What is included in Ashampoo Backup Pro?

Disk image backups – Complete system and partition images, updated incrementally.
File-level backups – Selected folders backed up automatically, including real-time monitoring.
Cloud storage support – Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, OwnCloud, Nextcloud supported.
Bootable rescue system – Windows-based recovery media restores unbootable PCs.
Performance Metric – Reverse-incremental images need up to 50% less space.
Important – Windows Server and ARM-based systems are not supported.

What are the main benefits of Ashampoo Backup Pro?

Ashampoo Backup Pro is a Windows backup program that secures anything from single folders to complete bootable system images on local drives, NAS devices, or cloud storage. It is built for users who want automated protection against ransomware, disk failure, and broken Windows installations without managing backup jobs manually.

Automated background backups – Scheduled plans run silently while you work.
Disaster recovery – Rescue system restores Windows after total failure.
AES-256 encryption – Password-protected archives with four compression methods.
SMART disk monitoring – Warns about failing drives before data loss.
BitLocker compatibility – Reads and unlocks BitLocker-encrypted drives directly.
Direct file restore – Recover single files from full image backups.

Data loss is expensive: How backups help you avoid outages
For more background on backup planning, read our guide: Why backups protect against expensive data loss

What does Ashampoo Backup Pro do?

Ashampoo Backup Pro creates backups of individual files, folders, complete partitions, and entire bootable Windows systems. Disk images use an infinite reverse-incremental method, so after the first full image only changed data is written, which keeps storage use low even with daily backups. Backup plans run automatically in the background on a schedule you define, and the program can pause itself when your PC needs full performance for other tasks. If Windows is damaged by malware or a failed update, you restore the whole machine to a working earlier state instead of reinstalling programs and settings by hand.

Which storage locations and cloud services are supported?

Backups can be written to internal and external hard disks, USB sticks, network drives, and NAS systems such as Synology or QNAP. Supported cloud services include Dropbox, OneDrive, OneDrive Business / Office 365, Google Drive, OwnCloud, Nextcloud, Telekom MagentaCLOUD, Strato, and 1&1, with further providers reachable via WebDAV. Cloud storage works for both file backups and full partition images, so an off-site copy of your system is possible without extra tools. In the current version, cloud backups run up to 30% faster than in earlier releases, which matters for large image uploads over home internet connections.

Can Ashampoo Backup Pro restore Windows after a complete crash?

Yes, the program includes a bootable rescue system that starts from a USB stick or DVD when Windows no longer loads. The rescue environment is Windows-based, ships with extended third-party driver support, and includes network connectivity, so backups stored on a NAS or network share remain reachable during recovery. It restores the full disk image, including the operating system, installed programs, and settings, back to the state of the last backup. For a home office or small workshop PC, this turns a dead system drive into a restore job of hours instead of days of reinstallation.

How does the software help against ransomware and disk failure?

Against ransomware, the practical protection is a clean restore point: an encrypted image stored on an external drive or in the cloud lets you roll the system back to a state before the infection. Against hardware failure, the program monitors the SMART parameters of your hard disks during every backup and warns you when a drive shows signs of approaching failure, giving you time to replace it before data is lost. A built-in check-and-repair tool additionally scans drives sector by sector and logs and fixes detected errors. Backup integrity is verified automatically, so you do not discover a corrupt archive only when you need it.

What technical limitations should users know before buying?

Ashampoo Backup Pro runs only on 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11; Windows Server operating systems and PCs with ARM processors are not supported. Partitions or storage devices of 8 TB or larger cannot be backed up, which is relevant if you use very large archive drives. There is no macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS version, so it cannot serve as a cross-platform backup solution for mixed-device households. Full administrative rights on the PC are required to use the program.

Are there different editions of Ashampoo Backup Pro?

No, Ashampoo Backup Pro is sold as a single full edition, so there is no Standard, Home, or Technician tier with reduced features. Differences exist only between successive version numbers: version 27 introduced a redesigned interface, a unified Backup Explorer with direct file restoration, a one-click check-and-repair tool, and cloud backups up to 30% faster, while version 26 added the two-step Easy Backup mode, the status dashboard, and in-program BitLocker unlocking. All core capabilities, including disk imaging, cloud support, encryption, and the rescue system, are part of every Backup Pro license. Buyers therefore only need to check which version number a listing refers to, not which feature tier.

Who is Ashampoo Backup Pro best suited for?

It fits Windows users who want full system images plus file backups in one tool without learning enterprise backup concepts. The Easy Backup mode creates a working backup plan in two steps, choosing what to back up and where to store it, which makes it realistic for users who have never configured backup software before. At the same time, the wizard mode exposes granular options for scheduling, retention counts, compression, and encryption, which is enough control for an experienced user protecting a home office machine. Anyone needing to back up Windows Server machines or drives of 8 TB and larger should look at a different product class instead.

Frequently asked questions about Ashampoo Backup Pro

Does Ashampoo Backup Pro work with BitLocker-encrypted drives?

Yes, the program detects BitLocker-encrypted drives and can unlock them directly within the application to store or read backup archives. All BitLocker unlock methods, including password, smartcard, and TPM, are supported, and unlocking is also available inside the drive-check tool.

Does Ashampoo Backup Pro offer real-time backups?

Yes, real-time backup plans monitor selected folders for file changes and update the backup automatically when content changes. This is useful for actively edited work folders, such as documents or project files, where a daily schedule would leave hours of work unprotected.

Can single files be restored from a full disk image?

Yes, the Backup Explorer lets you browse the contents of backups and restore individual files directly, without rolling back the entire image. You can also choose a different restore location, so recovered files do not have to overwrite the current versions in their original folders.