Free image compression
Free image watermark
Free image edit
Free QR code
Free Image Format ConversionWhat is free disk cloning software?
Alright, in simple terms, free disk cloning software is a program that copies everything on a storage drive to another drive, creating a precise replica of the original. It's the quickest and simplest method to swap out a hard drive and its contents. By cloning the disk to a fresh one, you bypass the headache of manually moving your data and apps to the new drive. Now that we understand the perks of disk cloning, which are the most popular disk cloning tools for Windows devices? Can you rely on free hard drive cloning software?
To find the best free disk cloning software, we tested over 20 tools available on the market, including some of the open-source cloning software options. Here are the test stats that mattered to us.
| Number of software tested | 24 |
| Duration | 1 month |
| Supported Systems | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Scenarios for Disk Cloning | Hard drive upgrade, data transfer, preserving disk data as backup |
| Free Limitations | Unlimited use for free but with limited data cloning capacity |
| Ease of Use | Interface and operation |
| Disk Cloning Time | Varies from 5 minutes to 1 hour |
After thorough testing, we found the winners usually offer 24/7 tech support, a stable cloning process, super-fast cloning speeds, and minimal chances of errors or failed clone operations. Let's dive in.
1. Tool: Disk Cloning
Tag: 4.7-star positive reviews, free trial
With a decade-long market dominance in providing the safest and most feasible cloning solutions for both computers and businesses, Disk Copy has been recognized as a user-friendly and efficient HDD and best SSD cloning software. Recently, it released version 6.0, which adopts a tiered computation technique for disk parameters, boosting the average cloning speed by 20-30 seconds per GB – a giant leap that sets its cloning options apart from competitors over the years.
Key features:
- Clone a single partition, multiple partitions, or the entire hard drive selectively
- Fast cloning speed with minimal errors
- Easily upgrade and replace the C drive with an SSD
- Efficient in cloning disks with bad sectors
- Supports one-click system cloning for effortlessly migrating Windows OS to HDD/SSD
- Clones a disk without an operating system from a bootable media
- Permits cloning a larger HDD to a smaller SSD
- Replace a failed hard drive without losing data
- Supports sector-by-sector cloning to copy only used space
Latest news from PRNewswire.com:
Tools Disk Copy 6.0.0 Update Takes HDD/SSD Cloning Experience to New Heights
- Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.
Todo Backup is a backup utility that likely ranks very high among its competitors in the same category. This tool specializes in backing up and restoring files, systems, disks, applications, and more. It aids users in protecting their data from unexpected loss due to hardware failures, virus infections, or other system issues. Todo Backup offers a comprehensive backup solution, featuring scheduled backups, incremental backups, and differential backups, catering to various user needs. However, the translation "Top 2. tools" might suggest that this tool is ranked second in a particular list or review context.
Tag: An excellent backup and recovery tool with disk cloning, compatible with Windows, and free for personal use.
Todo Backup is a reliable and comprehensive backup software that offers numerous powerful features to ensure the safety of your data. One of its highlights is its SSD cloning software, which enables users to create an exact copy of their hard drive or SSD. With this feature, users can easily migrate their operating system, upgrade their storage device, or back up crucial files and settings.
With its user-friendly interface and advanced options, Todo Backup makes disk cloning a simple and efficient process, providing peace of mind to users and enabling swift system recovery in case of data loss or hardware failure.
Key features:
- Incorporated computer protection tools with data backup, cloning, and synchronization capabilities
- Compressed backups and encrypted backups
- Creation of bootable media such as USB, CD, and DVD
- Clone HDD to SSD, SSD to HDD, SSD to SSD, and small HDD to larger HDD
- Backup files, systems, and disks
- Support for various backup types, including incremental and differential backups
Third Place: Acronis True Image – now called Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office [2]
Tagged: Previously called Acronis Cyber Backup, and used by many businesses for backup purposes
Acronis True Image Office (https://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/computer-backup/) is a fast and powerful cloud disk cloning tool and imaging app, complete with advanced AI technologies and blockchain-based data notarization for real-time protection against encryption and ransomware. This high-quality disk cloning software is an excellent choice for individuals to back up and protect their systems. You can start with a 30-day free trial.
Key features:
- Compatible with Windows and Mac systems
- Runs backups in the background while you perform other tasks
- Unique network protection solution to safeguard all your data, apps, and systems effectively
- Multiple disk cloning and backup options: Image cloning, disk cloning, and bootable recovery drive
User Feedback:
Acronis True Image can successfully clone a WD drive to a Samsung 970 Evo Plus, and it also supports disk cloning between different types and brands of drives.
Let's upgrade some NVMe storage! ? Replacing a 128GB WD with a 512GB Samsung 970 Evo Plus. Cloning the drive with @Acronis True Image and then rearranging and expanding partitions with Acronis Disk Director. pic.twitter.com/u0JaqerFe3 — Glitch IT (@GlitchITLimited) January 25, 2023
#4 Clonezilla – Best Open Source Disk Cloning Software
Tags: Best open-source disk cloning software, free, no technical support
Clonezilla (https://clonezilla.org/) is one of the top free disk cloning, disk imaging, and data recovery utilities out there. You can download three versions of Clonezilla: Clonezilla Live, Clonezilla Lite Server, and Clonezilla SE. The Clonezilla SE version or server edition can clone over 40 computers simultaneously. It's an excellent open source disk cloning and imaging software.
Key features:
- Clone disks/partitions to standalone hard drives
- Support for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems
- Support for various file systems: FAT 12/16/32, ext2/3/4, NTFS, HFS+, UFS
- Multiple encryption options with eCryptfs or AES 256-bit encryption for securing disk images
User Case:
Clonezilla will clone your disk for free, but the process is more complex than with some third-party apps, such as Disk Copy.
3TB hard drive cloning that went on all night #clonezilla pic.twitter.com/G6vAhmuysU — Moonclang's Ecstatic Disco House (@moonclang_music) May 1, 2021
#5: Macrium Reflect Free Edition
Tag: No Longer Free, Free to Some
Macrium Reflect Free Edition (https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree) is a very popular disk cloning solution for personal users (especially the free version) as well as for business and enterprise use. It's compatible with Windows, allowing you to create disk images and disk clones, access images from a file manager, and create a Linux Rescue CD. You can use the free version to perform a complete system recovery from an unbootable system and schedule backups or create a live image of your OS.
Note: The company recently announced that the Macrium Reflect Free edition will be discontinued on January 1, 2024.
Key features:
- - User-friendly and intuitive interface
- Clone entire hard drives or specific partitions
- Fast incremental cloning to speed up the process by copying file system differences
- Free license also covers commercial usage
- Supports Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP and Linux
- Compatible with FAT 12/16/32, exFAT, NTFS, HFS+, and ReFS
User Review:
Macrium Reflect Free is an excellent way to clone all sorts of disks, dealing with SSDs, GPT, MBR, UEFI, and resizing partitions as needed. It runs well on your computer.
My conclusion is that the correct and possibly only free way to clone a Windows install drive is with Macrium Reflect Free, which supports SSDs, GPT, UEFI, partition resizing, and OS booting. Acronis Disk Director can be skipped. — Ben Hutchison (@Aldaviva) October 21, 2022
6th place: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free
Tag: Backed up, limited user feedback
Paragon Backup & Recovery Free (https://www.paragon-software.com/free/br-free/) is a free disk-cloning tool that creates backups and partitions. This sophisticated drive-cloning utility lets you back up your operating system and migrate it to a new computer. You can also opt to copy entire hard drives or individual partitions. Its quick recovery feature gets you up and running after a system mishap.
Key features:
- Provides a wizard to assist users in restoring backup images
- You can create your own recovery environment with the Recovery Media Builder tool
- The Community Edition is available for non-commercial use and is entirely free
- Back up entire files, volumes, or disks, or select them individually
There are hardly any reviews or user feedback about it online, but the version we tested worked well on both Windows 11 and Windows 10 machines. You can try it for yourself.
#7: MiniTool Partition Wizard
Tag: A free and powerful disk and partition manager
MiniTool Partition Wizard (https://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html) is a powerful and reliable free partition manager with numerous options for managing and optimizing hard disks or SSDs. One of its standout features is the free disk cloning function, which allows users to quickly and easily clone entire drives or selected partitions.
MiniTool Partition Wizard makes disk cloning super easy, whether you're upgrading your storage, moving your OS, or just backing up your data. Its user-friendly interface and bunch of options let you clone a disk in seconds, guaranteeing data safety and a smooth transition to new storage.
Key features:
- Create and delete partitions with very simple steps
- Use it to move or resize partitions
- Completely wipe all data from a partition
- Quickly convert a hard drive from FAT to NTFS without losing any data
- Clone and copy hard drives and partitions for immediate use
- Merge two partitions into one without losing data
#8: Active@ Disk Image
Tag: It is best known for its disk-imaging tools.
Active@ Disk Image (https://www.disk-image.com/index.html) is a disk cloning and imaging tool for Windows that can create an exact copy of any PC disk. Disk images can be used for backup, PC upgrades, or disk duplication purposes. It is compatible with Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1, Server 2003, Server 2008, Server 2012, Server 2016, Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris.
The free version of this disk cloning software lets you create and restore disk images, compress images, and mount images as virtual drives.
Key features:
- Support for various storage devices including HDD, SSD, USB, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray
- Diverse disk duplication utilities: Disk to Image, Image to Disk, Create Original Image, Verify Image, Disk to Disk Copy, Clone Disk, Mount Image, etc.
- Three image compression options available: Fast, Normal, and High
- Mount images as virtual drives
#9: Iperius Backup
Tag: Business
Iperius Backup (https://www.iperiusbackup.com/index.aspx) is a comprehensive Windows data backup and disk cloning software that supports cloud services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and Azure Storage. Cloud backups are protected with AES 256-bit encryption, ensuring the security of your data.
Iperius Backup is a top-notch HDD or SSD disk cloning and imaging tool for businesses, that allows you to backup files, databases, or virtual machines.
Key features:
- Supports incremental backups and synchronization
- Enables disk cloning, P2V conversion, and drive recovery creation
- Backs up databases including Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB
- Backs up to NAS, USB drives, FTP, cloud storage, and S3
- Free trial available
#10: Symantec Ghost Solution Suite
Tag: Cross-platform compatibility
Symantec Ghost Solution Suite (https://www.broadcom.com/products/cyber-security/endpoint/management/ghost-solutions-suite) is one of the top disk imaging software options out there, enabling you to clone hard drives on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. This disk cloning tool provides a comprehensive solution for imaging and deploying desktops, laptops, tablets, and servers.
Key features:
- Guided web-based user interface
- Migrate operating system from HDD to SSD
- Compatibility with various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux
#11: DriveImage XML
Tag: via disk mapping
DriveImage XML (https://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm) is an easy-to-use and reliable disk and partition imaging and backup software. It comes in two versions: the Private Edition, which users can employ for free, and the Commercial Edition, intended for business use. This disk cloning utility lets you create secure “hot images” from drives while they're in use. The images are stored in XML files, enabling you to process them with third-party tools.
Key features:
- - Direct, drive-to-drive cloning from hard disk to hard disk
- Scheduled automatic backups
- Supports Windows XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
- Backup, image, and restore drives formatted with FAT 12, 16, 32 and NTFS
12. O&O Disk Image
Tagged: Can clone disks, but is best known as a simple disk-management solution
O&O DiskImage (https://www.oo-software.com/en/diskimage-backup-your-data) is a full-featured disk management tool that includes cloning, imaging, and remote scripting for Windows 7 and later. This disk cloning utility lets you back up your entire computer or individual files at any time, even while it's in use. O&O DiskImage allows you to perform a system restore on a computer with different hardware than the original.
Key features:
- User-friendly and highly customizable
- Supports incremental and differential backups
- Compatible with SSD drives and the latest UEFI systems
- Enables cloning of entire hard disks and system restoration to different machines
The last word, ultimately, will be theirs.
With so many to choose from, you might be wondering which ones to pick. Fear not; here's a quick summary of what we found:
- ?Disk Copy Tool - Best Overall. After analyzing over 20 different disk cloning software, we believe that Disk Copy Tool is the best choice for Windows users due to its excellent performance and user-friendliness. It offers comprehensive protection for your computer data with its backup and clone features.
- Macrium Reflect - Best Free Disk Cloning Software. If you don't have a budget for disk cloning software, Macrium Reflect is your best bet. Despite its somewhat complex user interface, its free cloning features ensure a smooth and successful cloning process.
- Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office - Best for Home Data Protection. As the name suggests, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is tailored for home data security. If you need to manage multiple devices at home, this is an excellent tool you won't want to miss.
- Iperius Backup - Enterprise Favorite. Equipped with a powerful processor, Iperius Backup integrates with various cloud services, offering reliable disk cloning and imaging capabilities for enterprise users.
Did you find this article useful? If so, please share it with your followers and friends on social media to help them clone their hard drive easily using these free tools as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Disk Cloning Software
Below are some popular topics about free disk cloning software and how to clone a disk. Check out the brief answers to these questions.
Yes, Windows 10 includes a tool called "Windows Backup and Restore" that can be used to create system images or back up files and folders. However, this is not a professional cloning software, and if you need hard drive cloning functionality (i.e., copying an entire hard drive to another), you might require third-party software such as Clonezilla, Acronis True Image, or Paragon Backup & Recovery. These tools offer advanced cloning and disk imaging features suitable for system migration or backing up an entire hard drive's data.
The Windows 10 operating system itself does not come with built-in hard drive cloning software. However, you can use a tool like Disk Copy to clone a hard drive for Windows 10. Disk Copy is a hypothetical software name; in reality, you would need to choose a reliable disk cloning software according to your actual needs. This tool enables you to create an exact replica of your hard drive, upgrade from an HDD to an SSD, or replace an old drive without losing any data.
How to clone an operating system to an SSD? Cloning an operating system to an SSD (Solid State Drive) is typically done to improve computer performance or backup the current system. Here's a general procedure using cloning software like Clonezilla or Acronis True Image: 1. **Gather tools**: - An SSD - Cloning software (such as Clonezilla, Acronis True Image, or tools Todo Backup) - A computer with the software installed - A USB boot drive or DVD to run the cloning software 2. **Backup your data**: Before starting, ensure that all important files and data are backed up in case of any issues. 3. **Connect the SSD**: Attach the new SSD to your computer via SATA or USB interface. 4. **Create a bootable media**: Download and follow the software provider's instructions to create a bootable USB or DVD. 5. **Boot into the cloning software**: Restart your computer, enter BIOS settings, change the boot order to boot from USB or DVD, save, and exit. This will start the cloning software. 6. **Select source and target drives**: In the cloning software's interface, choose your existing hard drive as the source drive and the new SSD as the target drive. 7. **Start the cloning process**: Depending on the software, select the cloning mode, usually "Disk to Disk" or "Partition to Partition." Confirm your selection and initiate the cloning process. 8. **Wait for completion**: Cloning may take some time depending on the size and speed of the source drive. Do not power off or move the computer during this time. 9. **Verify the clone**: Once cloning is complete, disconnect the original hard drive, set the SSD as the primary boot drive in your computer's BIOS, and restart. If everything is working correctly, your computer should boot from the SSD, and the operating system should function normally. Keep in mind that different cloning software might have specific steps, so it's best to refer to the software's documentation for detailed instructions.
You can clone Windows 10 to a smaller SSD using the best disk cloning software – Disk Copy Tool, following the steps below.
Step 1. Connect the new SSD to your computer. Launch the Windows 10 disk cloning tool.
Step 2. Select “System Clone.” Choose the new SSD as the target disk to save the cloned Windows 10 system.
Step 3. Then click “Start Clone” to clone Windows 10 to HDD/SSD.
Then, insert the new SSD into your computer, restart your PC, change the boot order, and set your computer to boot from the new SSD with the cloned Windows 10 system.
- Restart your computer and press F2 or F8 to enter BIOS setup.
- In the "Boot" option, select your new SSD as the new boot drive, and save all changes.
- Exit BIOS and restart your computer; you should now see Windows 10 running on your new SSD as usual.
Is it better to do a clean install of Windows 10 or clone an existing installation?
Cloning is the process of copying your entire Windows 10 operating system from one hard drive to another, including Windows 10 itself, updates, installed programs, and user profiles. It's quicker than a fresh install, so it's usually the preferred method when you're switching to a new hard drive. If you don't want to keep your old data around, though, a fresh install is a good choice.