How do I stop these constant "Purchase 2015 Upgrade" prompts?
I suggest that everyone who comes here emails the Acronis board of directors every time they get the Acronis popup. That will get someone's attention.
E-mail is not effective. They can be answered very quickly by using a template. Open a chat session instead. Ask the supporter why the nag-screen is not down yet and tell them to ask the programmers. End with "CU tomorrow ;-)"
You know guys, I think adding the following line to "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts" file did solve the issue:
127.0.0.1 download.acronis.com
I don't think I saw that upgrade popup for a couple of days.
What bugs me is that I had to do this for a product that I paid money for. Plus I don't feel OK changing a global setting like that. Well, it's not that I would regularly go to download.acronis.com but still, I don't feel comfortable blocking DNS like that. I also see why this fix would be problematic for people with multiple installations, like in a corporate environment. Maybe search for using GPOs to change the host file.
So just thought to share it with you... because I lost all my patience waiting for Acronis to at least address this, let alone fix it.
Just got notifications on both my Win 7 machines this morning.
No, they're not listening over there.
try 127.0.0.1 *.acronis.com (it should make the site also not available) but then you know if it's ending with acronis.com or not
This method below always works..
Uninstall the program :)
try 127.0.0.1 *.acronis.com (it should make the site also not available) but then you know if it's ending with acronis.com or notThis method below always works..
Uninstall the program :)
I'd be careful when specifying a wider selector, especially with the * in it. What you're doing with that line is that you redirect all outbound Internet traffic to that particular site/subdomain to your localhost, or "yourself." In other words it doesn't go anywhere. So if you specify it "too wide" you may not be able to visit parts of the Acronis web site. (Well, not that you'd want to, anyway. But just in case...)
If you want to check if this fix is in place, add the 127.0.0.1 download.acronis.com line to the host file, and then paste download.acronis.com into your web browser. If it takes you to the Acronis site, then you haven't done it right. Make sure that you follow all the steps once again. If you did it right, you should either see "Site unavailable" message, or just a plain search engine with that line in search. (In some cases you may see IIS welcome page, if IIS server is installed on your machine -- for corporate people.)
I've used both the Firewall "rule" method and the "hosts" file method shared within this thread. Each works fine as a "user invented" solution to prevent the nag-messaging. I had to use the "Hosts" file method on one corporate machine where creating/setting a rule in the firewall is not allowed by IT. On my personal PC's, I was able to create a firewall rule and point it directly at the TrueImageMonitor.exe file. The "Hosts" file method would be the easier choice for most people to do. For anyone that hasn't followed one of these (2) methods, take a moment to put a muzzle on Acronis marketing via your PC.
ok.. Like I already said, and he said... that link did not work, so I said to use the * but it will block ALL traffic for that domain.
it was just a SUGGESTION to see if it's coming from xxxxxx.acronis.com at all.
it might was well. updatesucks.com/update
but at least you know where to look for.
Thought I was pretty clear when I said that everything gets blocked.
try 127.0.0.1 *.acronis.com (it should make the site also not available) but then you know if it's ending with acronis.com or notThis method below always works..
Uninstall the program :)I'd be careful when specifying a wider selector, especially with the * in it. What you're doing with that line is that you redirect all outbound Internet traffic to that particular site/subdomain to your localhost, or "yourself." In other words it doesn't go anywhere. So if you specify it "too wide" you may not be able to visit parts of the Acronis web site. (Well, not that you'd want to, anyway. But just in case...)
If you want to check if this fix is in place, add the 127.0.0.1 download.acronis.com line to the host file, and then paste download.acronis.com into your web browser. If it takes you to the Acronis site, then you haven't done it right. Make sure that you follow all the steps once again. If you did it right, you should either see "Site unavailable" message, or just a plain search engine with that line in search. (In some cases you may see IIS welcome page, if IIS server is installed on your machine -- for corporate people.)
To all the guys posting workarounds like firewall rules and hosts file entries, that's OK as a temporary workaround for this new "non-feature" in ATI. But that is besides the main point. I also know how to use software debuggers and disassemblers, but that does not mean I am going to start fixing the bugs in ATI.
I want Acronis to fix the software I paid them for and never turn it into nagware again. Why should I pay for and continue to use software that makes my life more difficult instead of easier?
I have more important things to do with my time than mess around with software that's annoying due to the vendor's misguided marketing practices. I can spend my time and money elsewhere.
I agree that Acronis "should" fix their own self imposed problems and I really wish they would too. Setting a simple Firewall rule or argument in the Hosts file is definitely a "workaround" in light of Acronis being unresponsive to their customers. In the absence of zero involvement from the manufacturer, users get creative, and I've seen this many times in my 40yrs of being in the computing industry.
try 127.0.0.1 *.acronis.com (it should make the site also not available) but then you know if it's ending with acronis.com or notThis method below always works..
Uninstall the program :)
won't work
hosts file don't accept/pays attention to wildcards
Really?
That's new to me. it used to be like that in the old days.
I am still getting these pop-up messages. I am running TIH 2014 and have absolutely no need to upgrade. This intrusive marketing should be illegal !
Soo many complaints and not a single word from Acronis..
Tells me enough not to buy a single thing, all because of their crappy customer service.
Glad I stopped at the Trial version.
Bought another program, and much happier with that.
Forcing notification of a free upgrade onto customers and then trying extort money is a crock.
So, I'm uninstalling all copies and won't be coming back. I suggest others do the same.
Acronis, stick that in your marketing strategy......
I had an online chat about this issue with Acronis today and here is what he told me.
"This is a known issue. Our experts are working on this for past couple of days."
I also suggested someone from Acronis should post on the forums what they're doing as there are a large number of threads on this subject. Guess we'll see if they take my suggestion.
I was also in the online chat today about this - but i got cut off half way into it. gave up. long sigh
Certainly will not be upgrading, even if I was planning on it before. I refuse to reward a company nagging me to upgrade.
Trying to block using DNS, hoping that does the trick. Thanks for the thread and FQDNs to block.
Certainly will not be upgrading, even if I was planning on it before. I refuse to reward a company nagging me to upgrade.
Trying to block using DNS, hoping that does the trick. Thanks for the thread and FQDNs to block.
Same here, my sentiments exactly. The funny thing is that I have been upgrading every year for the past 5 years or so - when I was ready to do so (I generally don't upgrade software immediately after a new release, I wait a few months - a lesson learnt from many years of experience in IT). But this dimwit tactic of theirs, nagging me to give them more money by putting stupid popups into the software I already gave them money for is having the exact opposite effect.
I will also be looking for a new backup solution - Paragon? Anyone using this? Thoughts on how it compares to TI
Pop ups still happening.
Simple solution, goodbye Acronis. I'm off to try something else that does not pester me when I already paid for it. User-created solutions are fine, but as customers we deserve better and the problem is symptomatic of the lack of respect that Acronis hold us in.
I still can't believe it, not NOBODY from ACRONIS jumped into this thread..
Unbelievable.... I'll give it a A+++ for the worst customer service I've ever seen.
https://kb.acronis.com/content/48518 ...
Note: having Acronis True Image notifications disabled, you will not see any notifications (e.g. after a successful backup and others) from Acronis True Image in the Notification area.....
https://kb.acronis.com/content/48518 ...Note: having Acronis True Image notifications disabled, you will not see any notifications (e.g. after a successful backup and others) from Acronis True Image in the Notification area.....
EXCEPT IT DOESN'T WORK
https://kb.acronis.com/content/48518 ...Note: having Acronis True Image notifications disabled, you will not see any notifications (e.g. after a successful backup and others) from Acronis True Image in the Notification area.....
Excellent suggestion Acronis, let's also throw out the baby with the bath water.
Folks, I see some movement on the other side ...
I had contacted the English chat support (due to the lack of a German chat support), I contacted them several times via e-mail AND I sent a mail to "managers@acronis.com".
Yesterday (and October, 3rd is German national day!) I received a phone call from a German supporter who wanted me to try to uncheck the box "search for new version at start". He told me that he hasn't installed the 2015 version yet and that this worked for him. He was a little clueless then, because he did not want me to disable the information service because that would ccripple a function of my software or to make another workaround. They ARE aware of this issue, and they know that people are annoyed by that screen. I asked him to read this forum so that he can see how urgent the matter is for Acronis, if they don't want to lose a whole bunch of disappointed customers.
Seems, that they really don't know how to fix this at the moment. I think that they use the information service to inform about any update, but the 2014 version posts information about the 2015 version, that are irrelevant for the 2014 users. It is not intended as an ad or to poke the users to upgrade! I hope, that they will fix this flaw soon!
The only problem I was having was that little icon that had no value remained in my tray. Once I used the HOSTS file and put in your first recommended line the icon disappeared after reboot. I'll keep an eye on it. I never got any of Acronis's adds or notifications for adds. Just the useless icon.
Even being able to disable update notifications is a bit too broad. I want to be notified of bug-fix releases to TI 2014 (which, even with the release of a new major version, should be provided) without being nagged to upgrade to 2015.
Even being able to disable update notifications is a bit too broad. I want to be notified of bug-fix releases to TI 2014 (which, even with the release of a new major version, should be provided) without being nagged to upgrade to 2015.
AaronMK, don't quote me on this but from reading this forum it's my understanding that Acronis does not provide any "free" updates. Once you installed it, that's it. That's all you get! Otherwise you need to pay for their "better than ever" yearly version. (Pretty much like Windows.) In other words, it's not Google Chrome or similar software that updates to the latest free version in the background without ever nagging you. (Off the subject -- that is why I'm all for open source software. Can't wait until someone makes a worthy backup solution like that. I'll say good-bye to all these private "closed" solutions like TI in a flash. So if someone comes across one, please post it here...)
I started off with ATIH 2013 and upgraded to 2014 but due to the nagging popups and the ridiculous situation where support has to be purchased 30 or 60 days after buying the product (in effect there is no support) I will be dropping Acronis and looking for an alternative backup solution.
I started off with ATIH 2013 and upgraded to 2014 but due to the nagging popups and the ridiculous situation where support has to be purchased 30 or 60 days after buying the product (in effect there is no support) I will be dropping Acronis and looking for an alternative backup solution.
Good. Me too. And since we seem to have this thread for ourselves (there's no Acronis employees here, except some early guy that probably disabled this thread's notifications by now) if you find a decent solution please post an update here so that we all can switch to something better.
Like you, I also got really "peeved" when I heard about purchasing support after 30 days. It's a total BS. We all know that software cannot have the same warranty as the physical goods.
I started off with ATIH 2013 and upgraded to 2014 but due to the nagging popups and the ridiculous situation where support has to be purchased 30 or 60 days after buying the product (in effect there is no support) I will be dropping Acronis and looking for an alternative backup solution.
Good. Me too. And since we seem to have this thread for ourselves (there's no Acronis employees here, except some early guy that probably disabled this thread's notifications by now) if you find a decent solution please post an update here so that we all can switch to something better.
Like you, I also got really "peeved" when I heard about purchasing support after 30 days. It's a total BS. We all know that software cannot have the same warranty as the physical goods.
I took the advice from an earlier post and decided to give the free version of Easeus ToDo Backup a whirl.
From what I've seen so far it gives the same features that I was using in ATI: incremental or differential partition backups as well as file backups plus PreOS and emergency disk. The Home version apparently has a few more features, but I'll look at those later.
And it's Free.
The paid version can do your e-mail etc..
but if you backup the folder, it already does that haha..
And if you sign up for their news letter
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I started off with ATIH 2013 and upgraded to 2014 but due to the nagging popups and the ridiculous situation where support has to be purchased 30 or 60 days after buying the product (in effect there is no support) I will be dropping Acronis and looking for an alternative backup solution.
Good. Me too. And since we seem to have this thread for ourselves (there's no Acronis employees here, except some early guy that probably disabled this thread's notifications by now) if you find a decent solution please post an update here so that we all can switch to something better.
Like you, I also got really "peeved" when I heard about purchasing support after 30 days. It's a total BS. We all know that software cannot have the same warranty as the physical goods.
I took the advice from an earlier post and decided to give the free version of Easeus ToDo Backup a whirl.
From what I've seen so far it gives the same features that I was using in ATI: incremental or differential partition backups as well as file backups plus PreOS and emergency disk. The Home version apparently has a few more features, but I'll look at those later.
Yeah me too. I tried out that Easeus ToDo Backup software as well before I purchased Acronis 2014. There are two major flaws with that software:
1. Their main executable asks for my administrator password when setting a repeating backup schedule -- a big security no-no. (Without going into details, NEVER provide your admin password for any software other than Windows own UAC prompt . The Easeus ToDo Backup wanted it in their settings window. The bad thing about it is that it has no choice but to save it somewhere on the hard-drive, or worse, upload to their server, and thus create a big security hole in your system!)
2. Upon contacting the company for clarification of the issue #1 above, I received a barely coherent response. It turns out that they are located in China. So I'm not sure if you want to trust the backups of your (sensitive) data to a Chinese company. In either case, I was not impressed.
I don't want to lead this thread off subject, but believe me, the only solution that would work here is the "open source" one.
I really cannot understand the Acronis attitude to support.
I use a number of products which provide ongoing support and updates as part of the original purchase.
Yeah me too. I tried out that Easeus ToDo Backup software as well before I purchased Acronis 2014. There are two major flaws with that software:
1. Their main executable asks for my administrator password when setting a repeating backup schedule -- a big security no-no. (Without going into details, NEVER provide your admin password for any software other than Windows own UAC prompt . The Easeus ToDo Backup wanted it in their settings window. The bad thing about it is that it has no choice but to save it somewhere on the hard-drive, or worse, upload to their server, and thus create a big security hole in your system!)
2. Upon contacting the company for clarification of the issue #1 above, I received a barely coherent response. It turns out that they are located in China. So I'm not sure if you want to trust the backups of your (sensitive) data to a Chinese company. In either case, I was not impressed.
I don't want to lead this thread off subject, but believe me, the only solution that would work here is the "open source" one.
Thanks for the info.
Maybe Windows Image isn't so bad after all. :)
Unfortunately, Windows Image IS so bad after all :(
It's like they tried to do Time Machine without the ability to automatically recycle the oldest file backups when drive space runs out. Epic fail.
Unfortunately, Windows Image IS so bad after all :(
It's like they tried to do Time Machine without the ability to automatically recycle the oldest file backups when drive space runs out. Epic fail.
Plus it was discontinued in Windows 8. All they have left is the ability to create a full disc image (manually.) Yeah, I know... Microsoft in their purest form :)
Although if you are stuck with Windows 8 they added a cool File History option that works like a "versioning" backup. So check it out. It's buried in Windows Explorer settings.
LOL
I use Rollback Rx all the time. next to AX64.
AX64 a restore takes a while.. but works.
Rollback Rx, snapshots / Restore takes a few seconds, and is hyper fast. Even if your PC crash.. you can still restore with it.
plus it creates a restore point on misc. triggers that you put in.. like setup etc..
So I am always save..
Even Viruses are history with this.
Snap back and within a few seconds, I have a new system.. + it doesn't take much space.
In addition to the two issues about EaseUS ToDo Backup that D B raised, I could not get it to run on my Windows 8.1 Pro X64 system - stalls after 15 minutes or so.
In the meantime I guess it's best to stick with the devil I know.
Perhaps if we keep kicking then Acronis will wake up and acknowledge the issues that are raised on this forum.
Agreed with others, they need to have an option to disable the upgrade nag notification. I'm a relatively new TI 2014 customer (bought it a couple months back, previously had never used Acronis before). I've been pretty happy up until this upgrade notification... Pretty low of Acronis to more or less force upgrades like this (pay the upgrade fee or constantly receive their advertisements, I can't just continue using TI as I was before, without the hostname resolution hack).
Unfortunately, Windows Image IS so bad after all :(
It's like they tried to do Time Machine without the ability to automatically recycle the oldest file backups when drive space runs out. Epic fail.Plus it was discontinued in Windows 8. All they have left is the ability to create a full disc image (manually.) Yeah, I know... Microsoft in their purest form :)
Although if you are stuck with Windows 8 they added a cool File History option that works like a "versioning" backup. So check it out. It's buried in Windows Explorer settings.
In regards to Windows backup, in a pinch I've always just had it overwrite previous backups since it can't monitor drive space and clean up old backups.
For Windows 8, you can still access the old backup and restore application carried over from Windows 7: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/12/using-windows-8s-…
@Abysal: That is an old article. Microsoft took out "Backup and restore" option from Windows 8.1 in the way it was present in Windows 7. You can still make an image but only manually. But, aside from bashing Microsoft, "Backup and restore" wasn't that reliable anyway so I wouldn't use it. (I tried it for a few months and it kept failing with those weird 0x800344blahblah Microsoft errors. So I decided that it was not worth the risk of losing my data.)
What I would really suggest people do on Windows 8 is enable the new File History option. For people who ever used Macs it's pretty much like the Time Machine, or a versioning backup. I look at it this way. It comes with the OS for free so why not use it. And the best of all, it's built into the Windows Explorer on Windows 8, so you don't have to install anything. The most one needs to do is enable it. So just thought to share it, since it might be useful for the backup purposes.
It's really dissappointing how Acronis TI has turned into payed(!) nagware. I also see this popup every day. They nag me to pay another 29€ for the next update.
I think this is a really super-bad advertising descision and hurts the reputation of Acronis a lot, to a degree where I am looking for alternatives now.
Do you know how sublime - a great code-editor works?
It is free to use and only nags you quite rarely to buy the full version.
When you buy the full version, the nag screens are done. Duh!
Or just be honest and turn it into a subscription model like Adobe Cloud or Office 365 and stop nagging us if you want regular payments instead of one-time purchases.
ok, had a ticket open and trying to close it....
I keep sending RESOLVED in the email, and still they keep asking how I am doing..
well...
so if they are reading it.... maybe it will stop this time
As for the annoying popups: they can be stopped by customising the notification area icons as shown in the attached PNG file.
Kinda pointless to disable it in Windows..
but whatever..
Kinda pointless to disable it in Windows..
but whatever..
If the objective is to stop it happening then it is hardly pointless.
What else were you hoping to achieve?
Kinda pointless to disable it in Windows..
but whatever..If the objective is to stop it happening then it is hardly pointless.
What else were you hoping to achieve?
People are trying to disable the Upgrade Now popup.. Not the other popups (if there are any)
Comment on True Image Monitor:-
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/9223#comment-23308- "This program is not required by Acronis True Image to perform its tasks"