherwise all scripts are blocked by default.  The command is:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

This should be done from an Administrator Powershell prompt or Powershell ISE panel.

The Powershell script (AllowMVPtool.ps1) has the following lines:

#Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

$ati = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\TrueImageHome\WinPE"
$acp = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice\WinPE"

if (!(Test-Path $acp))
    {
    Write-Host "Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office not found - terminating script" -ErrorAction Stop
    }

if (!(Test-Path $ati))
    {
    Write-Host "$ati directory not found"
    New-Item -ItemType Directory $ati
    Write-Host "$ati directory created"
    }

if (Test-Path $ati\winpe_resources.dll)
    {
    Write-Host "$ati\winpe_resources.dll exists"
    Remove-Item -Path $ati\winpe_resources.dll -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    Write-Host "$ati\winpe_resources.dll removed"
    }

if (!(Test-Path $ati\winpe_resources.dll))
    {
    Write-Host "$ati\winpe_resources.dll not found"
    Copy-Item -Path $acp\winpe_resources.dll -Destination $ati
    Write-Host "$ati\winpe_resources.dll copied from $acp"
    }

if (!(Test-Path HKLM:\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\TrueImage))
    {
    Write-Host "TrueImage registry entry not found, new registry key being added"
    New-Item -Path HKLM:\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\TrueImage
    }
if (Test-Path HKLM:\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice)
    {
    Write-Host "CyberProtectHomeOffice registry key found - copying to TrueImage"
    Copy-Item -Path HKLM:\Software\WOW6432Node\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice -Destination HKLM:\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\TrueImage
    Write-Host "Registry key copied"
    }

A zipped copy of the Powershell script is attached below to help avoid any copying errors.

Note: the script will check for and delete an existing winpe_resources.dll file if found to allow for being used after any new builds for ACPHO are installed.

Steve,

Thanks for writing this script. It looks good to me. I'm sure many users will find it very handy.

Hi Mustang

I have created  Recovery Media using the MVP PEBuilder Tool following your pieces of advice but still trial version of ACPHO. Any sollution?

oh thanks, this thread helped me a lot!

Hi Mustang,

Thank you for your efforts.

Unfortunately, this solution does not work with Windows 11 Pro.
After starting your program with admin rights there is an error in the process when adding the ATI file (winpe_resources.dll). File is not found and is not included in the WinPE11. Only the WINPE11 is running ith your add programs.I use Win11Pro with Win11 ADK full installation. I tried it in two different new computers with Windows 11 Pro.
The Windows-User is an admin und in the group. But, if i tray to copie the File winpe_resources.dll in the folder or create a folder in C:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\TrueImageHome\WinPE i have to confirm the access in the folder again with admin rights in Win11.

Do you have a solution suggestion or is your program possibly still adapted to ACPHO ?

Hans, the procedure advised by Mustang (Paul) in this topic has been tested and proven to work with Windows 11 along with ACPHO.

If you not using ACPHO and have an older version of ATI installed in Win 11, then you don't need to use the procedure here.

The core issue that is being addressed here is that the MVP Custom PE tool relies on the program structure created by Acronis True Image which Acronis has changed with the introduction of Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office which broke the tool.  The workaround is to simply copy the required Acronis WinPE resource file from the new ACPHO program folder to a new folder using the old naming convention.

If you have ACPHO installed but don't have the winpe_resources.dll in theC:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice\WinPE folder, then I would recommend doing a Repair Install of ACPHO to resolve this.

Hi Steve,

i created and copied without problem the File winpe_resources.dll in the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\TrueImageHome\WinPE. The file exist in ACPHO WinPE folder.

ACPHO himself works fine in my Windows 11 Pro. always new installations.

The Problem is, the MVP can not add the File because "file not found to add" in the ADD ATI procedure in MVP.

I tested it in two diffent new installeted PC´s.

Hans, it might be best if you can post the log file from the MVP tool logs folder to help set the error message in context.

Hi Steve,

they are no errors in the log file.

You can see the errormassage in the screenshot in pic3.jpg : "the system cannot find the specified file"

Hans, there seems to be some mixed messages being shown here!  The screen shot says the file wasn't found but the log says it was!

20-12-2021   01.26.45   Leaving the WinPE default language as English - USER selected. 
20-12-2021   01.26.45   True Image Found.  Adding It. 
20-12-2021   01.26.45   True Image snapman Version: NotFound 
20-12-2021   01.26.45   Snap Deploy Not Found.  Skipping It. 
20-12-2021   01.26.45   Universal Restore Not Found.  Skipping It. 
20-12-2021   01.26.45   Disk Director 12 Not Found.  Skipping It. 
20-12-2021   01.26.45   Acronis Revive Not Found.  Skipping It. 
20-12-2021   01.26.45   Adding in extra goodies. 

I guess that the next step is to try booting from the MVP media and see which is telling the truth?

Hi Steve,

thanks. To day it works to create the MVP winPE with ACPHO, but it is only a not registreted trail version. see post from RAF65.

Hans, if ACPHO is correctly registered / activated, then please ensure that you did the registry changes too, or used the Powershell script to do all the changes for you.

Hi Steve,

the problem with the registration-key is. After start the MVP-ACPHO-WinPE11,

the MVP-tool write the key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Acronis\TrueImage(standard),

but ACPHO need the key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice(standard).

if i copy it manually in this area in the registy with CMD and regedit then the licence works fine, full.

But i have to do it after every start of the WinPE11. Any sollution for this registryproblem ?

Hans, the copied registry entry needs to be done in Windows 11 and then the MVP tool will copy it as needed to the WinPE media without needing you to make such changes.

Steve,

i do the registrychanges in my original Windows 11. But in the MVP-Boot-ISO it is in the wrong position in the registry for ACPHO

ACPHO need the key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice(standard) in the WinPE-System-ISO.

The MVP-Tool copy it in the wrong position in the registr to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Acronis\TrueImage. In this position in MVP-BOOT-ISO ACPHO don´t found the right key.

Hans, we will need to wait on Mustang (Paul) joining in this conversation as he is the author of the original script used for the MVP tool and will be best placed to comment on the issue with registry entries and to make any changes needed.

Out of interest, which version of the MVP tool are you using?  Is it v186 or v190?

Have just booted up my Windows 11 Hyper-V VM with ACPHO installed / activated then booted the same system into the MVP PE media with ACPHO and all looks correct and not in trial mode.

I suspect your problems are language related. The MVP Tool works best when the system language is set to English-US. V190 was an attempt to make it work properly in all languages. It doesn't seem to be working well in Windows 11 when the system language is set to German.

Hi Mustang,

thanks for the informations. i will try it with this informations.

But how i can get the version V190. I´m using V186.

i Don´t have a googleaccount to download it from the link.

can i get the V190 in a other way ? or other downloadlink ?

You can download it here http://www.mechrest.com/plugins/MVP_ATIPEBuilder/Advanced/MVP_ATIPEBuilder_v190.zip  

Hi Steve and Mustang,

i try it with the MVP v190 and in english. the same problem in the key with only trail version.

if i add manually(CMD,Regedit) the key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice(standard) it works fine in the in MVP-WinPE.

Mustang can you help me to add the key in the registry in the boot.wim ?

How i can do it manualy with DISM or DISM++ ?

Hans, did you actually copy the correct registry key in Windows as per the initial post of this topic:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis

You shouldn't need to be copying the one you listed above.

Steve,

yes, i copied it in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\TrueImage(standard without the quotes) in my Windows11.

i also copied it in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Acronis\TrueImage in my Windows11

but, after create and start the MVP-BOOT-ISO the are no key or acrónis text in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node.

Only in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Acronis\TrueImage are a the key in WinPE.

but we need it at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice(standard).

How can i add this key in boot.wim with DISM ?

Hans, on my MVP WinPE media when booted on my Win11 VM system, the correct registry key is already shown present as below:

Note: there is no entry in the Wow6432Node tree path but is found under Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice instead.  This has been done automatically by the MVP tool script and not by myself manually.

Hans, I need to offer you an apology here - I have just recreated my own MVP PE media on the Win11 VM system using this process for this topic and I too found that it then showed as a Trial version when booted!

Having thought about this further, I then remembered that before Paul came out with this process work-around I had used a different method of creating my MVP rescue media which did not result in a trial version!

I will review this further to see if I can find a simple method of updating the registry with the correct key.  The process that I was using previously was to first create the normal Simple WinPE media as a .wim file then modify that file using a modified batch command file based on the MVP tool.

steve,

thank you for your efforts. i send you the screenshot from the registry in my MVP-WinPE.

In pic5 are no reg-key from ACPHO after creating the MVP-ISO.

Hans, if you are happy using DISM to mount the MVP PE media .WIM file then you can use the following three commands to copy the required registry key to that .WIM registry hive to ensure that ACPHO is seen as a full registered version.

reg load "HKLM\MVP" C:Mount\Windows\System32\Config\Software

reg copy "HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice" "HKLM\MVP\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice"

reg unload "HKLM\MVP"

The above is taken from a Powershell script I have been using for testing, so you need to replace the mount path with the path where the .WIM has been mounted by DISM, then dismount the WIM when finished.

Hans,

You can add the key as follows:

This will assume you created the MVP media on a USB drive at drive letter F: 

You need to create a mount point folder. Say at C:\mount

1. Open a command prompt as Administrator and enter:

dism /Mount-Wim /WimFile:F:\sources\boot.wim /Index:1 /MountDir:C:\mount

2. Open regedit.exe and highlight HKLM. Then select Menu File/LoadHive...

3. Select the SOFTWARE hive found at C:\mount\Windows\System32\Config

4. Name the hive REMOTE_SOFTWARE

5. Navigate to HKLM\REMOTE_SOFTWARE\Acronis and create the license key you need.

6. Highlight HKLM\REMOTE_SOFTWARE and select Menu File/Unload Hive...

7. Go back to the command window and enter:

dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:C:\mount /commit

Dear Mustang and Steve,

thank you very much.

Now it works very fine for me. ACPHO is now directly a registreted version in MVP.

Hans,

Glad to hear it is working for you.

Thanks for letting us know about this issue.

Just curious... as I read through this topic, I see references to HKLM\Software\Acronis\TrueImage. Is it not HKLM\Software\Acronis\TrueImageHome which contains the information?

Bruno, the license data for ACPHO has to be in a matching registry entry and not in any of the ATI ones else it comes up as being a trial copy!

Mustang / Hans, I have found what may be a simpler method that users can employ to get the ACPHO license data copied to the MVP PE media - this is as follows:

Launch the MVP PE tool as Administrator and follow the prompts up to the point where it asks if the user wants to inject CUSTOM drivers into the media.

Pause at this point and then run the following Powershell commands / script.

# Powershell CopyLicense.ps1 script

# Run this script when the prompt to inject CUSTOM drivers is shown (before selecting a reply option).

$mountpath = $env:TEMP+"\MBM-VOU-PBS-WBT-IOA-N3N-PCG-EO\PE\mount"   # Folder used by MVP tool for DISM mount operations.

reg load "HKLM\MVP" $mountpath\Windows\System32\Config\Software

reg copy "HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice" "HKLM\MVP\Acronis\CyberProtectHomeOffice"

reg unload "HKLM\MVP"

Once the above commands have been executed, continue with the MVP PE tool to create the PE media.  Note: this assumes that the original changes described by Mustang in the first post of this topic have been actioned before using the MVP PE tool.

Bruno,

True Image has always had the license code under the TrueImage registry key and not the TrueImageHome key. In a 64 bit Windows system with TI 2021 installed, you will find the license code at HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\TrueImage.

Other information will be found at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Acronis\TrueImageHome and at HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\TrueImageHome.

Steve,

Thanks for an easier way to fix the license issue.

Mustang wrote:

Bruno,

True Image has always had the license code under the TrueImage registry key and not the TrueImageHome key. In a 64 bit Windows system with TI 2021 installed, you will find the license code at HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\TrueImage.

Other information will be found at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Acronis\TrueImageHome and at HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Acronis\TrueImageHome.

Thanks for the clarification.

Mustang, I am trying to use the MVP tool to create Recovery Media with Acronis Cyber Protect Home. I am trying to follow the steps outlined in your original post above.

I have no problem creating the directory down to TrueImageHome\WinPE using the Windows Admin Powershell. Then the first time I try to copy winpe_resources.dll to that new subfolder, the system creates a zero length file. I tried again and the system wouldn't let me overwrite the zero length file. I tried this with File Explorer, the Windows Admin Powershell and TreeSize Free Admin - none would let me do the copy. I also checked the folder and file permissions. Initially they said they disabled read/write so I tried to change all of that down the folder chain to Full Control for the users admin and me but no success. (I also tried to delete the zero length file - no joy)

Help!!

FYI, I am using Win 11 Home, Version 21H2,  OS Build 22000.376, Experience: Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22000.376.0 (whatever that means).

Thanks for the guidance - I have been impressed by you guys over the years.

Bob

Bob, have you tried running the Powershell script I posted on Wed, 11/10/2021 - 22:01 which checks for the copied DLL file and deletes it if found before making a fresh copy?

See also the further Powershell script I posted on Tue, 12/21/2021 - 17:16 to deal with copying the ACPHO license to the rescue media to avoid being told it is a trial version! 

Hello folks, since this is of great interest to a lot of MVP fans/admins, could you be kind to list the full working steps?

I am lost in the sequence of things to make sure all works right away.

Your efforts are much appreciated to simplify this.

Kaisar, welcome to these public User Forums.

The correct sequence that needs to be followed is:

1. Ensure you have a copy of the MVP Custom PE Builder script tool extracted to a local folder.  Add any Extra PE tools and/or device drivers as needed in the relevant folders for the script tool.
    
2. Ensure you are working with Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office - these steps are only needed for ACPHO, not for any recent version of Acronis True Image.
    
3. Perform the steps given by Mustang in the initial post for this topic, or alternatively, open an Administrator Powershell window (or Powershell ISE window) and run the script in my post dated Wed, 11/10/2021 - 22:01
   Note: You need to set the Powershell execution policy to RemoteSigned  if not already done previously - see the first line of the script for the command to use (after removing the # comment marker).
   This step will copy the ACPHO data needed to allow the MVP Custom PE script to find and include the application as if it were ATI.
    
4. Run the MVP Custom PE script as Administrator using your normal options but pause when you get to the point where it asks if the user wants to inject CUSTOM drivers into the media.  (Do not answer this prompt at this point!).
    
5. Perform the additional steps needed to copy the ACPHO license data as described in my post on Tue, 12/21/2021 - 17:16 - this can be done in the Administrator Powershell window using the script provided in my post.
   This will allow the MVP PE media to work as a full licensed application instead of being seen as a Trial version with the limitations this can bring.
    
6. Return to the MVP Custom PE script and answer the prompt about Custom drivers and allow the script to complete.

See attached screen images showing the above and the end result (using the Powershell scripts.

Having same problem too.

Hello Steve and Mustang. Thank you for all you guys do. 

Steve, I did your solution of using your copylicense powershell script and it worked great. I was finally able to make sure the license stuck in the PE environment.

I only have one small issue...unrelated. Has anyone come across a fix for the top of cyberprotect home to be cut off when opened in the PE environment. I think it's because of my 4K tv. But it's fine on laptops. No big deal, I can still perform restore and backup functions.

Thanks again both of you.

Aaron

Arron,

You can grab the corner of the GUI and move the mouse at a 45 deg. angle to increase the size of the window. That will make the entire line show.

Greetings.  I am pretty technical and understand the issue of building a rescue disc if you have removed your rescue partition and it can't find a specific windows file.  

Yesterday I installed Cyber Protect Home Office with cloud backup on a laptop (i have a multi-PC license).  I had recently upgraded this laptop with an SSD drive and it runs great.  However after the backup completed the windows PE boot flash drive build failed. Upon research I found it was probably due to the fact that the original OEM rescue partition is either no longer there or not found.

I was able to create a linux-based one successfully.

Do I need to go through using additional tools, downloading SDK's etc to get the windows boot flash drive to create or will I be fine with the linus-based one? I understand up until a few years ago the boot disk/flash drive was Linus based anyway?
 

Thanks,
BJB

BJB, this particular topic has been superseded by the advent of the new rescue media builder feature of the MVP Assistant tool.

See forum topic: MVP Assistant - New 2.0 with Rescue Media Builder (New Version 2.1.1)

The OEM rescue partition does not play any part in media building - it is only used to perform a factory restore / reset, i.e. to return the laptop back to how it was shipped from the maker.

If you want to check the status of the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) then you can do this from an Administrator command prompt using the command:

REAGENTC /INFO

If the WinRE partition is missing, corrupted etc, then you can try initially using the commands:

REAGENTC /DISABLE
REAGENTC /ENABLE

to see if this will resolve any basic issues, otherwise installing a new build of Windows or doing an in-place install of the current build version will rebuild or repair the WinRE partition.

The MVP Assistant media builder is only for Windows PE / RE based rescue media, so will work either with WinRE, or the matching Windows ADK & PE kits for your Windows OS version.  It can also use an existing .WIM file from a rescue media disc or USB media.

If the Linux based rescue media works for you, then you can obviously continue using that.  The key issue with such Linux media are its limitations of not supporting BitLocker encryption or RAID drives, which can include some NVMe M.2 SSD's.

Steve,

Thanks. I saw another thread where a windows file that build needed was missing. I might have misread recovery partition vs. Win RE partition where the missing file the builder needed was located.

I have not been able to test the Linux boot disk yet. But have no NVMe or bitlocker situation. So should be good?

I can only assume my Win RE environment did not survive the clone of the mechanical HD to a 2.5 inch SATA SSD.

As always, thanks for your help.  Next time I have some time with that laptop I will run those commands.

BJB

I've followed the directions and added the regedit keys and the folders, but I cant get it to work. When running the MVP WinPE builder v19, it says it is adding TrueImage (Cyber Protect Home) but when I boot it up, true image is missing. What do I need to do?

Anthony, welcome to these public User Forums.

This tool has been deprecated in favour of the new MVP Assistant tool which includes a Rescue Builder feature and works with ATI 2019 - 2021 and ACPHO.

MVP Assistant - New 2.0 with Rescue Media Builder (New Version 2.6.1)