Cleaning up backups, backup versions, and replicas

To delete backups and backup versions that you no longer need, use the tools provided by Acronis True Image 2021.

Acronis True Image 2021 stores information on the backups in a metadata information database. Therefore, deleting unneeded backup files in File Explorer will not delete the information about these backups from the database. This will result in errors when the program tries to perform operations on the backups that no longer exist.

Deleting an entire backup and its replica

In the Backup section, click the down arrow icon next to the backup to delete, and then click Delete.

Depending on the backup type, this command completely deletes the backup from its location, or allows you to choose whether you want to delete the backup completely or delete the backup box only. When you delete a backup box only, the backup files remain in the location and you will be able to add the backup to the list later. Note that if you delete a backup completely, the deletion cannot be undone.

When you delete a backup, its replica is deleted automatically together with it. You cannot delete a local backup and still save its replica. However, you can delete a replica alone and keep the local backup.

Deleting an entire backup replica

You can delete a replica with its original backup or separately. To delete it with the backup, delete the backup in the way described above.

To delete a replica without deleting the backup, in the Backup section, click the down arrow icon next to the backup with the replica to delete, and then click Delete replica.

Cleaning up backup versions automatically

To configure automatic cleanup rules for a backup:

1. Go to the Backup section.
2. From the backup list, select the backup for which you want to clean up replica versions, and then click Options.
3. On the Backup scheme tab, select Custom scheme, select a backup method, and then click Turn on automatic cleanup.
4. Configure cleanup rules for the backup.

   Refer to Custom schemes for details.

After the cleanup, some auxiliary files may stay in the storage. Please do not delete them!

Cleaning up replica versions automatically

To configure automatic cleanup rules for a backup replica:

1. Go to the Backup section.
2. From the backup list, select the backup for which you want to clean up replica versions, and then click Options.
3. On the Advanced tab, open the Acronis Cloud cleanup tab.
   • Use the Store no more than … recent backup versions option to enter a value that limits the maximum number of replica versions that are stored.
   • Select the Delete backup versions that are older than check box and enter a value that limits the maximum age of the older versions. The most recent versions will be kept and all other versions will be automatically deleted.

Cleaning up backup and replica versions manually

When you want to delete backup versions that you no longer need, use the tools provided in the application. If you delete backup version files outside Acronis True Image 2021, for example in File Explorer, this will result in errors during operations with the backups.

Versions of the following backups cannot be deleted manually:

• Backups stored on CD, DVD, BD, or Acronis Secure Zone.
• Nonstop backups.
• Notarized backups.

To clean up specific backup versions:

1. Start Acronis True Image 2021.
2. In the Backup section, click the down arrow icon next to the backup to clean up, and then click Clean up versions.

   The Clean up backup versions window opens.

3. Select the required versions and click Delete.
4. Click Delete in the confirmation request.

Please wait for the cleanup operation to complete. After the cleanup, some auxiliary files may stay in the storage. Please do not delete them.

Cleaning up versions that have dependent versions

When you select a backup version to delete, please remember that this version may have dependent versions. In this case, the dependent versions will be selected for deletion as well, because data recovery from such versions becomes impossible.

• When you select a full version - the program also selects all dependent incremental and differential versions till the next full version. In other words, the entire backup version chain will be deleted.
• When you select a differential version - the program also selects all dependent incremental versions within the backup version chain.
• When you select an incremental version - the program also selects all dependent incremental versions within the backup version chain.

See also

Full, incremental and differential backups.

Removing data from Acronis Cloud.