You can set a Normal, High or Low priority to a backup or restore operation

Introduction

The priority of any process running in a system determines the amount of CPU usage and system resources allocated to that process. Decreasing the priority will free more resources for other CPU tasks. Raising priority may speed up the backup or restore process as it takes resources from other currently running processes. The effect will depend on total CPU usage and other factors.

Solution

Changing backup priority

1. In the main window of the program select Backup to start the Create Backup Wizard (or Create backup task in Acronis True Image Home 2009);
2. On the Choose Backup Options screen select Set the options manually (or Backup options in Acronis True Image Home 2009);
3. Select Backup priority and set it to Low, Normal or High.

Changing restore priority

1. In the main window of the program select Recovery to start the Restore Data Wizard (or Operations -> Restore in Acronis True Image Home 2009);
2. On the Choose Restore Options screen select Set the options manually (or Options in Acronis True Image Home 2009);
3. Select Restoration priority and set it to Low, Normal or High.

(!) In Acronis True Image Home 2011 it is possible to change the priority of a running task: right-click on Acronis True Image icon in system tray, go to Priority and select necessary priority level from the list:

More information

The preset for backup or restore priority is Low. Every time you change the priority, there will be a warning entry in the program log (Tools -> Show log) similar to the following one:

Priority changed to High priority

(!) If the machine runs out of resources when performing a backup or restore operation with High priority, the priority will automatically change to Normal. There will be a warning entry in the program log:

Priority changed to Normal priority

Once a backup is started, the priority cannot be changed manually.