Acronis Secure Zone
A proprietary local partition for secure backup storage.
Acronis Secure Zone is a dedicated hard disk partition designed by Acronis for use with its True Image and Backup & Recovery software as a local backup destination. Because network storage may not always be available, Acronis created this solution by reserving a portion of the local drive as a proprietary partition. Only True Image and Backup & Recovery can access this partition, which keeps backup archives safe from malware, user files, or other forms of corruption. A single computer can have only one Acronis Secure Zone managed by True Image, though the software can restore data from additional zones on external drives.
Technically, the Acronis Secure Zone is a rebadged FAT32 partition labeled "ACRONIS SZ" with a specific partition type code. This means it can be manually created or managed using any partition manager. By changing the partition type code to that of a standard FAT32 LBA partition, direct access to the zone becomes possible. True Image automatically manages backup files stored in the zone, saving them with autogenerated names in the root folder. When space runs low, the software deletes the oldest full backup set—including base and incremental or differential files—to make room for new ones.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) versions of True Image use a special "OEM secure zone," which is identical in structure but uses partition type 0xBB. This zone typically holds a single image file containing the factory-default operating system and application configuration set by the manufacturer.
- Partition type code
- 0xBB (OEM version)
- File system
- FAT32
- Volume label
- ACRONIS SZ
- Maximum per computer
- 1 (managed by True Image)
- Backup management
- self-managed; deletes oldest image set when space is low
Lore & Background
Acronis Secure Zone was designed by Acronis to address the problem of unavailable network storage for backup archives. By carving off part of the local disk as a proprietary partition, it functions as a backup target safe from malware, user files, or other uses or corruption. Acronis True Image can manage only one Acronis Secure Zone per computer but can restore data from others, such as when a portable hard drive is connected.
Technically, the Acronis Secure Zone is a rebadged FAT32 partition labeled ACRONIS SZ, with a specific partition type code. Knowing these requirements, one can manually create or manage existing Acronis Secure Zone using any partition manager. Direct access to this partition can be gained by changing its partition type code to that of FAT32 LBA.
Acronis True Image self-manages backup archives stored to the Acronis Secure Zone. All backup files are stored with autogenerated names in the root folder. If there is not enough free space for the next backup file, Acronis True Image deletes the oldest image set (base plus incremental or differential files) to create space for new files. OEM versions of True Image use a special 'Original Equipment Manufacturer secure zone', which is technically the same but uses a partition type of 0xBB and typically contains only a single image file with the factory default operating system and application configuration.
Reader's Guide
The Acronis Secure Zone represents a practical solution for local backup when network resources are unavailable. Its significance lies in providing a dedicated, malware-safe partition that is isolated from user files and other system corruption, accessible only by Acronis True Image and Backup & Recovery. This design allows users to maintain a backup target on the same physical disk without risk of accidental deletion or infection. The partition's underlying FAT32 structure, with a modified partition type code, means it can be manually created or managed with standard partition tools, offering flexibility beyond Acronis's own software. The self-managing nature of the backup archives—where the oldest image set is automatically deleted to free space—ensures continuous operation without user intervention. The OEM variant, using partition type 0xBB, extends this concept to factory restore scenarios, preserving a single system image for recovery. Overall, the Acronis Secure Zone legacy is as a straightforward, self-contained backup storage mechanism that prioritizes safety and simplicity over network dependency.
Did You Know?
- Acronis Secure Zone is actually a rebadged FAT32 partition labeled ACRONIS SZ.
- If free space is insufficient, Acronis True Image deletes the oldest image set to make room for new backups.
- OEM versions use partition type 0xBB and typically contain a single factory-default image file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Acronis Secure Zone?
It is a reserved slice of your local hard drive that Acronis carves out specifically to hold backup images. It exists so users have a reliable on-device backup target even when no network storage is reachable.
What technical specs define the Secure Zone partition?
The partition uses a FAT32 file system, carries the volume label "ACRONIS SZ," and is identified by the OEM partition type code 0xBB.
Why is the Secure Zone isolated from the rest of the system?
Acronis locks it down so that only True Image and Backup & Recovery can read or write to it, which shields stored backup archives from accidental deletion, malware interference, or general user clutter.
What happens when the Secure Zone fills up?
The zone is self-managing, meaning the software automatically removes the oldest image set to free space for newer backups without requiring user intervention.
Can I create more than one Secure Zone on the same machine?
No—True Image manages exactly one Secure Zone per computer, though the software can still pull restore data from additional zones that may exist on the drive.
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