Can anyone explain why this Ashampoo Backup 2018 needs an internet connection while it backs up? I intended to start my first backup overnight, and so switched off my wifi. The program stopped backing up as soon as I did this.

I use Macrium Reflect. The truly FREE version works great for my needs.

I only do backups (images) when Windows is NOT running.
For that to be possible, the software should be capable of running from it's own bootable CD.
Does this program allow us to create a bootable CD, for creating images (when windows is NOT running) ?
Rob
PS The same bootable CD should be capable of validating/verifying images, and for restoring images.
Someone mentioned Shadow Copy below. That is a complexity that does not exist, if you create images with Windows NOT running.
Mike mentioned some of his PCs don't boot from USB.
If Ashampoo can create a bootable CD, that should get around that problem.

No incremental or differential backups.

The problem with Ashampoo Backup 2018 is that it backs up whole drives and not just folders from a drive. Also there does not seem to be a way to control that type of backup, (complete or just copy files that have changed or are new).

For some reason I never received my serial number by email. Has anyone else had this problem?

UNINSTALLED IT.
Reason: after numerous restarts and re-installations I get:

13:42 : The backup was stopped because of the following error:
Error starting a Windows component (Volume Shadow Copy Service) that is essential for the backup (error VSS 0x8004230f).
Please restart your computer and try again.

I recently purchased Ashampoo Backup Pro 12. Could an Ashampoo guy explain, please, why two software for backup, what's the difference between them?

AOMEI Backupper, Paragon Hard Disk Mgr., & Macrium Reflect are all good disk/partition image backup apps that are available in a free version. All are easy to use. It's probably worth taking a look at Ashampoo Backup, but Ashampoo doesn't make a clear case of why their backup software is better than those other 3.

Do make sure to test the bootable USB stick you can create with Ashampoo Backup before you rely on the software for your backups. AOMEI's Backupper is popular, but I don't [can't] use it because their bootable USB sticks won't work with all of our devices.

One feature I'd strongly suggest Ashampoo include in their more expensive, Pro version, Backup Pro 12, is a Windows Migration tool or utility, &/or a boot repair feature to compete with those other 3 brands I mentioned. While an installed copy of win10 will usually work on new or different hardware, so a migration [or boot repair] tool might seem unimportant, it's critical to cloning a copy of Windows to a NVMe drive. All the major companies that make SSDs [and a few you've never heard of] sell NVMe drives, and their cost has very recently started to match, and in a few cases beat regular 2.5" SSDs. Available to fit the M2 socket on a motherboard, an add-in card, & as used in many notebooks, they generally offer at least double SATA III speeds. Samsung provides their own software, but otherwise your choice with a NVMe drive is to install Windows fresh, or use paid software to clone an existing copy of Windows. And in the latter case, Ashampoo doesn't [can't] compete.

been using Macrium Reflect free for years with perfect success.... i mess up regularly but also make regular backups so my system is never more than ten minutes away from perfect. just my take.

Paragon Backup & Recovery is free and rated 3.5* on PCWorld. https://www.pcworld.com/article/3203833/software/paragon-backup-recovery-16-free-edition-review.html actual software link is:
https://www.paragon-software.com/free/br-free/#. Most of Ashampoo products work great you do get a lot of email from them. I've paid for some when the price is right. I haven't tried either this product or Paragon just providing info.

the best system backup software is "acronis".i am using this software for 9 years

I have been using Ashampoo Backup since a GOTD offering several years ago. It saved my butt a few times, so I purchased the paid version and have kept up-to-date with the increased functionality of later versions. I particularly like the One Drive destination option and email notifications to ensure valid backups are completed. Liking Ashampoo Backup, I have since reviewed other Ashampoo products and find them to be very capable in their field. Catching a well-liked application in one of Ashampoo's sale events results in very capable software at a reasonable price. Getting this free version is a good way to review the earlier capabilities of their current paid version 12 (got mine for $15).

Personally I have used virtually all the free Backup solutions and most of the paid ones and this one is solid enough. However my backup solution is not a backup at all but an image solution. Macruim Reflect Free is the industry standard and is literally 100% fail proof.

Not bad; really simple to use (had been testing it earlier for a friend on his machine!)
The remainig questionis: is this a real "giveaway"? - for you can legally get this software for free since long - and this from more than one source...

And NO: It is NOT the to be paid for version Ashampoo Backup Pro (newest version "12" for about 20 bucks...)

I do not see the portable option , in order to backup bypassing the operating system ....

Paragon offers a free backup utility that offers all this and is perhaps one of the best in this catagory.