Copying partitions or hard drives involves duplicating all the contents from one drive to another or onto the cloned drive. This process serves multiple purposes such as migrating the operating system, creating a backup, and shifting data from the drive to a new computer.

In this guide, you will learn how to copy a partition to another drive using Command Prompt. Additionally, you will discover the best alternative to this method.

How to Copy Partition to Another Drive Using Command Prompt

CMD stands for Command Prompt, which is a fantastic terminal feature that comes with Windows. It allows users to invoke any utility that requires a Command-Line Interface (CLI). However, as it lacks a graphical user interface, extra caution is necessary when using it. With CMD, you can easily copy partitions to an Android drive by utilizing the XCOPY command. This enables users to copy files and directories, including their subdirectories, which is not possible with the standard copy command.

Notice:
Ensure that there is an active partition on the new drive, as XCOPY is unable to create one. You can utilize the Diskpart utility to create a new partition and mark it as active. Afterward, you can employ the XCOPY command to transfer the files.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu and select Command Prompt (Admin) to open it with administrative privileges.

Run as administrator

Step 2: The next step is to enter the following command in the window. Here's the syntax for the XCOPY command:

xcopy C:\ F:\ /S /E /H /I /C /Y

Type the command

Explanation of the Terms:

  • c:/: This signifies targeting the drive you want to copy, and it also allows you to switch it with another device.
  • f:/: This represents the destination you want to replicate, and you can also replace it with the appropriate hard drive.
  • /s: This means copying directories and all subdirectories until they are completely emptied.
  • /e: This duplicates every subdirectory, including empty ones.
  • /h: This duplicates hidden files and system file attributes.
  • /i: This assumes the destination to be a folder in the process.
  • /c: This continues copying without stopping due to errors.
  • /y: This suppresses the prompt for confirming the overwriting of existing files.

Step 3: After identifying the command, type it and press Enter. Wait patiently, and once completed, click on the Exit button to return to the main screen.

Copying a partition to another hard drive can be a challenging task, particularly for beginners. In such situations, the only savior is specialized software or a viable alternative for the same.

How to Copy Partition to Another Drive with CMD Alternative

Although XCOPY in CMD works, it can be inconvenient for most users. Instead, using a tool like tools Partition Master would be an excellent choice. It is a fantastic tool that guarantees users easy and affordable access to various files, folders, and even partitions.

It is more user-friendly and offers more features compared to CMD. Refer to the table below to understand the differences:

Comparison AOMEI Partition Assistant Command Prompt (CMD)
Ease of Use User-friendly Difficult to use
Suitable Users Beginners Experts
Sector Copy Sector-by-sector Only individual sectors
Clone Windows Migrate OS to SSD/HDD Only clone partitions

Obviously, Partition Master is an excellent tool for cloning partitions. The utility supports both sector-by-sector and file-by-file copying of NTFS partitions. Before commencing the copying process, the tool checks the partition and automatically selects the appropriate copying option. Let's explore how it operates:

Step 1. From the left menu, select "Clone." Click "Clone Partition" and then "Next."

Step 2. Select the source partition and click "Next".

Step 3. Select the target partition and click "Next" to continue.

    1. If you clone a partition to an existing partition, you should transfer or back up your data beforehand to prevent it from being overwritten. 2. Review the warning message and click "Yes" to confirm.

Step 4. Click Start and wait for the cloning process to finish.

You can refer to this video tutorial to learn how to clone a partition or the system reserved partition.

What else can Partition Master do?

Partitioning tools provide an excellent means to copy a partition to another storage device. These utilities boast a broad array of appealing features, such as:

If you encounter any issues related to disk partition, feel free to download Partition Master for assistance!

Conclusion

Alright guys! It's all about copying a partition to another hard drive. Hopefully, you've gone through the details and understood the related aspects. When it comes to copying a partition, the tool Partition Master stands out prominently. It is quite popular among technicians, making it convenient to copy partitions to other devices or drives with ease.

It is a straightforward, effortless, and cost-effective tool that has assisted millions in copying data, files, folders, or even partitions, occasionally to different destinations. With just a few clicks, you can accomplish the task flawlessly. This guide provides comprehensive information on how to copy a partition to an Android hard drive.

Frequently Asked Questions on Copying Partition to Another Drive Using Command Prompt 1. **What is Command Prompt?** - Command Prompt, also known as CMD, is a command-line interpreter in Windows operating systems used for executing commands and managing system operations. 2. **Why would I need to copy a partition using CMD?** - You might use CMD for copying partitions when you want to create a backup, upgrade storage, or clone a system drive without using third-party software. 3. **Can I copy a partition with data intact using CMD?** - Yes, you can use the `robocopy` command to copy the contents of a partition, including files and folder structures. 4. **How do I copy a partition using CMD?** - First, open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. Then, use the `robocopy` command followed by the source partition path, destination partition path, and additional options as needed. For example: `robocopy C:\ D:\ /MIR` (this mirrors the content from C: to D:). 5. **What does `/MIR` option mean in the `robocopy` command?** - `/MIR` stands for "mirror," which deletes files on the destination that no longer exist in the source, ensuring the destination is an exact copy of the source. 6. **Will this process preserve file permissions and timestamps?** - Yes, `robocopy` by default preserves file attributes, permissions, and timestamps. 7. **Is there a risk of losing data during the process?** - If not done correctly, there's always a risk of data loss. Make sure you have a backup before proceeding and double-check your command syntax. 8. **Can I copy system partitions using this method?** - Yes, but be cautious as it may affect the bootability of your system. Ensure you know what you're doing or use specialized tools for cloning system partitions. 9. **How long will the copying process take?** - It depends on the size of the partition, your system's performance, and the speed of your storage devices. 10. **Is there any alternative to using CMD for this purpose?** - Yes, you can use disk cloning software like Clonezilla, Acronis True Image, or the built-in Windows Disk Management tool for a more user-friendly experience.

We understand how challenging it can sometimes be to copy a partition to another drive using the Command Prompt. We have provided comprehensive steps to address this frustrating issue. However, if you still have any questions, we have included various frequently asked questions (FAQs) in this guide to offer you convenient and definitive assistance.

1. How do I copy a partition using DiskPart? To copy a partition using DiskPart, follow these steps: 1. Open an elevated Command Prompt: - Press `Win + X` and click on "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)". 2. Type `diskpart` and press Enter. This will launch the DiskPart utility. 3. In the DiskPart prompt, type `list disk` and press Enter. This will display a list of all available disks on your system. 4. Identify the source disk and target disk. Make sure you note the correct disk numbers. 5. Select the source disk by typing `select disk ` and press Enter, replacing `` with the actual number. 6. List the partitions on the source disk by typing `list partition` and press Enter. 7. Identify the partition you want to copy (usually the one with data) and note its number. 8. Select the partition by typing `select partition ` and press Enter, replacing `` with the actual number. 9. Create a new partition on the target disk with enough space to hold the copied data. For example, if the source partition is 100 GB, create a new partition of at least 100 GB. Type `create partition primary size=` and press Enter, replacing `` with the size in megabytes. 10. Select the newly created target partition by typing `select partition ` and press Enter, replacing `` with the actual number. 11. Now, copy the data from the source partition to the target partition using the `copy` command: ``` copy /b diskpart: diskpart: ``` Replace `` and `` with the actual numbers. 12. After the copy process completes, exit DiskPart by typing `exit` and press Enter. Please note that this method doesn't create a bootable clone. If you need a bootable clone, consider using specialized cloning software like Clonezilla or Macrium Reflect. Also, ensure you have proper backups before making any changes to your disks.

Follow these steps to copy a partition using Diskpart:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt and run it with administrator privileges.

Step 2. Type the following command and press Enter: xcopy c:\ f:\ /s /e /h /i /c /y

Step 3. Type exit to close the windows.

2. Can I clone the C drive to the D drive? Yes, you can clone the C drive to the D drive. This process typically involves creating an exact copy of your system drive (C:) and transferring it to another drive (D:). There are various reasons for doing this, such as backup, upgrading to a larger drive, or migration to a new computer. You can use cloning software like Clonezilla, Acronis True Image, or built-in Windows tools like Disk Management or Backup and Restore to perform the cloning process. Make sure to have enough space on the D drive to accommodate the cloned data and follow the software's instructions carefully.

Indeed, cloning various files, folders, systems, installed programs, or documents from the C drive to the D drive is very convenient. It serves as an excellent means to safeguard your data against potential data loss. The simplest method to accomplish this is by utilizing the tool Partition Master.

3. Can you copy a partition to another drive?

Yes, you can indeed copy a partition to another drive. The method varies depending on your operating system and the utilities at your disposal. One common approach is to utilize a disk cloning software, which duplicates the complete contents of one drive, encompassing the partition you wish to copy, onto another drive. This is an effective method for creating a system backup or transferring your data to a new drive.