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Want to replace WD Backup and File History with ATI 2017

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I would like to remove all traces of WD Backup and File History from external hard drives and then install ATI 2017. I'm hopeful that a basic use of ATI 2017 to backup files and make an image of C:\ would be easy (I'm so tired of wading thru instruction manuals, entire electrical career of that!). I have tried to get rid of the WD stuff from a 2TB and 4TB external hard drives and change to File History but could not get rid of 100%. With File History there was no apparent way to see the progress of it during the backup. 

What are the PROS and CONS of the Perpetual vs the Subscription versions? I would just like install ATI 2017 (with minimal research and fighting), start the backup process and be assured that it is doing it's job, with some checking or email notices to confirm it.

Does the Phone support mentioned for the Subscription versions last the entire period of 1 or 2 years? I have searched for some of these answers to no avail.

Thanks for  your help, Tom

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Thomas, welcome to these user forums.

I cannot help you directly with regards to removing all traces of your WD Backup and Windows File History - I would expect that you could uninstall the WD Backup program / software then delete any remaining backup files stored on your external hard drives from this product.  With Windows File History you would need to turn off this function in the Windows Control Panel, after which you should be able to delete any backup storage locations on the external drives.

ATIH 2017 can do all of what the WD Backup and Windows File History was able to do for you, though will do this in different ways most likely.

The ATIH 2017 GUI presents a fairly simple / intuative layout that you should be able to follow without needing to read indepth instruction manuals for, but I would recommend reading the ATIH 2017 User Guide for the first three sections which cover the basic functions and concepts of the software and will help you in the choices that you will need to make when creating your backups.

In terms of the Pros and Cons of the Perpetual versus Subscription license versions - these are really a matter of personal preference.  A Perpetual license is 'buy once, use for as long as it works'  which includes any updates released during the support period for the software but not any new versions that may be released.

A Subscription license will normally come bundled with an amount of Acronis Cloud storage where the price depends on the size of storage, but with this license then you are entitled to free updates and upgrades to new versions released during the subscription period.  The key difference with Subscription versus Perpetual license is that currently when the subscription ends, the product also loses key functionality and can only be used to Restore / Recover backups that have already been created, plus all Cloud storage is deleted after 30 days.

Phone support should be available during the period of a Subscription but most users probably choose to use either the Live Chat support method which is via a web browser, or use email support for those issues where you don't want to be tied to the computer or a phone.

Some further notes:  
Email notifications need to be configured within the task settings if you want to get a detailed log of task actions, otherwise you can control this in your Acronis Account settings.  

Automatic cleanup needs to be configured / enabled for your backup tasks in order for Acronis to manage your backup files and size of backups, so that your backup drive doesn't become full and the backups stop working because of this.

Thank you, Steve, for your volunteer help!

I downloaded what was labeled as the ATI 2017 User Guide for PC. I assume I just ignore the ATI 2017 Next Generation paragraphs if I go with the Standard 1 year 1 Time or 1 year Subscription license? (I believe the Next Generation refers to the Premium, 1TB cloud storage license version). I'm thinking there would be a User Guide for the non-premium license version?

I was able to start up the WD Smartware software and it gave me the ability to erase the external drive. So, when I'm comfortable understanding the first 3 chapters of the Users Guide (plus whatever else pops up) I think I will be ready to dive in.

Thanks again

Thomas, there is only the one user guide for ATIH 2017 which covers both the Standard and Premium versions, so you would just need to ignore any sections which deal with the function that is only available in the Premium version.  Premium = New Generation = Subscription only version.