Why Clone Hard Drive to SSD | How to Clone HDD to SSD in Windows 10

Linda Updated on September 14, 2021 to Disk/Partition Clone | How-to Guides

"I'm planning to upgrade my computer's HDD to an SSD... I bought a Kingston SSD for my laptop and now want to replace the current hard drive. I don't have any software installed, and it seems there's no software included with the purchased SSD. What's my best option..."

If you search “clone HDD to SSD” on Windows 10, you will find lots of video tutorials and lengthy articles on how to clone a hard drive. But is it safe? Is cloning HDD to SSD worth it? What is your best option? If these questions bother you, you come to the right place. Let's first check out the reasons for cloning a hard drive to an SSD, and then see how to clone a hard drive.

Main content:

#1 Why Clone Hard Drive to SSD in Windows 10?
#2 Prepare the Right Tools Before You Start
#3 Download Disk Cloning Software - Disk Copy Utility
#4 How to Clone Hard Drive to SSD in Windows 10?
#5 Frequently Asked Questions About Cloning Hard Drive to SSD

Why Clone Hard Drive to SSD in Windows 10?

Here are some common reasons why users might do this:

1. Upgrade HDD to SSD

Currently, when it comes to choosing between a Solid State Drive (SSD) and a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), more users tend to opt for SSDs. Despite their higher cost and limited lifespan, SSDs offer faster speeds and are less prone to damage. If you frequently use your computer for high-performance tasks like gaming or video editing, an SSD would be a wise choice.

Please read:

Replace a faulty or damaged HDD (hard disk drive)

Why is my HDD so slow all of a sudden? Why isn't my HDD working? Why doesn't my computer recognize my HDD? Why is my HDD full? Why is my SSD making noise? I often searched for the answers to these questions on Google when I used an HDD. Later, I realized that these were all drawbacks of this type of hard drive. Compared with SSDs, HDDs are cheaper and have larger capacities. However, they are slower and noisier.

That's one reason, among others, that I clone my hard drive to an SSD, and you should, too.

Get the right tools before you start.

A screwdriver.

For a desktop computer, you'll need a crosshead screwdriver. For a laptop, you'll need three sizes of crosshead screwdrivers: #1, #0, and #00.

2. A new solid-state drive.

Make sure that the new SSD is large enough to hold everything on your old drive.

3. A USB 3.0 or SATA adapter for a 2.5-inch hard drive.

4. Download a third-party disk cloning program on your computer.

Download a disk cloning software - Disk Copy Utility

When choosing a reliable disk cloning tool, we focus on security and speed. A good disk copy software can make an exact copy of your hard drive without losing any data. You can use it to upgrade your hard drive to a larger one without reinstalling Windows. It is compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, exploring disk mode and partition mode to ensure a 100% clone.

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How to Clone Your Hard Drive to an SSD in Windows 10

1 - Connect the SSD to your computer

Connect the hard drive to your computer using a SATA hard drive adapter or a USB 3.0 cable.

2 - Initialize the SSD via Disk Management

1. Launch Disk Management. 2. Right-click the source disk and select "Properties" > check the Partition Style. 3. Right-click the SSD and choose "Initialize Disk."

"Use the tool 'Disk Clone'"

Note: Make sure you enable the disk cloning utility for a smooth disk copy or cloning process.

Step 1: Download, install, and launch the Disk Copy utility on your computer.
Click on the Disk Mode, select the source disk that you want to copy or clone, and then click Next to proceed.

Note: If you want to copy or clone the source disk sector by sector, the target disk should be the same size as or larger than the source disk.

Step 2: Select the target disk to which you want to clone/copy the old one, then click "Next" to proceed.
If asked to wipe out data on the target disk, click "OK" to confirm.

Step 3. Verify and edit the disk layout, selecting either "Autofit to disk size", "Copy as much as possible", or "Edit disk layout". It is recommended to select "Autofit to disk size".

The "Copy source" option copies the partition layout of the source disk to the target disk.
The Edit disk layout option allows you to manually adjust or move the partition layout on the target disk.

If your target disk is an SSD, check the box next to “Target drive is SSD.”

Click Continue to start the disk clone or disk copy process immediately.

4 - Boot from the cloned drive

1. Shut down your computer, then open the case using a screwdriver.
2. Connect the cloned SSD to your computer with a power cable and SATA cable.
3. Boot up your computer and press F2 or Delete to enter BIOS.
4. Navigate to the "Boot" tab, scroll down, and check the "Boot Priority" to set your computer to boot from the cloned SSD.
5. Save all changes and restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cloning Your Hard Drive to an SSD

1. Is cloning a hard drive safe?

Yes, as long as your disk cloning software can make an exact replica of the source disk. You can use professional disk cloning tools to transfer everything with the Windows system.

2. How long does it take to clone a hard drive?

This will depend on the size of your disk and the cloning speed, but for a 500GB hard drive, it could take a few hours.

Refer to an article on how to easily and quickly clone a hard drive.