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just discovered that I'm using a 32 bit version. Will it corrup my backups to get the 64 bit version.

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To my knowlege, I was never given an option to download the 64 bit version of Acronis True Image 2019 when I purchased it. I just learned that I have the 32 bit version. I have been making backups for a couple of years now. It's incredibly slow, even to make an incremental backup. So here are my questions:

1. Is it even possible to replace the 32 bit version with the 64 bit version?

2. If so, how does one do this without losing one's backups?

3. If so, will doing so invalidate my current purchase and require me to start over again.

4. if it is possible to download the 64 bit version, is there any real upside to doing so

5. If I successfully download it, will I lose the backups I've already made and have to start over?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer these questions.

1 Users found this helpful

Susan, welcome to these public User Forums.

There are no available 64-bit versions of either Acronis True Image or the current follow on product, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office.  These are all currently 32-bit applications though that may change for ACPHO if Acronis complete the suggested full application rewrite of this specific program sometime in 2022.

The current versions of ATI & ACPHO all work correctly for both Backup and Recovery plus for Cloning regardless of being 32-bit.

Note: the Acronis bootable Rescue Media is available as both 32-bit and 64-bit stand-alone applications where the 32-bit version can be used on any PC, but obviously, the 64-bit version only works when on matching hardware.

Steve, am I correct in my understanding that the same application is used by both the 64bit and 32 bit recovery media - it merely describes the OS being used. The application itself is still 32 bit.

Ian

IanL-S wrote:

Steve, am I correct in my understanding that the same application is used by both the 64bit and 32 bit recovery media - it merely describes the OS being used. The application itself is still 32 bit.

The honest answer Ian is that I have not worried about this and just use the version that matches the PC I am working with.  I cannot see why Acronis would give the 2 menu options in the rescue media if there were no real difference between them!  With WinPE boot media, 32-bit media won't run on a 64-bit PC but with Linux boot media??

We need some clarification here on WinPE. 32 bit programs will not run in a 64 bit WinPE. 32 bit programs run in a normal Windows 64 bit system because it contains a system called WOW meaning Windows on Windows. Their is no WOW support in 64 bit WinPE so 32 bit programs can't run. That forced Acronis to write a 64 bit version to run in a 64 bit WinPE.

PC's with a 64 bit processor can run both 32 and 64 bit WinPE. The same is true for Linux. PC's with a 32 bit processor can't run 64 bit media. I have found that more modern 64 bit PC's will boot 32 bit WinPE but not have any mouse or keyboard support making it useless. Linux doesn't have this problem so 32 and 64 bit media will work on a 64 bit PC. 

Having said that, 32 bit WinPE can only boot on a 64 bit PC if booted in Legacy mode. This requires enabling CSM support in the BIOS and selecting Legacy mode at boot time. 64 bit WinPE can be booted in both UEFI and Legacy mode on a 64 bit PC.

Paul, thanks for your insights and clarification!

I'm not sure these answers clear up the phrased question.

Everything written to disk/media must comply with the format of the media. In other words, it matters not whether an operating system or supported software are 32 or 64-bit: this only determines how instructions are performed within the software and operating system itself.

As the results of 32/64-bit processes therefore write the same end result to an NTFS-formatted disk (for example) then, it matters not whether a disk image or backup image is created with a 32-bit or 64-bit system: Either ought to be able to read or write to the same media, with the same (successful) results.

An example of the inherent compatibility of the media format therefore is the ability of 32-bit and 64-bit software and operating systems to read and write successfully (without aberration) to typical CD and DVD media. Likewise, the M.2 SSD you formatted to MBR NTFS with your 32-bit version of Windows, should be read successfully by a 64-bit version of Windows.

The bit-ranking of software and operating systems determines only how processes are performed internally. While the speed of higher rankings may generally be greater, the result of the processes is the same. What your concern is therefore, is that not having a 64-bit version of Acronis, you may be forced to purchase a 64-bit license when you eventually upgrade to a 64-bit-only operating system (hosting only 64-bit applications), when and if the eventual 64-bit version of Acronis becomes available.

But that version should still see, read, and write to your current backup media, so long as the eventual 64-bit version is compatible with the format of the media.

Thanks Paul, your explanation is most enlightening.

Ian