Two Ways to Move Files from HDD to NVMe SSD in Windows 11

You can transfer files from HDD to NVMe SSD in Windows 11. NVMe is a communication and driver interface that leverages the greater bandwidth of PCI. Its aim is to enhance productivity and efficiency, making it more capable of handling various client and enterprise tasks.

If you're using an older computer with Windows on an HDD, I can almost guarantee that it doesn't feel as snappy as a modern machine. The real reason is that HDDs are slow and degrade over time. So, upgrading to a faster drive like an SSD or NVMe would be a good choice.

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This article will share how to transfer your files from an HDD to an NVMe SSD without reinstalling the operating system and keeping all programs and data intact.

How to Move Files from HDD to NVMe SSD in Windows 11

We will discuss two methods to transfer files from HDD to NVMe SSD on Windows PC using a professional PC file transfer software – the Todo PCTrans tool, or a manual file transfer utility – Copy and Paste.

Both solutions serve different purposes, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs:

All in all, Todo PCTrans is a tool for more situations. It offers more powerful migration features, especially when moving files from an HDD to an NVMe SSD.

While this method is simple, it isn't ideal for moving files and data from one hard drive to another. Use this method only if you have a small number of files to transfer.

Method 1: Use an NVMe Data Transfer Software - Todo PCTrans

The File Migration feature in Todo PCTrans, along with its Backup and Restore function, can efficiently help users transfer files from HDD to NVMe SSD in Windows 11 without any data loss, processed through secure algorithms.

This tool is easy to use and will accept your time and effort effectively:

Option 1: Transfer files from HDD to NVMe SSD

If users wish to keep their operating system and games on an SSD and store other files on an HDD, they can utilize PC file transfer software to migrate large and small files from the SSD drive to the HDD drive. Here are the detailed steps to do so using Todo PCTrans tool: 1. **下载并安装Todo PCTrans**: 首先，访问Todo PCTrans的官方网站并下载适用于您操作系统的版本（Windows或Mac）。安装完成后，启动该应用程序。 2. **选择迁移模式**: 在主界面上，您会看到两个选项 - "Computer to Computer" 和 "Profile Transfer". 由于我们是要在同一台电脑的不同硬盘间转移文件，选择 "Computer to Computer" 模式。 3. **源和目标驱动器选择**: 在新打开的界面中，Todo PCTrans会显示您的所有硬盘。选择SSD作为“源”驱动器，然后选择HDD作为“目标”驱动器。点击“Next”。 4. **选择要转移的文件和文件夹**: 在接下来的界面中，您可以浏览并勾选想要转移的文件和文件夹。您可以按类型、大小或路径筛选它们。确保不要选中操作系统和游戏所在的文件夹，因为这些应该留在SSD上。 5. **预览和开始转移**: 一旦您选择好文件，可以预览转移列表以确认无误。然后，点击“Transfer”开始转移过程。请耐心等待，因为这可能需要一段时间，具体取决于文件数量和大小。 6. **完成转移并检查文件**: 转移完成后，关闭Todo PCTrans并重新启动电脑。然后，检查HDD上的文件是否完整且可访问，确保转移成功。 请注意，始终备份重要数据以防意外丢失，并确保在执行任何磁盘操作时电脑电源稳定。

Step 1: Create a backup image of the source hard drive

Launch the Todo PCTrans tool on your Windows computer. Go to the "Backup and Restore" mode, and click "Start."

Hover over "Data backup" and click "Next." You can then either confirm the default file name and file path, or customize them yourself.

Next, select the items you want to transfer to the other drive. Todo PCTrans allows users to back up various file types, including applications, personal data, and user accounts. To transfer files from one disk to another, uncheck “Applications” and “Accounts,” hover over “Files,” and then click “Edit.”

Select the file to create the hard disk image

Here, select the files from the source drive. Expand the drives and select the files you want, then click “Finish.” Finally, click “Backup.” Wait for the process to complete.

Step 2. Restore the files to the target drive

Launch Todo PCTrans, and follow the same steps to choose the transfer method. This time, select “Data Recovery,” then click “Next.”

Select "Restore from an image file" to restore the image file to another drive.

Select the existing backup file to restore from the displayed list, or browse to the exact location of the backup file, and then click Restore.

Go back to the “File” tab and click “Edit.” This is where you can view your backup files. Click the pencil icon to set the destination to another hard drive and confirm the change. Once you've made the basic settings, click “Finish,” then click “Restore.” Wait for the transfer to complete.

Option 2: Bulk Backup and Restore Files from HDD to NVMe SSD

With backup and restore, you can create an exact copy of your HDD and store it on an NVMe drive. This is also referred to as cloning, which allows for a quick switch to a storage device with a Windows installation.

Step 1: Create a backup file.

1. Connect the USB (flash) drive/external hard drive to the source computer. Launch Todo PCTrans and click "Backup & Restore > Start" on the main screen.

Transfer files via Backup and Restore – Step 1

2. Tap Data Backup to continue.

3. Hover over the “Apps,” “Files,” and “Accounts” columns, select the specific data, apps, etc. that you want, and then click “Backup” to create the backup file.

Transfer files via Backup and Restore – Step 3

Step 2: Restore from the backup file you just created.

1. Insert the USB drive containing the backup file into the target computer.

Make sure Todo PCTrans is installed on the target computer. Launch PCTransImage, and then double-click the backup file. If not, click PCTrans_setup.exe to install this utility.

Transfer files from PC to PC via Backup and Restore - Step 1

2. Now, you can choose the app/file/account you want to restore. Tap on “Restore”.

Transfer files from the image – Step 2

3. Wait a moment, then click “OK” to complete the restore process.

Transfer files via image - Step 3

You may also like other features of Todo PCTrans

Todo PCTrans is a versatile PC data transfer solution that caters to various file transfer needs. Its primary data transfer functions are as follows.

• Data transfer between two computers: Move apps, data, accounts, and settings over a network connection to another computer. Windows allows file sharing between two computers via WiFi.
• Migrate local apps without reinstallation: You can include popular and local apps like Microsoft Office, Adobe software, Google Chrome, and more. You can also move installed software between hard drive partitions, for instance, moving programs from the C drive to the D drive.
• Move files using backup and restore: In the absence of an internet connection, you can use backup and restore features to transfer files from the source computer to the target one. You can also create backups of your accounts, programs, and files.

Download Todo PCTrans for Free:

Method 2: By copying and pasting

This method is more time-consuming and involves more steps than the first method. Use this method if you need to transfer large files or entire folders.

This is also one of the easiest ways to transfer files from an HDD to an SSD in Windows 11. The two drives can be installed on the computer simultaneously, and copying and pasting allows files to propagate between them simply.

Please follow the instructions given below:

Step 1: Open the specific folder on the hard drive you want to transfer. Select each file individually with your mouse, then choose "Cut" or "Copy" from the right-click menu.

Step 2. Navigate to the recognized NVMe SSD drive on your computer, select the correct location, and use the right-click menu. Choose "Paste."

Step 3: Depending on the size of the file, you should see a progress window as the file is copied off the disc. This method can be used to copy any file off a disc whenever you need to.

If these methods successfully move all your files from HDD to NVMe SSD on your PC, feel free to share this guide to help more friends online:

For more on this, see Why NVMe SSDs Outperform HDDs.

So, what are the benefits of moving your files from an HDD to an NVMe SSD? Here are six key advantages:

• Faster Speeds: The difference in speed between copying large files on an HDD and an NVMe SSD is most noticeable. HDDs max out at speeds of 30 to 150 MB per second, while NVMe SSDs can easily reach peak rates of 3 to 4 GB per second. HDDs, with all their mechanical parts, are limited, slow, and fragile. They're not designed for seamless integration with modern technology and are hindered by technological constraints. In contrast, NVMe SSDs are next-generation technology compatible with various form factors, including M.2, U.2, and PCIe card slots.
• Lower Power Consumption: NVMe drives are more sustainable and power-efficient. By accessing and storing data on semiconductor modules, NVMe SSDs significantly reduce power usage. While SSDs require only 2 to 5 watts of power, standard HDDs need 6 to 15 watts.
• More Practical Sizes/Form Factors: HDDs utilize older form factors. The mechanical components make it very difficult to manufacture smaller HDDs. The NVMe protocol employs more compact form factors, such as M.2, U.2, and PCIe buses, shrinking the overall size of the SSD.
• Better User Experience: NVMe SDXC offers lightning-fast read, write, and I/O speeds, enhancing performance and reducing power consumption. On the other hand, HDDs generate higher temperatures due to their moving parts, impacting performance and increasing power usage. As a result, users typically have a superior experience with NVMe SSDs compared to HDDs.
• More Reliable and Durable: NVMe SSDs have a much longer lifespan than HDDs. HDDs typically last a few years, whereas SSDs can survive for a decade or more. This is because HDDs contain spinning disks that may degrade over time, whereas SSDs have no moving parts.
• Lighter Weight, No Noise: Smaller in size and without metal disks and heads, SSDs weigh less than larger HDDs. Consequently, the compact nature of NVMe SSDs makes them ideal for laptops, tablets, and other small electronic devices. The spinning mechanical disks in HDDs produce considerable noise and vibrations, which become more apparent when handling large files. NVMe drives, however, are silent.

Conclusions

This article elaborates on the correct approach to quickly transfer files from HDD to NVMe SSD. By following these strategies, you will learn how to move your files from HDD to SSD using the Todo PCTrans tool in Windows 11. These steps will make the process straightforward and efficient.

With the first method, you can use user-friendly programs like Todo PCTrans to migrate and back up files between the two disk formats. On the other hand, the manual copy-paste method is simple but time-consuming. Overall, Todo PCTrans is the easiest way to move files from an HDD to an NVMe SSD for Windows 11.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Files from HDD to NVMe SSD in Windows 11 (UTF-8)

For more questions and answers about transferring files from an HDD to an NVMe SSD, see the FAQ below.

How do I transfer system files from an HDD to an NVMe SSD?

There are two ways to transfer files from HDD to NVMe for migration. The first one is by using a cloning method, and the second is manually copying the files. However, the recommended method is cloning.

Cloning involves using specialized software to sector-by-sector copy the HDD to the SSD. This means that if your HDD is a bootable storage device with Windows and system files installed, you can immediately swap it out and boot from the NVMe SSD without having to reinstall anything.

< strong > 2. Can I transfer the OS from HDD to SSD without formatting?

It is possible, but you would need to use specialized tools to do so. Methods for Windows would likely format the target drive, but some professional tools allow you to迁移 the operating system without formatting.

However, we strongly recommend that you format the SSD before transferring it. Traces of any previous operating system can cause issues.

< strong > 3. How to Move Windows from HDD to NVMe SSD?

You can use disk cloning software to migrate Windows from an HDD to an NVMe SSD. Here are the steps to clone Windows to an NVMe SSD: 1. **选择合适的克隆工具**: 首先，你需要下载并安装一个可靠的磁盘克隆软件。Acronis True Image, Clonezilla, and Macrium Reflect are popular options. Make sure the software supports NVMe drives. 2. **备份数据**: 在开始克隆过程之前，确保备份所有重要文件和数据，以防万一。 3. **准备NVMe SSD**: 购买适合你电脑的NVMe SSD，并将其安装在你的计算机中。如果你的主板支持热插拔，你可以在不关闭电脑的情况下安装；否则，需要关机后再安装。 4. **运行克隆软件**: 启动克隆软件，并按照提示进行操作。通常，你会找到一个选项，如 "克隆"、"迁移" 或 "复制硬盘"。 5. **选择源和目标驱动器**: 从列表中选择你的HDD作为源驱动器，然后选择新安装的NVMe SSD作为目标驱动器。 6. **选择克隆类型**: 根据软件的不同，你可能需要选择是进行“ sector-by-sector”克隆（更完整但可能耗时较长）还是“smart clone”（只复制实际使用的部分，更快）。 7. **开始克隆**: 确认设置无误后，开始克隆过程。这可能需要一段时间，具体取决于源硬盘的大小和速度。 8. **验证克隆**: 克隆完成后，启动软件提供的验证工具，确保新SSD上的数据完整无误。 9. **设置BIOS/UEFI**: 重启电脑，进入BIOS或UEFI设置，将NVMe SSD设置为第一启动设备。 10. **测试新SSD**: 保存设置并重启，电脑应从NVMe SSD启动。检查操作系统是否正常运行，没有问题的话，你可以安全地删除HDD。 请注意，不同软件的具体步骤可能会有所不同，所以请根据你选择的克隆工具的说明进行操作。

Step 1. Connect your NVMe SSD. Step 2. Download a disk cloning tool, install it, and launch the program. Then, select the cloning option. Step 3. After choosing the source disk, designate the NVMe drive as the target disk. Step 4. Click "Start" to begin cloning the SSD to the NVMe.