How to Clone Only Used Disk Space [Step-by-Step Guide]

Cloning only used space means creating a copy of data, including the computer's boot settings and applications, in another disk space. Are you looking for a way to clone only the used space? Do you want to know how to safely clone the used space without losing any data? Don't worry; here's a typical case study on cloning only used space:

Cloning only used space is a very common requirement and not a difficult task. This article will help you with the cloning process. Before we describe the detailed cloning methods, let's first see if you can clone only the used space.

Can I clone only the used space?

Of course, you can only clone the used space. Cloning only used space can save more cloning time. And it can back up data on a used HDD or SSD. Besides, cloning only used space from an HDD to SSD can also improve your computer's read and write performance. Then what tool should I use for cloning?

As mentioned above, you can't clone with Windows Disk Management. What is Disk Management? Disk Management is a tool provided by Windows for adjusting partition size and creating or deleting partitions. However, it doesn't offer cloning options. You need to use professional cloning software like Partition Master Professional to clone easily.

It supports disk cloning and partition cloning. You can also edit the size of the partition you're cloning so it only takes up as much space as used. Let's see how this reliable tool works.

How to clone only used disk space

AOMEI Partition Assistant is an all-in-one disk management software and powerful cloning tool. It supports all Windows users, including Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows XP/Vista, with an easy-to-use interface that allows for quick and secure cloning of only the used space.

Step 1: Select the source disk.

Click "Clone" from the left menu. Choose "Clone system disk" or "Clone data disk", then click "Next". Select the source disk and click "Next".

Step 2: Select the target disk.

Select the desired HDD/SSD as the target disk and click “Next” to proceed. Read the warning message and confirm by clicking the “Yes” button.

Step 3: Review the disk layout and edit the size of the target disk partitions, if necessary.

When the installer warns you that it will erase everything from the target disk, click “Continue” (back up any important data you have on the target drive beforehand).

You can choose to "Auto adjust disk size," "Keep the same as source," or "Edit disk layout." (Choose the last option if you want to reserve more space for the C drive.)

Click “Start” to begin cloning the hard drive.

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With Partition Master, you can quickly and safely clone data in used disk space. You can also clone Windows to another drive or clone system partition. Download it to solve more issues related to disk partition.

Once the cloning is done, you can verify your data on the cloned disk. If you want to boot your computer from the cloned disk, you need to clone the operating system. Then follow the steps in the article to change the boot disk order.

Step 1: Restart your computer and press F2/F8/Del to enter BIOS.

Step 2. On the right, set the target disk as the startup disk. Then save your settings.

Conclusions

This article helps you solve the problem of cloning only used space. Though Windows doesn't provide a cloning feature, you can use a professional cloning tool - Partition Master. It supports you to clone larger HDD to smaller SSD. And you can adjust the range of cloned data during the cloning process.

In addition, Partition Master has more advanced features. After cloning, you can completely wipe hard drive to free up space, format the disk, or resize partitions. Download the software to experience more.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cloning Only Used Disk Space

This section contains some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about space usage when cloning only. Read on if you're interested.

How to clone only C drive?

You can use a third-party software like Partition Master to <a href="/partition-master/clone-c-drive-on-windows-10.html" target="_blank">clone C drive on Windows 10</a>. Follow the steps below to clone C drive:

Step 1: Launch Partition Master and click “Clone Partition”.

Step 2: Select the source and target partitions, then click “Next”.

Step 3: Click on “Start” and wait for the conversion process to finish.

2. Does cloning copy everything?

Yes, cloning a hard drive copies everything. It's not the same as copying and pasting files, though. Cloning moves everything on the hard drive to another one, including all programs, apps, and data.

3. Can I clone just the operating system?

You can use the Partition Master tool to clone only the operating system. It's an intelligent tool that clones the data you want. This utility allows you to migrate the OS to an SSD or HDD without reinstallation.