Ashampoo® Backup Pro 17 is Windows-based a comprehensive backup solution to back up or restore any file, partition or bootable operating system. Archives can easily be restored in the event of hardware issues or system malware infections. Backups can be created fully automatically thanks to smart background technology that does not interfere with normal PC operation. For that, Ashampoo® Backup Pro 17 monitors the system load and only becomes active when enough resources are available. Four selectable compression methods and strong encryption ensure space-efficient and secure backup archives. Users have total control over the storage location and medium, from traditional hard disks to online cloud services for maximum accessibility–and this applies to both individual files and entire disk partitions. Restoring archives can either be achieved through the program itself or Windows Explorer. And if worst comes to worst and your system suffers from total failure, the program's rescue system will still allow you to boot your machine and restore your backup without data loss. It can either be run from a portable flash drive/hard disk or an optical medium, like a DVD. During backups, Ashampoo® Backup Pro 17 constantly verifies each operation to avoid data inconsistency. This even includes health monitoring for your disk drives, with instant notifications should a drive be on the brink of failure. In the new version 17, real-time backup detects changes to monitored folders and backs them up as soon as they are registered. Even hard drives locked by Bitlocker can be unlocked and used as storage locations, for example. The rescue system is now based on the current Windows version, making it easier to install and use. Connectivity with the most important cloud providers has been greatly improved in version 17 thanks to a number of adjustments.