Author Archives: zxl123

Best free hard drive clone software

Question: my old hard disk is too small to hold new data information, so I bought a new one and plan to transfer all data to the new. Someone told me disk clone software can help me do this work and I really found a lot of such programs from the internet. But disappointingly, most of them require money, like Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost. Certainly, I also found some freeware, but they seem so strange to me that I dare not use it. So guys, can you recommend me a best free hard drive clone software? It should be free and powerful enough to protect my data.

 

Answer: here, we recommend using MiniTool Drive Copy. Reasons are as follows:
1. It is a piece of freeware for 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8/8.1 users.
2. It is able to image the whole disk (including system disk) or specially used to clone a specified partition.
3. Friendly interface and detailed prompts make drive clone extremely easy.
4. Data on source drive and target drive can be used normally. For example, if we are cloning the disk which saves Windows to a new disk, our computer can boot either from the old disk or from the new disk, and it depends on our demands.

 

Seeing these reasons most users would regard MiniTool Drive Copy as the best free hard drive clone software. Nevertheless, if there are still some people who are doubtable about this program, please look at the following demo.

 

Clone Hard Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

 

Firstly, launch the best free hard drive clone software to get its starting interface where 2 functional modules are shown clearly:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
Since we are going to clone a hard disk, “Disk to Disk” mode is suggested. Click on this module to get the following interface:
copy-hard-disk-select-source-disk
Here, please select source disk, click “Next>”, choose target disk and click “Next>” successively.

 

Then, choose a copying method and click “Next>”, following a note which shows how to boot from the new disk. After getting it, please click “Finish” to get the interface below:
copy-hard-disk-start-copying
At last, click “Yes” to start cloning disk.

 

If the source disk is being used, MiniTool Drive Copy will ask users to restart computer. It is recommend users close all apps before clicking “Yes”. After the computer reboot successfully, we are successful to clone a disk with best free hard drive clone software, and we believe all of you can do it successfully.

Backup Windows 7 partition

Question: I just installed Windows 7 Ultimate several days ago. I know I would reinstall Windows 7 in some day, so I am planning to backup the Windows 7 partition, which can avoid reinstalling Windows. What kind of tool can help me complete this task well? Freeware is preferred.

 

When it comes to backup utility, most people think of Ghost. It indeed can help clone a disk or partition but requires complex operations, and a wrong operation may bring serious losses. For example, if users plan to make partition to partition clone but they mistakenly choose partition to disk, all other existing partitions on the target disk will be lost except the current one. Moreover, it is not free.

 

However, the free drive copy software MiniTool Drive Copy makes it quite easy and safe to backup Windows 7 partition. The following example will show users reasons for choosing this program.

 

Backup Windows 7 Partition with MiniTool Drive Copy

 

Launch the free backup utility to get its starting interface:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
Here, 2 modules namely “Disk to Disk” and “Partition to Partition” are shown intuitively. Please choose the latter since we are going to clone system partition of Windows 7.
backup-windows-7-partition-select-source-partition
In the interface above all disks and partitions are listed. Select the Windows 7 system partition and click “Next>”.
backup-windows-7-partition-choose-target-space
Then, choose an unallocated space or partition to save the copy of the selected partition and click “Next>”. Tip: by clicking “<Back” users can give up the last change.

 

Then, change partition size or move partition location according to practical demands and click “Finish” icon to get the following interface:
backup-windows-7-partition-confirm-operation
At this time, if users are sure of their operations, click “Yes” to apply all changes, and the free drive copy software will perform changes automatically. However, if they think there is something wrong, they can click “No” to discard all changes, which will not bring any influence on data.

 

Note: to backup Windows 7 partition, users will be asked to restart computer since Windows is being used.

 

When all operations are completed in boot mode, the backup is done, and then users can restore Windows from the backup easily. For more information about cloning Windows, see Windows Backup.

Hard drive copier software

Problem: I partitioned the disk to multiple blocks during the process of clean Windows 7 installation, and then installed a lot of necessary programs such as Kaspersky and photoshop to drive C. For better and faster recuperation, I am planning to image the whole system partition to an external USB hard disk. Is there free but reliable hard drive copier software? If there is, please suggest me one piece.

 

Solution: we can find a lot of drive clone tools from the internet, but it is not easy to download the satisfying one. Well known tools are always quite expensive while programs developed by small companies may have defects. Aiming at this situation, we suggest using MiniTool Drive Copy, a piece of free but powerful hard drive copier software for Windows users. It copies a single partition as well as the whole hard disk in simple operations. More importantly, if we use it to clone a system partition or disk, our computer can boot from the disk saving the copy of Windows without error. Next, let’s take cloning system partition for example.

 

Copy System Partition with MiniTool Drive Copy

 

Firstly, launch the free hard drive copier software to get the main interface where 2 functional modules are shown:
minitool-drive-copy-main-interface
In the main interface we can choose “Disk to Disk” to clone the entire disk or select “Partition to Partition” to image a single partition. Since we are going to clone system partition, “Partition to Partition” module is needed. Click on it to get the following interface:
copy-system-partition-windows-select-system-partition
Here, please select the partition which needs copying and click “Next>”. Then, select an existing partition or unallocated space to save content on source partition and click “Next>”. Note: if users copy source partition to an existing partition, all data saved on the selected existing partition will get lost, so please make a backup in advance.

 

Next, resize partition or change partition location according to actual demands and then click “Finish” button.

 

At last, click “Yes” to start copying.

 

When MiniTool Drive Copy completes all changes in boot mode, we copy system partition successfully. If users are looking for a free but excellent hard drive copier software to clone disk or partition, try this one.

Disk cloning software for Windows XP

Question: I need to clone the disk which contains Windows and a lot of important applications to another disk. Can anyone please recommend me a piece of excellent disk cloning software for Windows XP? Freeware is much preferred. I do not want to copy data one by one, because that is a so huge task. I have used Xcopy but failed.

 

Answer: Xcopy is a command used on DOS, Microsoft Windows, or related operating systems for copying files or directories from one directory to another. It gives a chance to copy one partition to another so that users can clone the whole disk via copying all partitions respectively. Nevertheless, complex commands are required, and average people are easy to make mistakes. From Microsoft users can get some information. But here we suggest using the free disk cloning software MiniTool Drive Copy to image the system disk, which is quite easy to use.

 

Clone Disk for Windows XP with MiniTool Drive Copy

 

To image disk with this free disk cloning software for Windows XP, we need to take the following operations:
1. Run it to get the starting interface:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
2. Click on “Disk to Disk” module for it is specially used to clone the entire disk.
copy-disk-for-windows-xp-select-source-disk
3. Select the source disk we want to clone and click on “Next>”.

 

4. Choose the disk which will save content on source disk and click “Next>”.

 

5. Choose a copying method from 3 and click “Next>”.

 

6. Read the popup note and click “Finish”.
copy-disk-for-windows-xp-start-copying
7. Start copying disk by clicking “Yes”.

 

When MiniTool Drive Copy says all operations are completed, to clone disk for Windows XP with free disk cloning software is finished. Notice: if users copy the disk which is being used, the cloning software will ask them to restart computer. Just reboot computer as told. Moreover, if users want to boot computer from the new disk rather than the original one, set the new disk as the default boot disk in BIOS.

Copy Windows XP system partition on USB HDD

Question: I have a 500GB USB hard disk which saves Windows XP and has been used for more than 3 years, and I want to migrate Windows from old disk to the newly bought 1TB disk (USB). Who can show me a feasible way to copy Windows XP system partition on USB HDD to new disk? Thanks in advance.

 

Answer: turn to the free drive copy software MiniTool Drive Copy. It is able to copy any type of partition (both FAT partition and NTFS partition) on different kinds of disks such as USB disk, IDE disk, and SATA disk. Moreover, it even can copy a hidden partition with ease. Apart from partition, MiniTool Drive Copy supports copying the entire disk, which is quite time-saving when users want to replace or upgrade their old disk. More importantly, the copy will work like the source one as long as users make some settings.

 

Settings we should make after Copying Windows XP system partition on USB HDD to New Disk

If we want to boot computer from the disk which saves the copy of Windows XP system partition, the following 2 settings are requisite:
1. Set the system partition on new disk active in Windows XP Disk Management.
2. Reboot computer and make the new disk as the default boot disk in BIOS.

 

How to Copy Windows XP System Partition on USB HDD

 

Step 1: run free drive copy software MiniTool Drive Copy to get the main interface:

minitool-drive-copy-main-interface

Step 2: select “Partition to Partition” module to copy a single partition.

 

copy-windows-xp-system-partition-on-usb-hdd-select-system-partition

Step 3: choose the Windows XP system partition and click “Next>”.

 

Step 4: select an unallocated space or partition on the new disk to save content on source partition and click “Next>”.

 

copy-windows-xp-system-partition-on-usb-hdd-move-resize-partition

Step 5: resize partition or change partition location according to actual demands and click “Finish”.

 

copy-windows-xp-system-partition-on-usb-hdd-start-copying

Step 6: click “Yes” to start copying.

 

When free drive copy software completes all operations in boot mode, the computer will reboot from the default boot disk. After successful reboot, please make settings mentioned above respectively. Now, we successfully copy Windows XP system partition on USB HDD to a new disk, and the computer will boot from the new drive automatically. For more information about copying system partition, please see system copy.

Clone windows 7 to SSD without reinstall

Question: since installing OS on a solid state disk can quicken computer running speed and data read-write speed, I’m now planning to clone Windows 7 to my newly bought SSD without reinstalling system. How can I complete this operation? By the way, I also want to know how to get rid of dual boot screen since there will be 2 pieces of Windows 7 after successful copy.

 

Answer: To clone Windows, users just need to image the partition saving Windows. That is to say users can copy system partition of Windows 7 to realize system migration. Nowadays, free drive copy software can help complete this operation with ease, and users can try using MiniTool Drive Copy.

 

How to Clone Windows 7 to SSD without Reinstalling System

 

Firstly, run MiniTool Drive Copy to get the starting interface shown below:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
Then, choose “Partition to Partition” module to clone system partition of Windows 7.

 

clone-windows-7-to-ssd-select-system-partition

 

Next, select the system partition we want to clone and click “Next>”.

 

clone-windows-7-to-ssd-choose-unallocated-space

 

In the interface above, choose an unallocated space or partition on SSD to save content on the selected system partition and click “Next>”. Note: if users choose a partition to save content, all data on this partition will be lost.

 

clone-windows-7-to-ssd-change-partition-size-location

 

Then, change the size or location of the partition that will save content of Windows 7 system partition and click “Finish”.

 

clone-windows-7-to-ssd-start-cloning

 

At last, click “Yes” to start cloning. Note: since we are cloning the partition that saves Windows 7 to SSD, system will ask us to reboot computer (Windows 7 is being used). Just click “Restart Now” and MiniTool Drive Copy will automatically perform the clone in boot mode. When computer reboots normally, it seems that to clone Windows 7 to SSD without reinstallation is done.

 

Nevertheless, the computer just reboots from the HDD without giving dual boot screen though there have been 2 system partitions. That is because we haven’t set the second system partition active. Please set it active in Disk Management, then enter BIOS setting during reboot, and finally set the SSD as the default boot disk.

 

After these operations, we can say we are successful to clone Windows 7 to SSD without reinstalling system. Nevertheless, there is another problem users should notice. Partition alignment is a quite significant issue for SSD. If partitions on SSD are not aligned, there may be no difference between HDD and SSD or even worse. Therefore, it is quite necessary to align the partition saving the copy of Windows 7 especially after cloning partition. See how to align partition.

Copy GUID partition table

Question: multiple partitions are on my GPT disk, and all of them save useful files. For faster partition recovery, I’m now planning to copy all GUID partition tables since somebody told me recovering partition table can restore lost partitions. Is there a good idea?

 

Answer: to backup partition table is indeed an effective way to deal with partition table damage situations (boot virus attack, mistaken operation, wrong ghost, and so on may result in partition table damage), but operations are extremely complex, and even a slight mistake may bring terrible losses. Actually, there is no need to copy GUID partition table, and copying the whole GPT disk is a much better solution, but another disk which can hold all content on source disk is required.

 

Currently, some free drive copy software can help complete disk copy in easy operations, including MiniTool Drive Copy which offers graphical user interface. Next, let’s see how it clones the entire disk instead of copying GUID partition tables.

 

How to Copy GPT Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

 

1. Hook another disk to computer and launch the free drive copy software to get the interface below:
minitool-drive-copy-main-interface
2. Choose the module “Disk to Disk” to clone disk.
copy-gpt-disk-select-source-disk
3. Select the source disk and click on “Next>”.
copy-gpt-disk-choose-target-disk
4. Choose the target disk (the disk that will save content on source disk) and click on “Next>”.
copy-gpt-disk-choose-a-copy-method
5. Choose a copying method and click “Next>”.

 

After step 5, users will get a note which shows how to boot from the target disk. Ignore it unless you are planning to boot computer from the target disk. Then, click “Finish” to get the following window:
copy-gpt-disk-start-copying
6. Click “Yes” to start copying GPT disk and then wait until the whole copy is completed.

 

After disk clone, users can recover lost partition without copying GUID partition tables. Note: if the source disk stores Windows which is running, users will need to reboot computer and then the free drive copy software MiniTool Drive Copy will perform changes automatically in boot mode.

 

Nevertheless, MiniTool Drive Copy can not be compatible with Windows Server. For server disk copy support, see Copy GPT Disk.

How to copy UEFI boot disk

Problem: I’m installing Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit SP1, which is with UEFI boot, and I want to copy the whole boot disk to another disk in case of system or software crash. However, searching on the internet I found many users have encountered UEFI boot disk copy failure. To be specific, Computer can not boot from the disk saving the copy of Windows. Who can tell me how to copy UEFI boot disk with successful boot?

 

Solution: Indeed, there are a lot of drive copy programs that will result in boot failure, but MiniTool Drive Copy is an exception. So far, thousands of users have used it to clone UEFI boot disk or system partition and succeeded. It is very easy to use this software for it only requires simple operations and provides detailed prompts. Next, we will show users specific steps.

 

How to Copy UEFI Boot Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

 

Step 1: launch the drive copy program to get the starting interface:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
Step 2: choose “Disk to Disk” module since it aims at cloning disk while “Partition to Partition” just images a single partition.
how-to-copy-uefi-boot-disk-select-source-disk
Step 3: select the boot disk and click on “Next>”.

 

Step 4: choose the second disk to hold content on the source disk and click on “Next>”.

 

Step 5: Choose a copying method from three and click “Next>”.

 

After step 5, we can get the following wizard which tells how to boot from the second disk:
how-to-copy-uefi-boot-disk-boot-note
Step 6: if users want to boot computer from the disk saving the copy of Windows, just set it as the default boot disk in BIOS. If not, please ignore the note and click “Finish”.

 

Step 7: click “Yes” to start copying and wait for the completion in boot mode.

 

After all operations are completed in boot mode, the computer will reboot normally. At this time, we can say the problem how to copy UEFI boot disk has been solved by recommended drive copy program. You can have a try.

 

Note: MiniTool Drive Copy can only be compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. For server support, users need a server partition manager.

Copy system partition Windows 7

Question: there are 2 disks on my Windows 7 desktop, namely 250GB disk 0 and 1TB disk 1. Now, I want to copy system partition of Windows 7 to disk 1 so as to boot from the larger disk. Who can give me a wonderful solution?

 

Answer: free drive copy software can help complete this operation, and you can try using MiniTool Drive Copy, which is free for Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8 users. With data protecting solutions provided, it helps copy system partition of Windows 7 in a quite safe way. After the copy is completed and computer starts successfully, users need to set the partition saving the copy of Windows active in Disk Management, and then make disk 1 as the default boot disk in BIOS setting.

 

As a matter of fact, the free drive copy software also supports imaging the whole disk in addition to copying a single partition. All partitions and data will be cloned to the target disk according to users’ demands.

 

How to Copy System Partition of Windows 7 with MiniTool Drive Copy

 

1. Run MiniTool Drive Copy to get its main interface:
minitool-drive-copy-main-interface
2. Choose “Partition to Partition” module to copy a single partition since “Disk to Disk” is for disk clone.

 

3. Select the system partition and click “Next>”. Then, select a partition or unallocated space on target disk to save content of the system partition and click “Next>”.
copy-system-partition-of-windows-7-move-resize-partition
4. Change partition size by dragging triangles on edges of the handle and change partition location via dragging the whole handle. Then, click “Finish” to perform operations.

 

5. Click “Yes” to start copying system partition of Windows 7.

 

Note: both cloning system disk and imaging system partition will ask users to reboot computer for the current system drive is being used, which is normal and will not bring any damage to data and partition.

 

In fact, the free drive copy software MiniTool Drive Copy comes from MiniTool Partition Wizard, but the latter is much more powerful. View free partition manager to get more information about Partition Wizard.

Disk backup tool

Question: being used for more than 5 years, my HP laptop is now running extremely slow, so I plan to replace it with a new. Nevertheless, it is saving all valuable data information collected during these years, such as materials, articles, and game records, so I want to copy all its data to my external HDD so that I can use them in new computer. My question is what disk backup tool you guys use to copy a disk since I am unwilling to transfer data one by one.

 

Answer: here, we recommend the freeware MiniTool Drive Copy though lots of results will be loaded after users search disk clone tool on Google or professional downloading websites. There are 4 reasons. Firstly, it is free to use. Secondly, it is able to copy the entire disk to a new disk. Thirdly, original data will be protected. At last, even a novice can master the tool with ease since no professional knowledge is needed and specific prompts are given.

 

Actually, apart from copying a disk, this free disk backup tool is able to clone a single partition, which can avoid copying multiple partitions, and users can choose the most suitable function according to actual demands. Next, we will show users how to image a disk with MiniTool Drive Copy.

 

How to Backup Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

 

Step 1: launch the tool to get its starting interface and choose “Disk to Disk” module:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
Step 2: select the original disk which will be cloned and click “Next>”.

 

Step 3: choose the destination disk where disk copy will be created and click “Next>”.

 

Step 4: select a copying method from 3 options and click “Next>”.
copy-a-disk-choose--copying-method
Step 5: read the given Note and click “Finish” button.

 

Step 6: click “Yes” to start copying a disk. Tip: cloning system disk will make the computer reboot, and users only need to do as told. When MiniTool Drive Copy completes disk copy in boot mode, the computer will restart normally.
copy-a-disk-start-copying
Now, users would know how to copy a disk with free disk backup tool MiniTool Drive Copy. Just have a try when it is necessary.