Differential backups
Please excuse me if I ask what appears to be a stupid question. I have read about differential backups in the help file, and want to try creating one. My problem is this: I know that, if I create a test differential backup (called Test), the first backup will be a full one. Assuming I do not have a backup schedule, how do I create the differential backup to 'Test'? If I right click on the 'Test' file in the list on start up, there isn't a option that I can see which says 'create a differential backup, using this as the full backup', or words to that effect.
In short, how do I do it practically? I'm afraid I didn't find the help file very helpful, other than to tell what the theoretical pros and cons were to various methods.
Many thanks for any help you can provide
Thanks Bobbo for your reply. It doesn't seem possible to do what I want without using a (semi) automated task. In the past, I have always used full backups, but time constraints are making me look to differential backups. All I wanted to do was to identify a full backup which I had prepared earlier, then click on it with an option such as 'use this as the inital full backup and rescan the drive, creating a differential file'. I wanted to do it this way because I don't know when I will be using my computer. Presumably ATI will let me know that a backup is due when I am actually using my PC. Anyway, for the time being, I will experiment with the in built tools. Many thanks for your help.
Bleamoor, there is a way to do what you want to do. However, to perform this with ATI running under Windows, you will need to create a task. If the full backup exists as a task, then you will need to delete the task, but select "Settings Only". Then you would add the full backup as an existing backup...picture 1 below.
After adding the backup, you can then "reconfigure" the backup as a differential backup...hit the reconfigure button in the lower right corner....picture 2
Then select the Options button...picture 3
On the schedule tab, select do not schedule...picture 4.
On the backup scheme tab, select differential, then select the radio button "Create only differential versions after the initial full version"...picture 5 below.
You can then go through the rest of the backup tabs and set the items like you want. After the task is complete, hit the OK button in the lower right.
Hitting the OK button will take you back to the main screen...picture 6 below.
Hit the backup now button, which will save the task and perform a differential backup using the selected full backup.
Then, any time you want to perform a differential backup, select the task and hit the backup now button.
Hope this helps.
FtrPilot
Many Thanks FtrPilot. I shall carry out your instructions. It's a pity that your solution is not an integral part of ATI, or at least referred to in the Help guide.
Hello FtrPilot. I've just got round to trying your solution, but I am unclear about the first paragraph. Are you implying that I need to set up a scheduled task under Windows 10 to basically 'call' Acronis up to run a previously saved backup plan (which contains the parameters which I would set for a manual backup)? Where you say 'If the full backup exists as a task.....', are you referring to a Windows task, or an Acronis one? I'm sorry to be so dense; my brain must be on holiday!
Bleamoor, In my response, I am referring to an Acronis task. Everything is referenced to True Image...not Windows.
What I was trying to say is that with ATI running under Windows versus ATI running under rescue media (Linux or WinPE), you need to create an ATI task.
Picture 1 below shows how to delete a task.
Picture 2 below shows "Settings Only".
