Best Way to Clone SSD to New SSD in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7

Updated on Jun 08, 2024 | by Oaklynn

Quick Navigation:

User case: Clone old SSD to new SSD
Why clone SSD to another SSD?
Best cloning software for SSD to SSD clone
How to clone SSD to new SSD with secure boot
FAQs about SSD to SSD clone
Summary

User case: Clone old SSD to new SSD

How Do I Transfer Old SSD to New SSD?

My OS is only 2-To migrate your data from your old OCZ 240GB SSD to your new Samsung 1TB SSD, you can use a cloning software like Acronis True Image or EaseUS Todo PCTo clone the entire disk, including all apps and configurations. Alternatively, you can use the built-in Windows feature called "Clone this drive" (Windows 10 and later) or "Disk Management" (Windows 7 and 8) to clone the disk. Be sure to back up your data first, and then clone the disk to the new Samsung SSD. This will ensure that all your apps, configurations, and data are transferred to the new SSD.

- Question from Reddit.com

Why clone SSD to another SSD?

Replacing a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) with a Solid State Drive (SSD) is a popular upgrade for Windows users seeking better performance from their operating system. However, SSDs are typically smaller in capacity compared to HDDs, making it easy to run low on disk space after a few months or years of use. As a result, many Windows users find themselves purchasing a new SSD and transferring the contents of their old one to the new drive.

✨ Disk imaging vs. disk cloning, which is better?

Transferring data from one SSD to another can be done by either backing up the SSD and restoring the image file to the new SSD, or by using disk cloning, which is a more straightforward method that eliminates the need for a recovery process.

Best cloning software for SSD to SSD clone

Cloning is not the same as copying and pasting. To migrate everything from the old SSD to a new SSD and make it bootable, you need to use effective disk cloning software, such as Qiling Disk Master Professional, as Windows itself lacks this feature.

✧ It can clone larger drive to smaller drive with intelligent clone, or make an exact copy of the source disk with sector-by-sector clone.
✧ It can fit all partitions on the new SSD with “SSD Alignment” to optimize SSD performance.
✧ It has a user-friendly interface, so don’t worry about the operations even if you are a novice.
✧ It supports nearly all common SSD brands and models. You can use it to clone Samsung/Crucial/WD SSD, SATA/M.2 NVMe SSD, etc.
✧ It supports Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Download this SSD cloning software to have a try now.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

How to clone SSD to new SSD with secure boot

To transfer your operating system and data to a new SSD, start by connecting the new SSD to your computer. Then, follow the guide provided to use Qiling Disk Master to clone the existing SSD to the new one, ensuring a seamless transition and preserving all your files and settings.

💡 Before you start:
Install a new SSD by first shutting down your computer, then physically installing the SSD into an available slot on your motherboard. If there's only one slot, consider using an adapter or SSD enclosure to connect it. Next, connect any necessary cables, such as SATA and power cables, and secure them firmly.
Initialize the new SSD with the same partition style as the source disk, so you won't need to change boot mode after cloning.
If you've already stored important files on the target SSD, use Qiling Disk Master to make a backup before proceeding.

1. Install and open Qiling Disk Master, click Clone, and select Disk Clone.

2. Select the old SSD as the source disk.

3. Select the new SSD as the destination path.

4. It is recommended to check the "SSD Alignment" box when cloning to an SSD, as it will improve reading and writing speeds and extend the SSD's lifespan. Clicking "Proceed" will then initiate the cloning process.

5. To start your PC from the new SSD after cloning, change the boot sequence in BIOS or replace the old SSD with the new SSD manually.

Helpful Tips:

👉 This operation will clone only the used part by default. If you need to clone every sector of the old SSD, make sure to check "Sector by sector clone" box.

👉 If you click "Edit partitions", you will get 4 sub-options to adjust partition size and convert disk types.

Copy without resizing partitions: It will not resize the partition size.
Add unused space to all partitions: The software will redistribute the unallocated space on the target disk to each partition, taking into account the disk's size.
Manually adjust partition size: It allows you to extend unallocated space to any partition on the destination disk you want.
Convert the destination disk from MBR (GPT) to GPT (MBR): If the destination disk has a different partition style than the source disk, it's helpful to convert the partition style of the destination disk.

👉 To get a larger space, you can clone a smaller SSD to a larger one, and for optimal performance, consider cloning to an NVMe SSD, which offers significantly faster transfer speeds.

👉 This software is an M.2 SSD cloner that can be used to migrate Windows 10 to an M.2 SSD, clone an M.2 SSD to another M.2 SSD, and perform other similar tasks.

FAQs about SSD to SSD clone

1. Does cloning an SSD copy the OS?

The old operating system and all installed applications and personal data will be copied over to the new device.

2. Will cloning my SSD delete the data on the old SSD?

Cloning your SSD will not delete the data on the old drive, as it creates a copy of the data on the new drive, leaving the original data intact.

3. Can I clone my SSD to a smaller capacity SSD?

Make sure the target SSD has enough space to hold all the data from the source SSD, and clean up the old SSD if necessary.

Summary

Qiling Disk Master makes it easy to clone an SSD to a new SSD, and can also be used to clone a bootable HDD to an SSD. After cloning, you can simply replace the old hard drive or change the boot order to boot your computer from the cloned SSD.

This software offers a wide range of features, including system backup, disk backup, and file sync, making it a comprehensive tool for users. It's definitely worth trying out.