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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Backup Exec 24 is a conventional backup platform aimed at organizations protecting servers, virtual machines, applications, Microsoft 365, and tape-based environments. Its documented changes include capacity-based subscription licensing, a Restore Only license for recovery when a backup license is absent or expired, and Microsoft 365 backup enhancements. The official materials describe features and licensing, but do not provide independent performance testing, so this review assesses what the documentation establishes rather than claiming hands-on results.
What Backup Exec 24 adds
Arctera’s Backup Exec 24 readme highlights licensing changes and Microsoft 365 improvements. It does not publish benchmark results for the performance claims.
Capacity-based subscription licensing
Version 24 documents a subscription model metered by protected front-end terabytes (FETB), with named Simple Capacity Core Pack and Simple Capacity Add On licenses. Arctera describes the model this way: “The subscription metering is capacity-based, which allows you to protect the total number of front-end terabytes (FETB).” The exact entitlement and availability for a buyer should be confirmed in the applicable order documents. Backup Exec 24 readme
Restore Only license
The readme describes a Restore Only license that permits restoration of backup sets when there is no valid license or a license has expired. It says backups and restores under a valid backup license continue to work as expected. Treat this as vendor-described behavior, not a substitute for checking the terms and configuration of a particular deployment.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Microsoft 365 backup changes
Arctera says Backup Exec 24 improves the speed of Microsoft 365 Forever Incremental and Consolidate Full backup operations. It also supports selective workload configuration when adding a tenant. The readme gives no workload size, comparison baseline, or measured improvement, so the speed claim is not a quantified performance result.
How Backup Exec licensing works
Backup Exec 24 licensing is not a single flat model. The Product Use Rights document describes Bronze, Silver, Gold, and custom licensing structures, with metrics that include front-end terabytes and instances. Included agents and options vary by edition; some terms also impose use-level limits. Gold FETB terms, for example, describe use of specified agents and options subject to the complete legal terms. Backup Exec 24 Product Use Rights
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Before purchasing or renewing, map the actual environment to the license instrument: protected capacity or instance count, physical and virtual servers, applications, and any required agents or media options. Do not assume that an edition includes every workload or option your organization needs. The cited official materials do not establish a public price.
Compatibility: verify the exact setup
Compatibility depends on the specific hardware and software combination. Arctera’s Backup Exec 24 Hardware and Software Compatibility List (HCL) covers supported and unsupported configurations and is updated regularly. Consult the current list for the exact operating system, storage target, tape drive, or library before purchasing or installing; support for one model in a product family does not establish support for every model. Backup Exec 24 compatibility list
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Tape hardware and media
The HCL includes tape drive and library compatibility material. It notes that, in the described configuration, tape device drivers are not installed on Windows Server 2012 and later. It also cautions that older or unsupported tape devices may require functionality testing when kernel-mode drivers are needed. Validate the complete device, driver, server, and Backup Exec combination rather than assuming an existing tape workflow will work unchanged. If buying LTO tape cartridges, match the media generation and type to the precise drive or library specification; the HCL does not validate individual cartridge models.
Cloud storage and other destinations
The HCL also contains cloud storage compatibility information. Check the listed target and configuration directly instead of inferring support from a cloud provider or storage product name alone. The documentation establishes neither universal cloud-target support nor compatibility for every version of a destination.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Who should consider Backup Exec 24?
Backup Exec 24 is worth evaluating when an organization needs to protect a mix of server, virtual machine, application, Microsoft 365, or tape-based workloads and wants to assess those needs against its documented licensing and compatibility options. The fit depends on the exact workload mix and existing infrastructure, not simply on the product name or edition label.
- Potential fit: IT teams evaluating a consolidated backup product for documented workloads, especially where tape hardware or Microsoft 365 protection is part of the environment.
- Check carefully: Organizations with strict requirements for a particular OS, device, library, cloud target, or edition-specific agent should verify the exact entitlement and HCL entry first.
- Not established by the available documentation: Comparative performance, recovery speed, reliability rates, deployment effort, or superiority over competing products.
For a shortlist comparison, assess licensing metric and included agents/options, supported workloads and exact platform compatibility, destinations and existing hardware, recovery requirements, and current support and renewal terms. These are useful comparison criteria, not results from a comparative test.
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Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Company and support context
Arctera announced that it completed its separation from Veritas on December 10, 2024, and identified Backup Exec as one of its business lines. Arctera separation announcement
On September 16, 2025, Arctera announced that Cloud Software Group had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire it. The announcement expected the transaction to close in Q4 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions; that announcement alone does not establish whether the transaction later closed or what support arrangements apply now. Check current vendor channels for support, renewal, and ownership details. Arctera acquisition announcement
Arctera’s May 2025 FY26 channel announcement described deal-registration benefits for partners reselling Backup Exec. This supports a reseller or implementation-partner route, but does not establish a public affiliate program, commission, or current signup terms. FY26 channel program announcement
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