14 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2009File backupFile-level data protection is based on backing up files and folders residing on the machine where theagent is installed or on a network share. Files can be recovered to their original location or to anotherplace. It is possible to recover all files and folders that were backed up or select which of them torecover.Other operationsConversion to a virtual machineRather than converting a disk backup to a virtual disk file, which requires additional operations tobring the virtual disk into use, Agent for Windows performs the conversion by recovering a diskbackup to a new virtual machine of any of the following types: VMware Workstation, MicrosoftVirtual PC, Parallels Workstation or Citrix XenServer virtual appliance. Files of the fully configured andoperational machine will be placed in the folder you select. You can start the machine using therespective virtualization software or prepare the machine files for further usage.Disk managementAgent for Windows includes Acronis Disk Director Lite - a handy disk management utility. Diskmanagement operations, such as cloning disks; converting disks; creating, formatting and deletingvolumes; changing a disk partitioning style between MBR and GPT or changing a disk label, can beperformed either in the operating system or using bootable media.1.3.1.1. Universal RestoreThe Universal Restore add-on enables you to use the restore to dissimilar hardware functionality onthe machine where the agent is installed, and create bootable media with this functionality. UniversalRestore handles differences in devices that are critical for Windows start-up, such as storagecontrollers, motherboard or chipset.1.3.2. Bootable components and media builderBootable components of the agent enable operations with reboot, such as recovery of the volumecontaining the currently active operating system. Once the operations are completed, the machineboots into the operating system again. The bootable components are based on the Linux kernel. Youcan choose not to install the bootable components and perform operations that require reboot usingbootable media.Acronis Bootable Media Builder is a dedicated tool for creating bootable media (p. 211). The mediabuilder can create bootable media based on either Windows Preinstallation Environment, or Linuxkernel.The Universal Restore add-on enables you to use the restore to dissimilar hardware functionality onthe machine where the agent is installed, and create bootable media with this functionality. UniversalRestore handles differences in devices that are critical for Windows start-up, such as storagecontrollers, motherboard or chipset.
