How to Clone SSD to Larger SSD in Windows 10/8/7

Trying to clone SSD to a larger SSD on Windows? The infographics below tell you how much SSD storage space you need. Generally, you can choose different sizes from 250GB to the final 4TB or more for both SATA SSD and NVMe SSD.

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Why choose to clone to upgrade a smaller SSD?

The disk cloning method is commonly used by PC users when cloning an SSD to SSD, swapping out a computer, or simply upgrading from an old or small hard drive to a newer or bigger one. This is because cloning creates an exact copy of the original drive, seamlessly transferring data to the new disk without any data loss, including the operating system. It saves time by avoiding the need to reinstall the OS and also spares the expense of going to a computer repair shop for data retrieval.

When it comes to cloning a smaller SSD to a larger SSD, the success rate can be as high as 99.9% if you use a disk cloning tool. The prerequisite for a successful clone is that the target disk must be larger than the source disk. On the other hand, to ensure a smooth and high-speed cloning process, choosing a reliable disk cloning software is your best bet. Additionally, we offer alternatives like Macrium Reflect and Clonezilla for users. To quickly find a suitable solution, review each scenario that matches your circumstances.

What do I need to clone a smaller SSD to a larger SSD, starting with?

This process requires a cable or enclosure, SSD cloning software, and some configuration steps.

1. Connect another SSD solid-state drive to your computer or laptop

Since you plan to replace your current SSD with a larger one or clone your HDD to an M.2 SSD, you need to understand the differences between the SSD ports and connection methods to choose the right way to connect both disks to your computer.

On a desktop, you can simply connect the new drive to one of its M.2 or SATA ports and mount the new drive.

Otherwise, if your laptop doesn't have spare drive bays, you can use some sort of enclosure to connect it externally. For a 2.5-inch SATA SSD, a simple SATA-to-USB 3.0 enclosure will do, while for an M.2 NVMe or SATA drive, an M.2-to-USB enclosure will work.

2. Download the tool Disk Copy.

In terms of reliability, performance, and ease of use, we consider this disk cloning software the best option for any cloning job on Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7.

A comprehensive look at the best disk cloning software for 2021, including tools like Macrium and Clonezilla.

Top 5 Disk Cloning Software

 

3. Perform the cloning process.

Whether you're shifting only the C drive from an SSD to a different spot or migrating the entire boot drive with its contents to a new SSD, you gotta make sure the new drive is big enough to fit everything. Once the cloning is done, your rig should boot up smoothly from the fresh SSD.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Migrate to a Larger SSD Without Losing Any Data

To avoid data loss when cloning SSD to a larger SSD in Windows 10/8/7, you need a simple yet powerful disk cloning software for SSD cloning. This tool allows users to clone hard drive to SSD without losing data or reinstalling the OS. It is also applicable when you need to clone SSD to new SSD or clone to a larger SSD with a different OS.

AOMEI Backupper is a disk cloning software that can exceed your expectations for all Windows systems, meaning it supports cloning SSD to a larger HDD, upgrading system disk, and even cloning system in Windows 10/8/7, etc. If you have any doubts about whether it works, download the trial version here, and then follow the steps below to clone SSD to another SSD! It won't take long, depending on how much data you have on the disk.

Step 1: Download, install, and run a disk cloning tool on your computer.

Click “Disk Mode,” then select the hard drive you want to copy or clone. Click “Next.”

Step 2: Select the target disk.

Note: If you're copying or cloning a source disk, the target disk should be at least as large as the source disk, or larger.

Step 3: Check and edit the disk layout.

If the target disk is an SSD, make sure to check the Target is SSD option.

If prompted, confirm that you want to erase the data on the target disk.

Step 5: Click “Proceed” to start the hard drive cloning process.

If you encounter disk cloning situations like cloning SSD to a larger or smaller SSD, try the tool cloning method right away!

Note: If you chose to replace your system disk with a larger SSD or HDD, remember to change the boot order in your BIOS settings to boot from the new SSD or HDD instead of the old system disk. Otherwise, you might encounter a boot failure error.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can a 500GB SSD be cloned to a 1TB SSD?

Yes, you can absolutely clone a 500GB SSD to a 1TB SSD without any issues. This can be done using any reliable cloning software, such as Todo Backup. Just make sure your 1TB SSD has enough free space to accommodate the cloned content. Also, note that after cloning, the SSD will be bootable and will have the same partition size as the original 500GB SSD. If you wish to utilize the full capacity of the 1TB SSD, you'll need to resize the partition on the cloned SSD after the cloning process is complete.

2. Can SSDs of different sizes be cloned?

Yes, you can clone an SSD of a different size. Make sure the target SSD has enough free space for the cloning process.

How do I clone an SSD to another SSD in Linux?

While the cloning method for Windows doesn't directly apply to Linux, we also have a tutorial on how to clone Linux HDD to SSD without reinstalling, which involves command lines.