How to Migrate Windows Server 2022/2019/2016 to HDD/SSD

How to Migrate a Windows Server to HDD or SSD with UTF-8 Encoding?

There are many reasons why the need to migrate Windows Server 2022/2019/2016 to HDD/SSD is on the rise. After prolonged usage, Windows Server might start running slow, and moving it to a new HDD or SSD can improve the performance of booting and running the computer operating system.

Moreover, suppose you have just bought a new computer and want it to run the same operating system server. In that case, you would need to transfer Windows Server to a new PC using an external HDD/SSD. Sometimes, your computer might encounter different boot issues, and migrating the Windows Server OS to HDD/SSD can help you deal with such situations.

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A typical Windows user might think of using the Copy and Paste option to transfer the data to the new disk. However, this operation doesn't involve copying and pasting the Windows server system and data onto the new HDD/SDD. As a result, the server system won't boot up.

To effectively migrate Windows Server 2022/2019/2016 to a new HDD/SSD, you need reliable software to perform this task efficiently. By following the steps in this tutorial guide, you can successfully transfer your Windows Server 2022/2019/2016 or earlier system to a new hard drive or SSD.

## Prerequisites: Buy a new hard drive or SSD and prepare it

Before you begin the entire Windows Server migration process, there are a few things to do. First, purchase a new HDD/SSD and prepare it for the migration process.

#1. Purchase a new HDD/SSD

When shopping for a data storage drive, the first thing you need to consider is whether you want a solid-state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD). An SSD functions the same as a traditional HDD, but it uses flash memory instead of the spinning metal disks in an HDD. SSDs are faster at reading and writing data, use less power, make no noise, last longer, and cost more, but they have less storage space at any given price point than an HDD. If you need as much storage space as possible and are on a budget, go with an HDD.

Most internal drives (HDD/SSD) connect via a SATA connector, while external drives, whether HDD or SSD, connect to your system through a USB port. Due to physical limitations, a single HDD drive can have a maximum storage capacity of up to 18TB, whereas consumer-grade SSDs max out at around 5-8TB per drive. However, SSDs are very efficient in reading and writing data and have higher RPMs, allowing for quicker data transfer to and from the drive.

Depending on your preference, you can choose either, as both HDD and SSD are capable of accommodating the installation of Windows Server 2022/2019/2016.

#2. Initialize a new hard drive/SDD to get it ready for use

After purchasing an HDD or SSD, the next step is to connect it to your computer and initialize it using Disk Management. Here's how to get started:

• Shut down your computer, then plug in the HDD/SSD with its SATA and power cables. Restart your computer when you're done.
• Press "Windows + R" on your keyboard, then type in "diskmgmt.msc". Click OK or hit Enter to open Disk Management.
• Right-click on the HDD or SSD and select "Initialize Disk." If the disk is listed as "Offline," right-click it and select Online first.

From the “Initialize Disk” dialog, select the correct disk to initialize, and click “OK” to use the source partitioning scheme, or adjust the partition style by converting to MBR or GPT.

The HDD/SSD has now been initialized and is ready for use.

Tutorial: Migrate Windows Server 2022/2019/2016 to HDD/SSD with UTF-8 Encoding

Again, you need a third-party tool to effectively migrate Windows Server to HDD/SSD. One of the available tools is the Enterprise Partition Master Tool. The Enterprise Partition Master Tool integrates essential features to meet users' disk management needs.

Translating English to Chinese involves turning English text into Chinese, whether that's individual words or phrases, or entire articles or books. It's vital to take context, cultural differences into account, and maintain the original meaning and tone. For instance, "Hello, how are you?" would be "你好，你怎么样？" in Chinese.

With its Migrate OS feature, you can successfully migrate your Windows Server operating system to a new disk without reinstalling Windows Server with just a few clicks.

Note: If there isn't enough unallocated space on the target disk, migrating the operating system to an SSD or HDD will delete and remove existing partitions and data on the target disk. Back up any important data on it to an external hard drive beforehand.

Step 1: In the left menu, choose "Clone." Select "Migrate an operating system," then click "Next" to proceed.

Step 2. Select the target disk that you want to clone to. Click “Next”.

Step 3: Review the warning message, then click "OK". All data and partitions on the target disk will be erased. Make sure you have backed up all important data beforehand. If not, please do it now.

Step 4. Preview the layout of the target disk. You can also click on the Disk Layout option to customize the layout of the target disk as needed. Then, click "Start" to begin migrating your operating system to the new disk.

5. When you see the confirmation message, “Do you want to boot from the cloned disk?” check the box for “Change to boot from cloned disk,” and then click the appropriate button depending on your needs.

• Restart Now: Restarts the computer immediately and boots the operating system from the new disk.
• Finish Later: Completes the change at a later time.

In addition to OS migration, Partition Master Enterprise can clone your entire disk and replace an outdated or damaged one with a new one in just a few clicks.

It is fully compatible with Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012 (R2), 2011, 2008 (R2), and 2003. Individual Windows Server users can download and install this software directly to easily and efficiently migrate Windows Server to a new HDD/SSD.

If you want to do the same on your PC, that is, upgrade system disk and migrate OS from HDD to SSD, feel free to download AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional on your PC and follow this tutorial:

How to Transfer OS to SSD? 2023 Beginner's Guide

With the renowned OS migration software, Partition Master, users can effortlessly move, migrate, and transfer their operating system to an SSD without reinstalling Windows 11/10/8/7.

Follow-up action: Make the Windows Server operating system bootable on the new disk

To complete the migration of your entire Windows Server, you must ensure that the new hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) with the transferred operating system is set as the boot drive in the BIOS settings. This will allow your computer to boot the Windows Server OS from the new HDD/SSD. Here's a simple step-by-step guide: 1. Restart your computer and enter BIOS setup: - During startup, brief on-screen instructions usually appear, indicating how to enter the BIOS (commonly by pressing F2, F10, Delete, or Esc). - Quickly press the corresponding key to access the BIOS setup. 2. Locate the "Boot" or "Boot Order" option: - In the BIOS settings, navigate to the section related to booting, which may be labeled "Boot," "Boot Order," or something similar. 3. Adjust the boot order: - Use the arrow keys to select the newly installed HDD/SSD and move it to the top of the boot order list. - Ensure that the old HDD is not at the top of the boot order to prevent accidentally starting the old system. 4. Save and exit: - Follow on-screen instructions (usually by pressing F10) to save your changes and exit the BIOS settings. - Your computer will automatically restart, this time booting from the new HDD/SSD. 5. Verify the operating system startup: - If all goes well, your computer should successfully start Windows Server on the new drive. - Once in the system, check that all services and applications are running normally to confirm a successful migration. Please note that entry methods and settings for BIOS can vary slightly depending on the brand and model of your computer. If the steps above don't apply, consult your computer manufacturer's user manual or online support documentation.

1. Insert the new HDD/SSD into your computer and restart your PC. Press DEL, F1, or F2 (depending on the manufacturer) during startup to enter BIOS settings. 2. At the top of the settings menu, click on Boot to display the boot order.

A utility window for accessing the BIOS settings to change the system boot order

• Use the keys displayed on the screen to set the boot sequence to the order in which you want the system to attempt to start an operating system from each device.
• Set the boot sequence to first attempt to boot from the new hard drive.
• Press F10 to save your BIOS changes.
• Click Yes at the confirmation prompt to confirm your changes.

Restart your computer using the new boot order. The BIOS will boot from the new hard drive or SSD first, then boot from the next device in the order.

Conclusion

This guide provides an in-depth walkthrough of the critical steps required to migrate Windows Server 2022/2019/2016 to HDD/SSD. We recommend users utilize a reliable server migration software, AOMEI Partition Assistant Enterprise, to facilitate the migration process. Additionally, after transferring the Windows operating system, users should ensure that the new drive is initialized and set to boot from BIOS. We hope this guide serves as a valuable resource for your Windows OS migration task.

Frequently Asked Questions About Migrating Windows Server to HDD/SSD with UTF-8 Encoding

If you have more questions about migrating Windows Server to a new HDD or SSD disk, refer to the following FAQs and find your answers:

**1. What type of SSD is used in the server?**

There are three types of SSDs (solid-state drives) commonly used in Windows servers: SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) SSD, SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) SSD, and NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) SSD.

< strong > 2. Can you put an SSD in a server?

Of course, here are the steps to install a new SSD on a Windows server computer: 1. **Shut down and disconnect power**: Ensure the server is completely turned off and unplug it from the power outlet to avoid any power surges or accidental startups. 2. **Gather tools**: You may need a screwdriver and other small tools to open the server chassis. 3. **Determine installation location**: Inspect the server's interior to find a suitable slot for the SSD. This could be a SATA, PCIe, or M.2 interface, depending on your server configuration. 4. **Install the SSD**: - For SATA SSD: Slide the SSD into an available SATA slot and secure it in place with screws. - For PCIe SSD: Insert the SSD into a PCIe slot, usually using a half-height or full-height bracket. - For M.2 SSD: Locate the M.2 slot on the motherboard, gently slide in the SSD as directed, and secure it with a screw. 5. **Connect power and data cables**: Make sure the SSD is properly connected to power and data cables. For SATA SSDs, this typically includes a SATA data cable and a SATA power cable; for PCIe or M.2 SSDs, they're often powered directly through the motherboard. 6. **Reassemble the server**: Replace the chassis cover and secure it with screws. 7. **Boot into BIOS**: Connect all necessary monitors, keyboards, and mice, then reconnect power. Start the server and enter the BIOS settings. 8. **Verify new hardware**: In the BIOS, confirm that the newly installed SSD is detected. If needed, update the BIOS to the latest version. 9. **Install the operating system**: - For a fresh install: Insert the system installation media and follow the prompts to install the OS, selecting the new SSD as the target. - For migration: Use built-in tools (like Windows Server's "Disk Management") or third-party software to migrate your existing system and data to the new SSD. 10. **Update drivers and system**: After installation, ensure all necessary drivers are updated and apply all available operating system updates. 11. **Test and optimize**: Boot the server and check its performance. Adjust settings and partitions as needed for optimal performance. Adapt these steps according to your server model and SSD type. If you have specific server or SSD models, consult the relevant user manuals or online guides for more detailed instructions.

1. Shut down the Windows Server computer.
2. Open the computer case and remove the SSD.
3. If it's a SATA or SAS SSD, connect it to your desktop using a power cable and a SATA cable. For NVMe, locate an M.2 slot, slide the NVMe SSD in, and secure it with screws.
4. Reboot the Windows Server and initialize the SSD on the computer in Disk Management.
5. Then, you can use it to clone the hard drive, migrate the operating system, or create new partitions for file storage.

3. Are solid-state drives better for servers?

In a Windows server system, when comparing the performance of HDDs and SSDs, SSDs are faster in file reading and writing, while HDDs are slower. Additionally, SSDs provide more stable operation for programs and the system. However, the most compelling factor that might attract server users to choose HDDs is their price. HDDs with larger storage capacities are generally cheaper than SSDs.

So, if you're leaning towards using an SSD for your OS, then yes, SSDs are better for servers. But for data storage, HDDs are better for servers.