What is a “Bootable ISO” for Acronis True Image 2021
- The bootable ISO is a standalone image (in ISO format) that contains a minimal operating environment plus the Acronis recovery tools. You can burn it to a CD/DVD or write it to a USB stick, and boot your computer from it, even if the main OS is unbootable.
- From that booted environment, you can restore disk images, clone disks, access backup files, etc.
- Acronis provides a “Rescue Media Builder” (or “Rescue Media” / “Bootable Media” tool) inside the product, which can generate either a Linux‑based or WinPE / WinRE–based boot media, and save it as an ISO.
How to Create / Obtain the Bootable ISO (Legally)
According to Acronis’s documentation:
In Acronis True Image 2021, there is a “Rescue Media Builder” tool (under Tools) that lets you create bootable media. Acronis
You choose between methods (Simple vs Advanced), pick media type (Linux, WinRE / WinPE) etc. Acronis
The tool allows you to save an .iso file which you can later burn to CD/DVD or write to USB. Acronis
The ISO / media must be formatted appropriately. For USB sticks, Acronis’s documentation says the target flash drive must use FAT16 or FAT32, not NTFS or exFAT. Acronis
After creating the ISO, you can use standard tools (Windows built‑in ISO burn, Rufus, etc.) to put it onto bootable media. WinUSB+1
What to Watch Out For / Limitations & Issues
- If your system uses certain newer hardware (NVMe, RAID, certain storage controllers), the bootable environment might lack drivers, causing “disk not found” or failure to see the drive. Some users reported that certain storage controllers or BitLocker encryption setups can break recovery. Reddit+3Reddit+3Reddit+3
- There are reports that Acronis’s Linux based boot ISO may crash or fail to boot on some hardware (e.g. certain motherboards) while the WinPE / WinRE version works better in those cases. Reddit+2Reddit+2
- Some users report extremely long delays or hangs in certain operations (e.g. cloning NVMe drives) when booted from the ISO. Reddit+1
- Since 2021 is somewhat older now, certain newer hardware may not be fully supported by that bootable environment (drivers missing).
- Using “cracked” or unauthorized ISO images is illegal and risky (malware, unstable behavior). Always use official, licensed versions.
Summary & Guidance
- Yes, a bootable ISO is possible and part of Acronis’s normal features in True Image 2021.
- Best approach is to use the built‑in Rescue Media / Bootable Media Builder to generate your own ISO based on your system, which ensures the proper drivers/modules are included.
- After getting the ISO, you can burn it to DVD or write to USB (FAT16/FAT32) and boot.
- Always test your bootable media on your machine before relying on it for a disaster scenario.
- Be cautious if your hardware is newer or nonstandard — driver support is key in a recovery environment.
