Beginner's Guide - How to Replace HDD with SSD on Windows 11

Updated by Linda on Oct 18, 2021 to Disk/Partition Clone | How-to Guides

HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive, while SSD stands for Solid State Drive. Both are common types of storage drives. In previous years, most newly manufactured computers came with HDDs, mainly because they were cheaper and offered more storage space. Nowadays, many computer manufacturers are equipping their machines with SSDs, not only due to their superior performance but also because their prices have become more affordable compared to the past. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for users to upgrade their old HDDs to better SSDs.

Can I replace my HDD with an SSD without reinstalling the operating system?

One major concern that users might have is how to transfer data from the old HDD to the new SSD. If you simply connect the new SSD to your computer, you will need to reinstall the Windows system and set up your computer again. So, is there any way to avoid reinstalling the operating system? Yes! You can clone HDD to SSD so that when you place the new SSD in your computer, it boots up normally. To clone a hard drive, you need to apply a third-party cloning tool because Windows does not have a built-in cloning feature. The software we recommend here is Disk Copy Home Edition.

"Windows 11 Disk Cloning Tool"

AOMEI Backupper is a proprietary disk cloning software that is fully compatible with all Windows operating systems. It is a tool that facilitates users to upgrade their HDD to a larger capacity HDD or a more advanced SSD without losing data. It works with all brands of hard drives and supports cross-brand disk cloning. You don't need to be an expert in disk cloning or hard drives to use this software. With just a few simple clicks, it can assist you in transferring the Windows OS to an HDD/SSD or even cloning a drive with bad sectors.

How to Replace an HDD with an SSD on Windows 11

First, download the tool Disk Copy, and then follow this detailed guide on how to clone a hard drive on Windows 11. You should note that Windows 11 requires a GPT partition style. Make sure to initialize your new SSD as GPT first or convert the SSD from MBR to GPT beforehand.

Step 1: Under 'Disk Mode,' select the HDD you want to clone.

Step 2: Select the SSD as the destination disk.

If there's no important data on the target disk, the warning message will inform you that the data on the SSD will be erased. Click “OK” to proceed.

Step 3: Edit the disk layout if needed, and click “Continue” to proceed.

Since the target is an SSD, it's recommended to check “Enable if target is SSD.”

Step 4: Wait for the process to complete.

How to Boot Windows 11 from a New SSD

Once the cloning is finished, unplug the old HDD and screw in the SSD. Boot up your computer, and it should automatically start from the new SSD. If you want to keep your old HDD, you'll need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings. Restart your computer and hit F2/F10/DEL to enter the BIOS. In the Boot Options, select your new SSD as the Boot Drive, then exit and restart your computer.

Bottom line

Disk cloning is the easiest and safest way to replace an old HDD with a new SSD, since it doesn't involve losing any data or having to reinstall your operating system. Additionally, if you have an external hard drive, disk cloning can also serve as a method of backing up your entire system in case your computer becomes unbootable due to a system crash.