Perform Bootable Clones on Windows 11 Without Data Loss

You might be enthusiastic about trying Windows 11 for the first time. What could possibly deter you? It boasts an entirely refreshed user interface and exciting new features, such as the native ability to run Android apps within Windows.

Many people ask if they can clone Windows 11 to a USB drive. The answer is yes! Provided you have sufficient capacity on the USB flash drive, you can easily copy Windows 11 onto it. However, Windows does not have an inbuilt cloning function, and you will need to use third-party disk clone software, such as the easiest disk cloning software found at this link: /disk-copy/clone-resource/easiest-disk-cloning-software.html.

Cloning refers to the process of creating a digital replica of a hard disk. Many individuals mistake it for data backup; however, these are distinct concepts since you cannot boot from a backup, whereas you can from a cloned system disk. In this blog, you will discover how to create a bootable clone on Windows 11 using the Disk Copy tool.

Necessary Tool for Cloning - Disk Copy Tools

Creating a bootable clone on Windows 11 involves duplicating the entire system. This ensures that both the system disk configuration and the data are preserved. Here's why we recommend using Disk Copy tools. It offers a variety of features tailored to cater to the needs of a wide range of Windows 11 users, such as:

• Clone a disk, partition, or operating system
• Windows 11 migration to a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) using this guide
• Transfer Windows 11 to a new computer
• Move the operating system from one SSD to another using this process
• Copy the Windows 11 operating system and programs to a USB flash drive

How to Create a Bootable Clone of Windows 11 1. Gather Requirements: - A source computer running Windows 11 - An external storage device (like an SSD or HDD) with enough capacity to hold the cloned system - Software for cloning: You can use free tools like Clonezilla, Macrium Reflect Free, or paid software like Acronis True Image 2. Backup Important Data: Before proceeding, ensure that you have backed up all important files and data on your computer, as the cloning process may erase everything on the target drive. 3. Prepare the Target Drive: - Connect the external storage device to your computer. - Format the drive to NTFS file system if it's not already formatted. You can do this through Disk Management in Windows (right-click Start > Disk Management). 4. Download and Install Cloning Software: - Choose a cloning tool based on your preference and download it. - Follow the installation instructions provided by the software. 5. Create a Bootable Media: - Most cloning software provides an option to create a bootable media, such as a USB drive or DVD. Follow the software's instructions to do this. 6. Boot from the Cloning Software: - Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the relevant key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del). - Change the Boot Order to prioritize booting from the USB or DVD you created. - Save and exit the BIOS, which will initiate the boot process from the cloning software. 7. Clone the System: - The cloning software will guide you through the process. Select the source drive (your current Windows 11 drive) and the destination drive (your external storage). - Choose options carefully; typically, you'll want a sector-by-sector clone to ensure a complete copy, including unused space. 8. Start the Cloning Process: - Once you've confirmed the settings, initiate the cloning process. This may take some time depending on the size of your system drive and the speed of your storage devices. 9. Verify the Clone: - After the cloning is complete, safely remove the bootable media and disconnect the target drive. - Connect the target drive to another computer or boot the source computer from it to verify that Windows 11 boots and functions correctly. 10. Optional: Swap Drives: - If you're satisfied with the cloned system, you can now use it as a bootable replacement drive. Ensure to update the boot configuration data (BCD) on the target drive to make it the default boot device. Remember that cloning is a delicate operation, so always double-check your steps and keep your data safe.

Download the disk cloning software from the button above, and refer to the detailed guide below to learn how to create a bootable clone of Windows 11.

Step 1: Download, install, and run the Disk Copy tool on your computer.

Click "Disk Mode" and choose the hard drive you wish to copy or clone. Proceed by clicking "Next."

Step 2: Choose the target disk.

Note: The target disk should be at least the same size as the source disk, or even larger, if you want to copy or clone the entire source hard drive.

Step 3: Review and edit the disk layout.

If your destination disk is an SSD, make sure to check the option that the target is an SSD.

Step 4: Click "OK" to confirm if the program prompts you to erase data on the target disk.

Step 5: Click "Proceed" to initiate the hard drive cloning process.

After copying the Windows operating system to the new SSD, you can now proceed to the next step to make the SSD bootable on your computer.

How to Boot Windows 11 from a Newly Cloned SSD

Upon completing the cloning process, if you need to boot from the cloned drive, don't worry. The steps outlined below will guide you on how to do that.

Changing the boot order in BIOS is a vital process to ensure a cloned SSD boots successfully on a Windows PC. By following these simple steps, your computer will automatically start Windows from the SSD: 1. **Restart your PC**: First, turn off your computer and then restart it. As it powers on, press the key indicated on the screen (usually F2, F10, or Del) to enter the BIOS setup. 2. **Enter BIOS**: Once you've pressed the correct key, you'll enter the BIOS menu. The interface may vary depending on your computer's manufacturer. 3. **Find the Boot Section**: Look for the "Boot" or "Startup" section in the BIOS menu. This is where you manage the boot priority of your devices. 4. **Change Boot Order**: Within the Boot section, locate the option to change the boot order. Typically, there will be a list of drives, and you can use arrow keys to highlight and move the cloned SSD to the top. 5. **Save and Exit**: After placing the cloned SSD at the top of the boot order, save the changes. This is usually done by pressing F10 and confirming with 'Yes' when prompted. 6. **Reboot**: Your PC will now restart with the updated boot order, attempting to boot from the cloned SSD first. If the cloning process was successful, Windows should load normally. 7. **Verify Cloning**: Once booted, check that everything is working correctly. If all files and settings are as they were on the original drive, the cloning was successful. Remember, if you encounter any issues during this process, consult your computer's user manual or contact the manufacturer's support for assistance.

Step 1. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS environment by pressing F2, F8, F11, or the Del key.

Step 2. In BIOS, navigate to the boot section and select the cloned SSD as the boot drive.

Step 3. Save your changes and restart your computer.

You should now be able to successfully boot the machine from the cloned SSD.

Conclusion

By following the method described in this article, you can create a bootable clone on Windows 11 without compromising your data. Restoring data from a backup is generally much simpler than attempting to recover data from a failed Windows installation. Therefore, we recommend employing tools like Disk Copy for this purpose.

Windows 11 Bootable Clone FAQs

2. What are the steps to clone a disk in Windows 11? 1. How do I duplicate a hard drive in Windows 11? 2. Can you guide me through the process of cloning a drive in Windows 11? 3. What is the method to create a copy of a disk in Windows 11? 4. How do I migrate my Windows 11 system to a new hard drive? 5. What software or tools can I use for cloning a drive in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, you can only rely on third-party software to perform disk cloning. One easy and convenient tool for this purpose is "Disk Copy."

1. Step 1. Click on "Disk Mode."
2. Step 2. Tools Disk Copy will automatically select the boot and system partition. Choose the target disk and click "Next."
3. Step 3. If the target disk is an SSD, select Optimize for SSD in the advanced options.
4. Step 4. Click "Proceed" to begin the cloning process.

2. Can I clone Windows 11 to an SSD?

Yes, you can clone Windows 11 to a solid-state drive (SSD). Since Windows 11 is a next-generation operating system, it's recommended to install it on modern storage like SSDs rather than older hard disk drives (HDDs). This is because SSDs offer significantly better performance compared to traditional HDDs while still being compact in size.

Even the most basic SSD is up to five times faster than its traditional HDD counterpart, meaning that not only will your data transfer at a quicker pace when used as the primary drive for booting your operating system, but your PC will also boot up and operate significantly faster than before. Additionally, for gamers, an SSD can revolutionize your gaming experience with substantially reduced load times and improved overall in-game performance.

However, the benefits don't stop there. Since SSDs are more reliable, compact, and consume less power, upgrading from the traditional HDD to an SSD is practically a no-brainer, especially considering that Windows 11 is a brand-new software. You'll want to begin with the best possible setup.

The only genuine drawback of opting for an SSD over a hard drive is that you get less storage for your money. While it's true that SSD prices have significantly dropped, with a 128GB model available for around $30, if you're looking for a larger capacity like a 1TB or 2TB drive, you'll end up paying considerably more than you would for an HDD.

3. Can I clone to an unallocated disk?

After cloning a hard drive to a larger HDD or SSD, the unallocated space might not be available for data storage. So, what can you do with this unused space? It's actually quite straightforward, and there are several options in certain scenarios.

Utilize Disk Management if you have unallocated space directly adjacent to the cloned partition. Right-click on the partition that is nearest to the unallocated space and choose Properties. From the drop-down menu, select Extend Volume. In the pop-up window, you can drag the arrow to the end of the box to allocate the space.

Another option is to use the unused space to create a new basic volume. Right-click the unallocated space.