This article delves into the reasons for SSD cloning, the benefits it offers, and a detailed method to accomplish it effectively. By following the outlined solutions, users can ensure that their operating system, applications, and files are transferred seamlessly.
“Hey guys, it’s probably been asked a million times but I’ll still ask again. I’m currently using one HDD and one SSD which is running my Windows. I just got my new SSD, and I wonder if it’s possible to move everything from my smaller SSD to my new one without losing stuff or having to reinstall Windows.”
If you are like the user in the case and want to replace or upgrade your old SSD with a new or larger one, you may need reliable disk cloning software to help you with this operation.
AOMEI Backupper Professional, as the best comprehensive disk cloning software for Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista, can help you clone SSD to SSD in Windows 11 free and ensure a secure boot. Learn more about AOMEI Disk Clone features below:
1. Intelligent clone. In default mode, it only clones used sectors. So you can easily clone a disk to a smaller SSD without any hindrance and boot successfully from the cloned SSD. 2. SSD alignment. It can speed up the read and write speed when you clone a disk to SSD and improve the performance of SSD. 3. Live clone. It can operate disk cloning tasks in the background without affecting the normal use of your computer. 4. Sector by sector clone. It can clone all sectors, whether they are used or not. 5. Supports multiple SSD types and brands. It supports various types (SATA, NVMe, PCIe, M.2, U.2) and brands (Samsung, Seagate, WD, Intel, etc.).
Moving on, I will show you how to clone SSD to a larger SSD in Windows 11 via AOMEI Backupper in the following part.
Let's explore how to easily clone Windows 11 to SSD using the best software. Here you can gain a stepwise guide.
Useful tip: Since the target SSD will be completely overwritten during the cloning process, you need to back up important data in advance.
Now let’s follow the instructions below.
Step 1. Connect the target SSD to your computer and make sure it can be detected. Download AOMEI Backupper Professional, install it, and open it.
Step 2. Select "Clone" from the left-hand side menu and then select "Disk Clone".
Step 3. Choose the source SSD that you want to clone. Click “Next”.
Step 4. Select the SSD as the destination disk to which the source disk will be cloned, and click "Next".
Step 5. Preview the information of your source and destination disk. In the lower-left corner, set the desired advanced settings as follows.
Notes: Edit Partitions: Using this function, you can change the partition size on the destination disk. Sector by Sector Clone: It will clone all sectors, whether it contains any data or not. Furthermore, this feature is generally available when cloning disks of the same or larger size. If you clone from a large disk to a small one, checking this option will cause clone failure instead. SSD Alignment: It will accelerate the reading and writing speed of the SSD disk. It is highly recommended to check this option as you are cloning to an SSD.
Step 6. Then, click Start Clone. Wait for the process to complete and then click "Finish".
Now you need to follow the steps below to make the newly cloned SSD bootable:
1. Reboot your computer and press F2/F10/Del to enter the BIOS. 2. Go to the boot menu and in the boot priority section, set the new SSD as the first boot option in BIOS. 3. Then hit F10 to save the changes and boot your computer.
There are some situations when you may need to clone your old SSD to a larger one in Windows 11. If you are experiencing these situations, you should consider cloning your SSD.
If your computer starts slowly.
If you want better speed.
If your system drive is nearly full. Cloning to a larger SSD can help with space for Windows 11 updates.
If you want to avoid reinstalling programs. Cloning saves you from losing data.
If you want to save time. A larger SSD helps your computer run faster.
Q1. Can I clone my SSD without third-party software?
A1. Windows 11 doesn’t include built-in cloning tools, but you can use the "Backup and Restore" feature to create a system image and restore it on the new SSD. However, third-party software usually makes this process easier.
Q2. Can I clone an SSD to a smaller SSD?
A2. Yes, you can clone to a smaller SSD as long as the total data on the original SSD fits within the smaller one’s capacity. Make sure there’s enough free space on the new SSD before starting the clone.
Q3. What if my cloned SSD won’t boot?A3. If your cloned SSD doesn’t boot:
That’s all for cloning SSD to another SSD in Windows 11. With a larger SSD, you can use the full potential of Windows 11 and stop worrying about some computer failure problems. In addition, it is not difficult to clone an SSD to a larger SSD using AOMEI Backupper in Windows 11. So Windows 11 users, whatever your reason for migrating to a larger SSD, just use AOMEI Backupper for a safe, fast, and easy clone.
In addition, the software also provides other efficient functions. For example, backup Windows 11 to USB, disk backup, and so on, which can help you backup your PC or important files and data before cloning. And you’ll never have to worry about system crashes, for you can effortlessly restore Windows 11 to previous date with this software. Don't hesitate to download and try it!