Author Archives: zxl123

copy files from PC to USB flash drive

USB flash drive is a kind of removable device which uses flash memory as storage medium. It is widely used to usb-flash-drive exchange files among computers due to its great portability, large capacity (we can even find USB flash drive with 1TB capacity) and high security. When copying files from PC to USB flash drive users may meet the situation: it costs a lot of time (half an hour for example) to migrate dozens GB of files. Well then, is there a faster way to complete this kind of migration? In this article we will introduce such a method.

Clone Partition: Fastest Way to Copy Files from PC to USB Flash Drive

To clone a partition to USB flash drive is to copy all information of the partition to USB flash drive, definitely including all files. Compared with the traditional way (copy and paste files), about half of the time will be saved. Additionally, great protections will be given to data even if the cloning process suspends due to accidents like power outage and software failure. More importantly, there is free drive clone software to use, and here we suggest using MiniTool Drive Copy. But before using this program to clone partition to USB flash drive, users should pay attention to the following 2 issues:
1. All data originally saved in the USB flash drive will be overwritten.
2. This program is free for Windows home users only. That is to say it cannot run on Windows server.

How to Transfer Data from PC to USB Flash Drive

First of all, please launch the free drive clone software to get its starting interface shown below:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
Then choose “Partition to Partition” module since we are planning to clone a partition to USB flash drive.
copy-files-from-pc-to-usb-flash-drive-select-the-partition
Next, select the partition which needs copying and click “Next>”. Then, choose the partition on USB flash drive and click “Next>”.

Next, resize partition and click “Finish” to get the window below:

Now users only need to click “Yes” button to confirm operations, and the free drive clone software will clone the partition as well as all data to USB flash drive automatically.

When you have a lot of files to copy from PC to USB flash drive, we think this solution would be useful for you. Actually, MiniTool Drive Copy supports cloning other devices apart from a single partition of hard disk, including the entire hard disk, memory card, memory stick, CF card, and so forth. To clone an intact disk, please see Copy Disk to get more details.

Clone compact flash card to PC

As known to all, Canon is the most widely used digital single-lens reflex camera (also called SLR) all over the world, and compact flash (CF) card is the main storage device for Canon cameras. When we are taking photos with Canon SLR, both CR2 and jpg photos will be produced, and the former is 3 or more times larger than the latter. As a result, CF card especially early bought CF card is easy to run out of space, and users have to transfer photos from compact flash card to PC frequently. Well then, how can they migrate more than 10GB photos in a fast way? The best way is to clone the entire compact flash card to hard disk of PC. But how to make such a clone?

If you have a Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 / 8.1 computer, try using MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition, which is a piece of free drive clone software running on Windows platform. However, if you are running Windows Server Operating System, the server edition is required. And it is very easy to operate the program. Please see the following example to get detailed steps.

How to Clone Compact Flash Card to PC

Most programs require external devices should be connected before running, but you can connect CF card either before or after running MiniTool Partition Wizard, because it will automatically update device information. After launching the free drive clone software successfully, we can see the window below:
minitool-partition-wizard-main-interface
All devices are listed here. Since we are going to clone compact flash card to drive of PC, we need to select the partition of CF card and choose “Copy Partition” feature from the left side.
clone-compact-flash-card-to-pc-mark-a-position-to-save-the-copy
Then, choose an unallocated space on the drive of PC to save the copy of CF card. Tip: if there is no such unallocated space, shrink a large partition or delete a useless partition to release. Then, click “Next>” to get the window below:
clone-compact-flash-card-to-pc-resize-partition
Here we can resize partition by changing the length of the handle, and the remaining space can be used to create new partitions or extend other partition. Then, click “Finish” to go back to the main interface of MiniTool Partition Wizard:

Now we can see the compact flash card has been cloned to hard disk of PC. In addition, the new partition does not have a drive letter so that it will be invisible in Windows Explorer. To make it visible, we need to allocate it with a drive letter by using the function “Change Drive Letter”. However, before clicking the button “Apply”, all changes are just for preview, so please click “Apply” button to make all changes really performed. Note: with a preview effect, we are able to change or discard previous operations without bringing any damage to data.

When you want to migrate all photos to a new CF card or plan to transfer photos to PC, try using the recommended free drive clone software to copy compact flash card directly.

Transfer data to new memory card Android

As we know, smart phone (touchable phone) was firstly introduced by Apple Inc. or we say Steve Jobs, and Android makes great contribution to its development. Therefore, the vast majority of smart phones are running Android rather than iOS. However, internal storage capacity of android phone was limited at the beginning of time so that many users configured their smart phone with memory card so as to increase storage space. However, with the appearance of large capacity files like HD movie and lossless music, old memory card cannot meet actual storage demands any more. Therefore, to replace old card with a new larger one becomes a trend, but many users are troubled by the problem how to transfer data from old memory card to new memory card of Android in a fast way. Aiming at this problem, we will give a solution in this post.

Copying and pasting files directly is not suggested since it will cost much time, and users had better clone the entire memory card to new card of Android, which saves nearly half of the time. In addition, there is freeware to do this operation, but a Windows PC is needed.

MiniTool Drive Copy is a piece of free drive clone software running on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 platform. To clone a memory card which saves 10GB files just cost several minutes. Next, let’s see specific operations.

Transfer Data to New Memory Card of Android with MiniTool Drive Copy

First of all, connect both memory cards with computer. Then, launch the program to get its main interface below:
minitool-drive-copy-main-interface
Here we can see 2 functional modules. If there is only one partition on the memory card, users are suggested choosing “Partition to Partition” module to get the window below:
clone-old-memory-card-to-new-memory-card-select-source-partition
Next, select the partition of old memory card and click “Next>”. Tip: there is always one partition on memory card, because Windows does not allow users to create extra partitions on removable devices. Then, select the partition or unallocated space on the new memory card to save content on old card and click “Next>”. After these operations we can see the following window:
clone-old-memory-card-to-new-memory-card-of-android-resize-partition
Here users need to furthest lengthen the handle so as to make use of all space on the new memory card, and then click “Finish”.

At last, click “Yes” to make all changes applied.
After these operations, we succeeded in transferring data from old memory card to new memory card of Android. If you also want to upgrade your old memory card, try using the free drive clone software MiniTool Drive Copy to clone memory card.

Clone a small partition to larger one

At the beginning of installing Windows, we may partition the hard disk to several partitions with different size, like 10G, 20G, 30G, and 100G. After Windows has been installed, we have chance to change partition size, including extend and shrink, in Disk Management utility or by using partitioning software. Therefore, partitions are always with different capacity. So is it possible to clone a small partition to a larger one so as to create an intact backup? Of course there is, and professional drive clone software can help complete the task.

Why Is It Possible to Copy Small Partition to Larger Partition

In many users’ eyes, the source partition (the partition we want to clone) and the target partition (the partition that will save the copy of source partition) should be with the same size. But actually, cloning partition is much more related to file size rather than partition capacity. As long as the target partition has enough space to save files on source partition, we are able to clone a small partition to larger partition no matter how large or small they are.

Well then, which drive clone software is available to do such an operation? Try using the freeware MiniTool Drive Copy. But note: all data saved in the target partition will be erased, so please backup important ones.

Clone a Small Partition to Larger One with MiniTool Drive Copy

After the freeware has been installed, we need to run it to get the window below:
minitool-drive-copy-main-interface
Here are 2 modules, and we need to choose “Partition to Partition” module since we are going to copy small partition to larger partition rather than clone disk.
clone-a-small-partition-to-larger-one-select-soruce-partition
Then, select the source partition and click “Next>”. After that, select the target partition and click “Next>” to get the window below:

In this step, we are able to edit the size of target partition. If you think this partition is too large, you can shrink it by shortening the handle, and released space can be used to create new partitions or extend other partitions. Then, click “Finish”.

At last, click “Yes” to make all changes made just now applied.

Actually, apart from cloning a small partition to larger one, we can also copy large partition to smaller one, and it is also possible to clone hard disks or removable devices with different size. Just try the drive clone software MiniTool Drive Copy out, which is free for Windows home users.

Clone partitions with different file system

File system, the software system which controls how files are saved and managed in a partition or removable device, is produced when we are creating new partitions, and can be modified via the Format command in both Windows Explorer and Disk Management. We can format it to FAT (namely FAT16), FAT32, and NTFS. When certain partition has saved important files, many people would want to make a copy for this device in case of sudden data loss. Well then, can we clone one partition to another partition with different file systems? Definitely the answer is yes.

Tip: the partition we want to clone is called source partition while the partition that will save the copy of the source partition is called target partition.

How to Clone Partitions with Different File System

There is drive clone software on the internet, which helps copy one partition to another partition no matter they are FAT or NTFS. After we clone a NTFS partition to FAT32, target partition will become FAT32, and vice versa. And there will be no damage to original data. If users do not know which program to choose, try using MiniTool Drive Copy. Next, let’s see specific operations.

Clone Partitions with Different File System in MiniTool Drive Copy

After the drive clone software has been installed on the computer, we need to run it to get its main interface shown below:
minitool-drive-copy-main-interface
Tip: this program is free for Windows home users only. For commercial purpose, please purchase MiniTool Partition Wizard Server Edition.

In the main interface please choose “Partition to Partition” module since it aims at copying a single partition while “Disk to Disk” targets cloning the entire hard disk.
clone-partition-with-different-file-system-select-source-partition
Next, select the partition which needs cloning and click “Next>” button. Then, choose the target partition to save the copy of source partition and click “Next>”. Here we take copying partition J (a FAT32 partition) to partition I (a NTFS partition) for example. After both source partition and target partition are selected, we will get the window below. Note: all data saved on the target partition will be overwritten since this is sector by sector clone.
clone-partition-with-different-file-system-edit-partition
Here we can edit partition size by changing the length of the handle or edit partition location by moving the position of the handle. Then, click “Finish” button.

At last, click “Yes” to confirm all our operations. Once all operations are completed, to clone partitions with different file system is over. And we can check the integrity of the target partition in Disk Management utility.

Now try using the drive clone software MiniTool Drive Copy to clone a partition to another partition whether they are in different file systems or not.

Copy partitions with different cluster size

One cluster, the basic unit Windows uses to save and manage files, is made of several sectors (always 2^n sectors, like 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.). In Windows, it is also called allocation unit size. It is generated when we are creating new partitions, but we can change it with the format command or by using professional software. That is to say different partitions may have different cluster size. At this time some users may ask: is it possible to copy one partition to another partition with different cluster size? The answer is definitely yes, but a piece of drive copy software is needed.

Maybe some users are eager to know whether data integrity can be ensured since source partition and target partition are with different cluster size. Don’t worry about this, because the target partition will be formatted with the same cluster size as source partition after the clone is completed.

Well then, which drive copy software works perfect to copy partitions with different cluster size? Just try MiniTool Drive Copy. The following example will prove what I said.

How to Copy Partitions with Different Cluster Size

To make my test more reliable, I will show cluster size of source partition and target partition at first, and MiniTool Partition Wizard Free (freeware) can do me a favor. After downloading and installing the program successfully, we need to run it to get the starting interface and choose “Launch Application” to get the main window below:
minitool-partition-wizard-main-interface
Here we take copying partition M to partition H for example. To view cluster size of partition H, we need to select it and choose “Show Partition Properties” function from the left pane.
view-cluster-size-of-source-partition
Now we can see there are 8 sectors (4096 bytes) per cluster, which means the cluster size is 4K. Take the same way to view cluster size of the target partition:
view-cluster-size-of-target-partition
Now we can see the cluster size of target partition is 8K. At this time, we need to shut down the program and launch MiniTool Drive Copy to copy partitions which are with different cluster size.
minitool-drive-copy-main-interface
This is the starting window of the drive copy software, and we need to select “Partition to Partition” module to get the window below:
copy-partition-with-different-cluster-size-select-source-partition
Then, select the partition which needs copying and click “Next>”. After that, choose the target partition to save the copy of source partition and click “Next>” to get the following interface:

Here we can change the size and location for target partition, and then click “Finish” button.
copy-partition-with-different-cluster-size-comfirm-operation
At last, click “Yes” to make all operations performed. Once the process is finished, we can check information of target partition in MiniTool Partition Wizard:

Now we can see cluster size of partition H has become 4K rather than original 8K, so we can shut down the program to end operations.

If you also want to copy one partition to another partition but they are with different cluster size, MiniTool Drive Copy may give you a great favor.

Copy small disk to larger disk with resize partition

Nowadays, 1TB, 2TB, 3TB and 6TB hard disks are commonly seen, and some are even up to 10TB (the first 10T hard disk has appeared, and it is manufactured by HGST specially for enterprise users). Mechanical hard disks are much cheaper per gigabyte so that many users are willing to replace the old disk with a larger one by cloning hard disk when the old one is running in low disk space. However, as the new hard disk is always quite larger than old one, most of them hope to copy small disk to larger disk with resizing partitions so as to allocate hard disk space reasonably. To complete this kind of operation, they are suggested to ask third party drive clone software for help. In this post, we will introduce such a program – MiniTool Partition Wizard.

It allows users to copy both data disk and system disk (the disk saving Windows OS), and Windows can boot from the cloned disk successfully. During the process of cloning, users are able to change partition size and location in accordance with their own demands, and it brings no damage to data. Moreover, much time can be saved compared with copying files directly. Next, let’s see how this drive clone software helps copy small disk to larger disk with resizing partitions.

Tip: if you are running Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8, we highly suggest downloading MiniTool Partition Wizard Free since this edition is free to use under those operating systems.

Steps to Copy Small Disk to Larger Disk with Resizing Partition

Step 1: run this program to get the starting window and click “Launch Application” module to enter the following main interface:
minitool-partition-wizard-main-window
Step 2: select the hard disk we want to clone and choose “Copy Disk” feature from the left side.
copy-small-disk-to-larger-disk-select-new-disk
Step 3: select the new disk to save the disk copy and click “Next>”.

Step 4: in this interface as long as users check the option “Edit partitions on this disk”, they are able to copy small disk to larger disk with resizing all partitions by changing the length of the handle. Then, click “Next>” to go on.

Step 5: read the note showing where to boot from the new disk, and then click “Finish” to get the window below.
copy-small-disk-to-larger-disk-apply-change

Step 6: click “Apply” button on the top to perform all changes. Note: the drive clone software will ask users to restart computer when they are cloning the hard disk which saves a loaded OS, which is for system security.

Once all operations are performed, we succeed in copying small disk to larger disk with resizing partitions. For video help, please see Copy Disk. If you also want to upgrade your old disk without reinstalling Windows and other programs, try cloning hard disk by using MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Memory card cloning freeware

There are multiple types of memory card on the market, including Secure Digital card (SD), MiniSD card, Compact Flash card (CF), MultiMediaCard (MMC), and so forth. Since these kinds of storage devices are diminutive, rewritable, stable, and can keep data without power, they are widely used on digital camera, smart phone, tablets, MP3 players, etc. However, after a memory card has been using for a long time, it may get aging gradually, and we had better make a backup for all needed files before the card is inaccessible. Moreover, if the memory card bought 1 or more years ago is often running in low disk space due to its limited capacity or the increase of files, we may plan to purchase a new larger one to replace the current one. At this time, transferring data to new device becomes a key issue. Under these situations, a piece of memory card cloning freeware is needed.

Why Recommend Memory Card Cloning Freeware

Firstly, it can help save much time. If we transfer files via Copy and Paste commands, a lot of time may be cost especially when there are a huge number of files to migrate or backup. However, cloning software can quicken transferring speed and save up to half of the time since it copies the entire memory card rather than clones files one by one.

Secondly, it helps save much money. Since this kind of software is free, users do not need to cost any money. However, not all freeware is suggested, because some may bring damage to data. Here, we suggest MiniTool Partition Wizard Free for non-server Windows users.

At last, no professional knowledge is required, because complex operations will be made by programs.

How to Use Memory Card Cloning Freeware

Firstly, we need to download the freeware from the internet, and then install it on computer according to installation wizards. Next, connect the memory card we want to clone with computer and launch the freeware to get its main interface. Here, we also take MiniTool Partition Wizard Free for example. After running it successfully, we can see the main window below:
minitool-partition-wizard-free-main-interface
Here all devices recognized by Windows OS are listed. Please select the volume or partition of the memory card and click “Copy Partition” to go on operating. Then, mark a place to save the copy of the source memory card, which can be an unallocated space on either hard disk or new memory card. Note: only one partition is allowed to create on memory card in Windows since it is a kind of removable device. That is to say there should be no partition on the new memory card.
At last, confirm operations and the memory card cloning freeware will make all changes automatically.

For detailed steps to copy a memory card by using MiniTool Partition Wizard Free, please see Make a Copy for USB Flash Drive.

Clone USB drive to local hard disk

USB-flash-drive Since USB drive (also called USB flash drive) is small in size, large in capacity, and supports hot-swap, it is widely used to transfer data among computers. However, if the USB drive saves dozens GB of files, how can we transfer all these files to computer in an easy way? The best way is to clone USB drive to local hard disk, which is much faster than transferring files directly. To be specific, copying and pasting 10GB files may cost about half an hour while copying USB drive just costs several minutes. However, to make USB drive clone, users need to download a piece of disk clone software.

Searching on the internet users may find a lot of such programs, but most should be paid. They do not know whether it is worthwhile to purchase a chargeable or whether a freeware is safe enough. If you are troubled by these problems, try using MiniTool Drive Copy. It is free for non-server Windows OS users. If you are a server user, you may need to purchase MiniTool Partition Wizard Server edition. It is chargeable but economical. Moreover, no experience or professional knowledge is required since it is for the public. Next, detailed operations to clone USB drive to local hard disk will be shown.

How to Clone USB Drive to Local Hard Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

After the disk clone software has been installed, please launch it to get the starting interface where 2 functional modules are provided like this:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
Since we just need to copy the USB drive to certain place on local disk rather than the entire disk most of the time, we need to choose “Partition to Partition” module to get the window below:
clone-usb-drive-to-local-hard-disk-select-partition-of-usb-drive
Then, select the partition of USB drive to clone and click “Next>”. After that, choose an existing partition or unallocated space to save the copy of USB drive. Unallocated space is suggested if there is such a space, because all data on the selected existing partition will be lost after the clone is completed, unless users make a backup in advance. And to shrink a partition can get such a space. Then, click “Next>” to go on.
clone-usb-drive-to-local-hard-disk-edit-partition
Next, change the size of the partition which saves the copy of USB flash drive and click “Finish”.

At last, click “Yes” button to start cloning the USB drive to the specified place of the local hard disk.

If you also have lots of files to transfer from USB drive to laptop or PC, clone the entire drive by using free disk clone software to save much time.

GPT disk clone in Windows 7

Due to advantages of using GPT disk, for example a GPT disk supports disks larger than 2TB and supports up to 128 partitions, more and more Windows users initialize their new hard disk to GPT or convert MBR to GPT. However, no matter what style the disk is, it is very necessary to create a copy for hard disk as long as important files are saved, because this is the fastest way to recover lost files. Well then, how to complete GPT disk clone in Windows 7? To save time and costs, we suggest using third party drive clone freeware.

At this time, some users may doubt performance of freeware. Indeed, most free programs have defects, but MiniTool Partition Wizard performs much better in this aspect. It functions well to copy different types of hard disks, partitions, and removable storage devices, and the only limit is that it is free for Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8 and other non-server Windows OS users only. More importantly, GPT disk clone in all supported Windows operating systems can be realized in few steps.

Importance: there must be another hard disk to save content on the source disk, and all data on the second disk will be erased.

Make GPT Disk Clone in Windows 7 with MiniTool Partition Wizard

Before starting computer, we need to connect the second hard disk with computer. Of course, if it is a device with USB interface, we can do the connection after boot. After successful boot, please download and install the drive clone freeware. Then, run it to get the starting interface and choose “Launch Application” module to enter the following window:
minitool-partition-wizard-main-interface
Here, please select the GPT disk which needs cloning and choose “Copy Disk” module from the left pane.

Then, select the second disk to save content on the source disk and click “Next>”. Note: there is no need to care about disk style, because it will be initialized to GPT no matter it is MBR or GPT prior to clone. After that, the following interface will appear:
gpt-disk-clone-in-Windows-7-edit-partition
Here we can edit partition size and location on the second disk. Then, click “Next>” to get a boot note showing how to boot from the second disk. After getting it, please click “Finish” to go back to the main interface:
gpt-disk-clone-in-Windows-7-apply-change
Now MiniTool Partition Wizard shows disk 2 has been cloned to disk 3, so please click “Apply” button to make all changes performed. And this is the end of GPT disk clone in Windows 7.

Furthermore, if the hard disk we want to copy saves Windows OS which is running, the drive clone freeware will ask us to reboot computer, which is to protect system, so please do as told. However, if you just want to clone a single partition instead of the whole disk, please see Copy Partition to get details.