--- title: Disk Imaging Software – Why Full-Image Backup Matters description: Your data is only as valuable as your current backup. Take a closer look at disk imaging software and what you should look for in a solution. canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/imaging-software/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # Disk Imaging Software – Why Full-Image Backup Matters Every computer eventually fails. When that happens, your valuable data is only as safe as your current backup. [Buy now](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/true-image/purchasing/) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 3 min read Last updated 11 October 2024 Other languages available:[Deutsch](https://www.acronis.com/de/blog/posts/imaging-software/) [Español](https://www.acronis.com/es/blog/posts/imaging-software/) [Français](https://www.acronis.com/fr/blog/posts/imaging-software/) [日本語](https://www.acronis.com/ja/blog/posts/imaging-software/) Every computer eventually fails. When that happens, your valuable data is only as safe as your current backup. Not all disk imaging solutions are created equal. Some programs only back up user files but do not back up boot information and files locked by the operating system. Some don't reproduce security attributes and still others fail due to incompatible file names and copy protection issues. Even worse, some backup programs can make your computer completely unbootable if you move or realign partitions. So how can you be sure that your irreplaceable photos, emails, music collections, and financial data are adequately protected and quickly restored in the event of a data loss? ## Disk Imaging Solutions: A Closer Look Did you know that by using a [reputable imaging software](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/true-image/features/imaging/), you can create a copy of everything on your hard drive? A disk image is a complete sector-by-sector copy of everything on your computer or external hard drive; completely capturing all files on your system and faithfully replicating all your data. With full-image backup you protect everything, including boot information, the operation system, settings, and data. Using an external drive and Acronis True Image, you can typically create a complete disk image in 20 to 90 minutes the first time, and in only minutes each subsequent time. ![Image 3: Imaging Software](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/2bbe863f47233fcd2f442e0c0e028e76.png) Imaging Software Discover [Discover Acronis comprehensive imaging software, seamlessly integrated with automatic backup, recovery and a wide range of advanced security tools - all together in one powerful package.](https://www.acronis.com/products/true-image/imaging/ "Discover Acronis comprehensive imaging software, seamlessly integrated with automatic backup, recovery and a wide range of advanced security tools - all together in one powerful package.") ## Why Use Disk Imaging Software? Rather than spending time managing intricate computer backups, disk imaging allows you to quickly and easily make a perfect copy of your computer’s hard drive. However, it is important to take the time to find the best hard drive imaging software to meet your needs. When choosing a [Windows](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/windows-backup/) or [Mac](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/how-to-back-up-mac/) full image backup system it is crucial to make an informed decision on which product is right for you. Finding the best image software that is reliable, versatile and easy-to-use is key. The following criteria can help you evaluate the best hard drive imaging software. The best drive image software is a complete package that does more than just make a backup copy of your hard drive. Disk image programs should be powerful enough to allow you to customize automated images, use your images to create a boot disk and delete or format a drive. ## What Is The Best Imaging Software? Acronis True Image is the best full-image [backup software](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/true-image/backup/) for your Windows and Mac. It is a fast, easy, and complete solution, with the power to let you: * Schedule automatic backup. The disk-image tool creates a differential or incremental image, which captures only the data that has changed since the last backup. * Easily copy, format, partition, and even delete a hard drive image. Image deployment, or putting [data backup](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/data-backup/) onto your hard drive for later use, is simple as well. * Reinstall the entire system, complete with data, individual files, and applications. Simply execute a few easy image deployment steps. * Open an image at any time by assigning it a drive letter, making it easier to access copied files, folders, and applications. * Back up Windows 10, macOS, or Windows 8.1/8/7 locally and to the cloud. * Back up mobile phones and tablets to your computers and the cloud In addition to foolproof recovery, [Acronis True Image](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/true-image/) disk imaging software for Windows offers outstanding customer support. With response times within 24 hours to provide the best disk imaging software advice online or via the phone. In addition, the Acronis website has FAQ pages and online help forums. Acronis True Image is the best disk imaging software on the market today. Acronis offers disk imaging with advanced, user-friendly features and unbeatable customer support. [Buy now, from $49.99](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/products/true-image/purchasing/) or start your [free 30-day trial](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/homecomputing/thanks/home-office/)! [Data protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/data-protection/) [Cloud backup](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cloud-backup/) [Disaster recovery](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/disaster-recovery/) [Data loss prevention](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/data-loss-prevention/) ## Written by ![Image 4: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/join-acronis-at-dattocon-2022-this-september-1113/) [Join Acronis at DattoCon 2022, this September 11–13](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/join-acronis-at-dattocon-2022-this-september-1113/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/why-providing-mentorship-programs-and-growth-opportunities-to-women-in-technology-should-be-every-organizations-priority/) [Why providing mentorship programs to women in tech should be every organization’s priority](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/why-providing-mentorship-programs-and-growth-opportunities-to-women-in-technology-should-be-every-organizations-priority/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 5: Acronis Cloud Storage adds a recovery warranty](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/6a693ef2012c6324f65b0b452c11b3d6.png) [Acronis Cloud Storage adds a recovery warranty](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-cloud-storage-adds-a-recovery-warranty/) Secure, scalable cloud storage with a recovery commitment backed by Acronis. The Anti-Ransomware Recovery Warranty that helps MSPs make recovery a visible part of the service they deliver. **October 12, 2026**4 min read ![Image 6: Acronis Cyber Protect v17: Improving cyber resilience across people, data and infrastructure](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/c2467c28c0278609eb3560cb2a8a4d53.png) [Acronis Cyber Protect v17: Improving cyber resilience across people, data and infrastructure](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-cyber-protect-v17-improving-cyber-resilience-across-people-data-and-infrastructure/) Acronis Cyber Protect v17 Q3 2026 expands integrated cyber protection with new capabilities that strengthen security awareness, improve backup operations and extend protection across more virtual environments. The result is stronger cyber resilience, simplified operations and broader protection delivered through a single platform. **October 05, 2026**4 min read ![Image 7: SCADA backup and recovery: protecting PC-based supervisory control systems](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/541eac32c82d84a5616d868ed24a68e0.png) [SCADA backup and recovery: protecting PC-based supervisory control systems](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/scada-backup-and-recovery/) SCADA backup differs from IT backup. Learn what to capture, how to plan recovery, and how Acronis Cyber Protect for OT supports PC-based OT systems. **September 11, 2026**8 min read