How to clone HDD to SSD in Windows 10

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With new options on the market, the days of using only a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for PC storage are long gone. A Solid State Disk (SSD) is one of those possibilities, and it’s incredibly fast compared to conventional HDDs while still being incredibly small.

But, you will need to transfer the data if you plan to swap out your old HDD for a beautiful new SSD. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how to clone an HDD to an SSD and also give you a little background information on the subject so you can be as informed as possible when handling your valuable files. If you simply want to transfer everything over, this is a process known as cloning.

With new options on the market, the days of using only a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for PC storage are long gone. A Solid State Disk (SSD) is one of those possibilities, and it’s incredibly fast compared to conventional HDDs while still being incredibly small.

But, you will need to transfer the data if you plan to swap out your old HDD for a beautiful new SSD. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how to clone an HDD to an SSD and also give you a little background information on the subject so you can be as informed as possible when handling your valuable files. If you simply want to transfer everything over, this is a process known as cloning.

Why use an SSD over an HDD?

As was already noted, taking advantage of those speed advantages is one of the main reasons you’ll want to go from an HDD to an SSD. Even the most entry-level SSDs are up to five times faster than their conventional HDD counterparts, which means that not only will your data transfer more quickly if you choose to use it as your primary drive for booting your operating system, but your PC will also start up much faster than in the past.

Also, if you enjoy playing video games, an SSD may completely transform your experience thanks to significantly quicker load times and improved overall speed. But the advantages go further than that. Switching from the traditional HDD to an SSD is practically a no-brainer because it is more dependable, smaller, and uses less power.

The fact that you get less value for your money when choosing an SSD over an HDD is the only major drawback. Indeed, the cost of SSDs has significantly decreased; you can now buy a 128GB model for under $30, but if you want something larger than that, like a 1TB or 2TB option, you’ll have to pay much more than you would for an HDD.

Why clone an HDD to SSD?

Hence, if you have decided to go from an HDD to an SSD, you will need to transfer those contents. The ideal way to use is cloning if all you want to do is make a copy of your HDD and then format it. Making a carbon copy of everything on your present hard disc eliminates the need to manually select the files you wish to replicate.

This is quite helpful if you wish to copy and format your HDD or, as was already mentioned, entirely get rid of your HDD. Additionally, if your PC’s operating system is currently stored on an HDD, you can also use cloning to transfer that OS to an SSD so that it may serve as your boot drive, accelerating the startup of your entire computer.

With software effectively performing all the work for you, cloning is actually a surprisingly simple operation. All you need to do is connect the two discs and hit a few keys. Next, we’ll discuss the software you need and all the processes you must follow.

What do you need to clone an HDD to an SSD?

You’re almost ready to copy your HDD to your SSD, but what are the actual requirements? Of course, you’ll need at least one HDD and one SSD, but it’s more crucial that your SSD has enough space for a clone. To effectively transfer the data from a complete 1TB HDD, you’ll need an SSD with an equivalent amount of storage.

You do need to be careful, but, as with all storage, you won’t get the exact amount that is stated on the packaging. As a result, we advise choosing a larger storage option, such as a 250GB SSD, if you’re cloning data from a 128GB HDD, for example.

You’ll need cloning software to begin the procedure after your gear is set up. You can clone your HDD to SSD in only a few clicks using either AOMEI Backupper Standard or MiniTool Partition Wizard, which we think to be the most dependable and user-friendly.

That’s all there is to it; you are now ready. Next, we’ll go over the specific procedures for copying an HDD to an SSD.

How to clone a HDD to SSD

Make sure your SSD is attached to your PC, whether it’s using a USB to SATA converter or whether it’s in a second drive bay, before you start the actual disc cloning process. Once it has been linked successfully, you should be able to see the drive and letter in your Windows Explorer.

Making a backup of your current files is also advised, just in case there is any corruption during the cloning process. Let’s go to the software now that that is out of the way.

Step

1

Software Preparation

  1. Download and install your chosen cloning software. We ll be using AOMEI Backupper Standard (steps may differ from software to software).
  2. Open your disk clone software.
  3. Head to the Clone tab on the left side and then the Disk Clone option.
  4. At this point, you can choose whether you want to clone your operating system as well as all the data or simply just your files. Select your desired option.

Step

2

Select Source Disk

  • Choose your desired HDD as the source disk you want to clone. Once selected, hit Next.

Step

3

Select Destination Disk

  • Choose your desired SSD as the destination disk. Once selected, hit Next.

Step

4

Start the cloning process

  • Now, tick the SSD alignment option to ensure a smoother process and press start clone to clone HDD to SSD.
  • Wait for the process to finish. If done successfully, you should now have cloned your HDD to your SSD.

And that’s all there is to it; your PC setup can now enjoy the advantages of a brand-new cloned SSD! We hope that you had no trouble following these instructions and that you were able to complete the task. If you have any additional questions, please leave a comment below, and we’ll try our best to respond.

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