Windows 10 Disk Cloning Made Easy: Start to Finish Instructions

I read a question on a Forum recently - I have an old HP Pavilion laptop running Windows 10 and I'm looking to clone the entire disk to upgrade to an SSD. Has anyone done this before? Any tips on the best software or steps to follow? I'm new to this whole disk cloning thing, so any advice would be awesome!

So I thought, let's share my experience of cloning Disk in Windows 10, along with the tools that I used to clone Disk.

There can be several reasons behind cloning the disk, it can be:

1. Upgrading from a Smaller Disk to a Bigger One

Many computers and laptops come with smaller, lower-tier hard drives, usually around 500GB. It’s frustrating because you run out of space quickly. So, people often choose to swap their old hard drives for larger SSDs using reliable disk cloning software. It’s much cheaper than buying a whole new PC.

2. Swapping an Old HDD for a New SSD

Adding SSDs can significantly boost your computer's speed by making data transfers much faster. This upgrade usually makes users much happier with how their system performs. For gamers, having an SSD is a game-changer for avoiding lag, especially in intense online FPS games.

So now, without wasting any more time, let's talk about how to clone disk in Windows 10 and newer versions of Windows.

A Very Easy-to-Use Cloning Software (Tested)

Let me tell you about a fantastic tool for system backup and cloning that recently passed my SSD cloning software review! Besides cloning, this tool also offers backup, synchronization, and other powerful features. But today, let's focus on cloning.

If you're searching for a top-notch disk cloning tool for Windows, let me introduce you to AOMEI Backupper Professional edition. This software is incredibly user-friendly and has won over millions of users worldwide.

Why AOMEI Backupper Stands Out:

• Flexible Cloning Options: With AOMEI Backupper, you can easily clone your hard drive to an SSD or another HDD. You can also choose to clone specific partitions or just the operating system, depending on your needs.

• Clone to Any Size Drive: It's smart too; it only copies the used sectors automatically, making it easy to clone to a smaller drive. And if you're upgrading to a larger one, the "Edit Partitions" feature lets you use the entire disk space.

• SSD Optimization: AOMEI Backupper even aligns partitions for SSDs, boosting their speed and durability.

• Compatibility Galore: It's compatible with all Windows versions, from 11 all the way back to XP, whether it's 32-bit or 64-bit. Plus, it works with a wide range of drives like HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and more.

Give AOMEI Backupper a try and see for yourself!

Steps for Cloning Windows 10 SSD

Before diving into cloning your disks with the disk clone tool - AOMEI Backupper on Windows 10/11, follow these steps:

1. Back Up Important Data: Ensure all your crucial files from the destination disk are backed up safely to avoid any data loss during the cloning process.

2. Check Disk Space: Verify the amount of space used on your original Windows 10/11 hard drive. If it fits in the target SSD, you're good to go! If you're upgrading to a larger SSD, that's even better.

3. Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic: If your disk is currently dynamic, convert it back to a basic disk before starting the cloning process.

4. Prepare Tools: Keep your screwdrivers handy—you might need to open up your laptop or desktop.

5. Connect the SSD: If your laptop only has one hard drive slot, use a 2.5'' SSD enclosure or a SATA-to-USB cable to connect the new SSD.

Ready for the Windows 10/11 Hard Drive Clone Party? Here's How:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper: Open the software and go to Clone > Disk Clone on the main screen.

TIP: If you only want to clone your Windows 10/11 system along with all your programs and drivers, select the System Clone option instead.

Step 2. Select Source Disk: Choose your Windows 10/11 hard drive and hit the Next >> button to continue.

Step 3. Select Destination Disk: In the next window, select the larger SSD as your destination, then click Next >> to proceed.

Step 4. Enable SSD Alignment: Tick the SSD Alignment box to optimize the read and write speeds on your new SSD. Click Start Clone to begin the HDD to SSD cloning process on Windows 10/11.

Step 5. Finish the Cloning Process: Once the cloning reaches 100%, click Finish to wrap up and close the window.

Quick Tips:

Here are some tips for you.

• MBR to GPT Cloning: If you're cloning from MBR to GPT, remember to switch between Legacy and UEFI after the cloning process.

• Sector by Sector Clone: This method copies everything from your original hard disk, which makes the process longer. You can’t use the "Edit partitions" option with this method. If you’re upgrading to a larger SSD, use a free partition manager to resize and utilize the full capacity.

• Avoid Sector by Sector Cloning for Smaller SSDs: Don't use this method if you're moving from a larger HDD to a smaller SSD.

• Edit Partitions: This feature allows you to resize partitions on your new hard drive when upgrading from a smaller Windows 10/11 disk. Uncheck "Add unused space to all partitions" to get some extra room on the larger SSD.

Your Turn

Cloning a hard drive in Windows 10/11 with AOMEI Backupper is a breeze thanks to its intuitive interface. With just a few clicks, you can create an exact copy to clone pc. But that's not all—it allows you to clone from large HDDs to smaller SSDs, swap disks of different sizes, clone SATA SSDs, and even migrate Windows to NVMe SSDs.

On top of cloning, AOMEI Backupper lets you back up files, partitions, disks, and create system images. These backups are lifesavers when you need to restore Windows to a new drive. If you're dealing with server-level tasks, AOMEI Backupper Server offers even more advanced features to meet your needs.