How to Transfer Data from HDD to SSD in Windows 10/11: 2 Ways

User Case: Can I Transfer All Data from HDD to SSD?

To migrate a small amount of personal data from HDD to SSD, you can use the Copy and Paste function. If you would like to transfer system files, or both system files and personal files, you could use the cloning feature of a reliable cloning software which will help you transfer everything from the old hard drive to the new SSD.

Reasons for Transferring Data from HDD to SSD

Nowadays, more and more people prefer to transfer data, including operating and personal files from HDD to SSD, mainly because of the following reasons.

⚡Faster speed	SSDs have faster reading and writing speeds than traditional hard drives. So, transferring data to SSD means you can enjoy faster running and booting speeds when you use the computer.
💡Less energy consumption	SSDs consume less power, which helps to increase the life of the battery.
👍Better user experience	SSDs have no moving parts so that it has little noise, which can improve the user experience.
🔰More durable	SSDs are more durable than HDDs.

How to Migrate Data from HDD to SSD in Windows 10/11

Next, I will introduce 2 easy ways about how to transfer Windows 10/11 from HDD to SSD without losing data. On way is to rely on a dependable cloning software that can automatically clone all the data on the HDD to the new SSD with just a few simple steps. This helps to make a bootable clone and ensures the new drive functions the same as your old disk if you are cloning a system drive.  Another is to manually transfer personal data to the new SSD one by one using Windows' Copy and Paste function. You can choose according to your needs.

Method 1. Transfer Data from HDD to SSD by Cloning

Disk clone is very convenient when you need to transfer large amounts of data quickly and ensure the disk's bootability. You can choose a professional and safe cloning software to help you. AOMEI Backupper Professional is a good choice. It has the following advantages:

Then, you can follow the steps below to figure out how to clone HDD to SSD for data transfer:

Before you start cloning, you should do some preparation work first:

Connect your target SSD to your computer and make sure it can be organized. If you want to transfer data from HDD to SSD laptop, you need to prepare a SATA to USB adaptor. You can backup your system and then restore it to migrate OS to SSD in Windows 10 easily.

If you have any important files, please back them up in advance, because the data of the target disk will be erased after cloning.

Download the professional cloning software - AOMEI Backupper Professional and then install it.

Step 1. Choose the Disk Clone option in the cloning software

• Open AOMEI Backupper Professional. Then click Clone > Disk Clone.

Step 2. Choose the HDD as the source disk

• On the Source Disk page, choose the HDD and click Next.

Step 3. Choose your SSD as the destination disk

• On the Destination Disk page, choose your SSD to store the transferred data and click Next.

Step 4. Improve SSD performance and begin disk cloning

• Tick SSD Alignment option, because it will accelerate the reading and writing speed of SSD. Then click Start Clone to transfer data from HDD to SSD.

Notes:

• Edit Partitions: You can use this function to resize partitions on the destination disk. 
• Sector By Sector Clone: If your destination disk is equal to or larger than the source disk, you can tick this option. It will clone all sectors of the source disk for you, whether it has been used or not. And this function is supported by the pro version.

Method 2. Transfer Data from HDD to SSD using Copy and Paste

If you need to transfer files from HDD to SSD, the Copy and Paste function of Windows can also give you a hand. It allows you to transfer data between different disks. You just need to find the file you want to transfer, right-click on it, and select the Copy or Cut option. Then go to the SSD partition, right-click on a blank space, and select Paste.

However, you should pay attention to some things when using this feature. When you transfer regular files, it can be very annoying and time-consuming if they are in different directories of a partition. If you transfer system files or program files, you may encounter the situation they can't work as before after transferring to the SSD.

Therefore, this method is only suitable for transferring a small amount of data. If you need to transfer a large amount of data or you want to transfer everything including operating system and system files from HDD to SSD, you can use the first method - disk clone with cloning software. It can help you to do the mass data transfer quickly.

What to Do after Moving Data from HDD to SSD?

After successfully moving data from your HDD to SSD, there are several important steps to follow to ensure optimal performance and data management.

1. Boot from New SSD

There are two situations to boot from the cloned SSD:

• If your computer has two slots, you can enter BIOS and set the new SSD as the first boot device.
• If your computer has only one slot, you can shut down your computer, open the case, disconnect your HDD and install your SSD in the same slot.

2. Format Old HDD

Once you've confirmed that all required data is safely stored elsewhere, you can proceed with formatting the old HDD. In Windows, you can access the Disk Management tool to format the drive. Or you can use AOMEI Backupper to wipe old hard drive for reuse.

3. Optimize New SSD

There are several practical tips to optimize new SSD performance.

• Enable TRIM: TRIM is a command that helps maintain SSD performance over time by proactively clearing blocks of data that are no longer in use. In Windows, TRIM should be enabled by default, but you can verify its status by accessing the Command Prompt and typing "fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify". If the result is "0," TRIM is enabled.

• Update Firmware (if necessary): Check if there are any firmware updates available for your SSD. Manufacturers occasionally release firmware updates to address performance issues or add new features. Follow the instructions provided by the SSD manufacturer to update the firmware if needed.
• Disable Defragmentation: Unlike HDDs, SSDs do not benefit from traditional defragmentation, as it can wear down the drive and provide minimal performance improvement. In Windows, automatic defragmentation is typically disabled for SSDs, but it's worth verifying in case it's enabled.
• Partition Alignment: Ensure that the partitions on your SSD are properly aligned. Most modern operating systems automatically align partitions correctly, but it's worth verifying to ensure optimal performance.

Summary

This article introduces you to 2 methods of transferring data from HDD to SSD. You can choose the Windows Copy and Paste function, which is suitable for small amounts of data transfer. But you need to be aware of the problems, such as transferring files from different directories will take a lot of time, or the system files may not work properly after transferring.

Or you can directly choose an easier way, which is to clone HDD to SSD with AOMEI Backupper. This method can help you transfer a large amount of data quickly and ensure that you can use your operating system and applications normally on the target disk after successful cloning, and you can access your data anytime. Except for cloning HDD to SSD, this tool is capable of cloning SSD to new SSD as well.

In addition, it also supports cloning dynamic disk and many other useful features. You can download this software and explore it by yourself.

FAQs about Data Transfer from HDD to SSD

#1. Can I move just my OS from HDD to SSD?

Yes. The easiest way to move just your operating system (OS) to an SSD is using the System Clone function of AOMEI Backupper, and it ensures the cloned SSD is bootable without errors.

#2. How to transfer Windows from HDD to SSD without cloning?

If you don't want to migrate Windows from HDD to SSD via cloning, you could get this done through backup & restore. That is to create a Windows system image > create a Windows installation USB > Boot from the USB installer, and restore the Windows system image on the SSD.

#3. Can I install an SSD without reinstalling Windows?

Yes, you can install an SSD and keep your existing Windows installation by cloning your current HDD to the SSD.