Author Archives: zxl123

Free hard drive cloner

Problem: every time I am running Windows 7, some strange noise comes from hard disk, and I guess there must be bad sectors since the current disk has been running nearly for 4 years. Nevertheless, a great number of files have been stored on it, and I want to clone all of them, including Windows 7, to the newly bought 1TB hard drive. Is there free hard drive cloner available? All cloning tools I found are chargeable.

Solution: MiniTool Drive Copy which is developed by MiniTool Solution Ltd. is absolutely free for Windows 7 users and other common Windows users. It is able to clone the entire hard drive to a new drive as well as image a single partition to another partition or unallocated space in simple operations. Moreover, if the free hard drive cloner is used to backup system disk or system partition, users will not need to reinstall operating system. In addition, though it is a piece of freeware, data security can be well ensured even if power failure emerges on desktop during the process of cloning disk, because it is designed with power-off protection.

Copy Hard Drive with MiniTool Drive Copy

To use this free hard drive cloner, please download and install it at first. After successful installation, launch it to get the starting interface shown below:
free-hard-drive-cloner-starting-interface

Now we can see 2 functional modules are shown on the starting interface, including “Disk to Disk” and “Partition to Partition”. To copy a hard drive, we need to choose “Disk to Disk” since “Partition to Partition” is just for single partition clone. Please choose the needed module to get the following interface:
copy-hard-drive-select-source-disk
In this interface all disks will be listed vertically while partitions horizontally, and we can see 2 disks on demo computer. Select the source disk which will be cloned and click “Next>”. Then, choose the target disk which will save content on source disk and click “Next>”. After that, choose a copying method from three and click “Next>” to get a note which shows users how to boot from the target hard drive. Just read the note carefully and click “Finish” button to get the following window:
copy-hard-drive-start-copying
Here, as long as users are sure to copy the entire hard drive, please click “Yes” to start copying. Note: copying system disk will require users to restart computer for it is being used, and the free hard drive cloner will perform all operations automatically in boot mode. After all operations are completed, the computer will reboot normally. This is the whole process of cloning disk.

When users need to clone a disk or partition, use the free hard drive cloner MiniTool Drive Copy. It will not disappoint you, I believe.

Diskpart to copy NTFS partition in XP Pro

Question: I just want to clone the partition storing Windows to another partition for future system recovery. That is a NTFS partition. Can I copy NTFS partition with Diskpart in Windows XP Pro? If I can, please show me detailed steps. Much appreciated.

Answer: I’m sorry to tell you Diskpart does not provide a feature to copy partition but offers command to copy appointed files. To complete this task, you may need the help of third party drive copy software.

Searching on the internet, users can find a lot of programs which can finish disk or partition clone, but most are chargeable or even quite expensive. Here, we suggest using MiniTool Drive Copy, which is free for Windows XP users, Vista users, Windows 7 users, and Windows 8 users. Though it is a piece of freeware, drive copy competence is much robust.

2 functional modules are provided by this drive copy software, namely “Disk to Disk” copy and “Partition to Partition” copy. The latter can help copy NTFS partition in Windows XP Pro. Next, we will show users how to complete partition copy.

Copy NTFS Partition in Windows XP Pro with MiniTool Drive Copy

1. Launch the drive copy software to get its main window shown below:
minitool-drive-copy-main-window
2. Choose the module “Partition to Partition” to clone a single partition.
copy-ntfs-partition-in-xp-pro-select-source-partition
3. Select the partition which needs copying and click “Next>”.

4. Select an unallocated space or partition to create the copy of the source partition and click “Next>”. Note: content on the target partition will be overwritten.
copy-ntfs-partition-in-xp-pro-move-resize-partition
Here, a preview effect is provided, and we can change partition size or location. Then, click “Finish” button to perform operations.

At last, click “Yes” to start copying NTFS partition in Windows XP Pro. Note: since system partition is being used, we will be asked to restart computer. Just do as told. After all operations are performed, the computer will boot automatically, and then we can open “My Computer” to view the Copy.

At this time, even if the whole operating system crashes in one day, we can restore it from the copy quickly, and there is no need to reinstall Windows. Download the drive copy software to copy partition or disk in case of accidents.

Disk image clone tool

Question: I just bought a HP laptop last month, which is running Windows 8. All necessary programs have been installed, and lots of significant files have been stored. Now, I want to clone the whole disk, which can help me restore Windows and needed programs quickly from the image when programs on source disk crash. Who can recommend me a free but professional disk clone tool? Thanks in advance.

Answer: for easy and safe disk cloning, you can try using MiniTool Drive Copy. Though it is a free disk image tool, robust competence is not inferior to that of chargeable programs. It provides users with 2 modules to create image, namely Disk to Disk for disk image and Partition to Partition for partition image. Operating systems and programs copied to the target disk or partition can be used normally. Next, let’s use this disk clone tool to image a disk.

How to Clone a Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

1. Launch the free tool to get its starting interface:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
2. Choose “Disk to Disk” module from the starting interface since it is used to clone an entire disk.
clone-a-disk-select-source-disk
2. Choose the source disk and click “Next>” at first, and then select the target disk and click “Next>”. Source disk means the disk which will be cloned while target disk refers to the disk that will save content on source disk.
clone-a-disk-choose-copy-method
3. Choose a copying method from 3 options and click “Next>”.

After step 3, a window will pop up to show users how to boot from the target disk. If users do not plan to boot from the target disk, ignore this note and click “Finish” to get the following interface:
clone-a-disk-start-copying
4. Click “Yes” to start copying disk at once. Note: if the source disk is system disk, users will be asked to restart computer. Just restart it, and then the free disk clone tool MiniTool Drive Copy will perform disk clone in boot mode. After the computer reboots automatically, users can check the disk image from Windows Disk Management.

If you also need to clone a disk or just want to clone a single partition, resort to the recommended disk image tool. For detailed steps to clone a partition, see Free Copy Partition.

Backup clone free tool

Hi guys,
I’m planning to lend my old laptop which is running Windows 7 to my younger sister, and all necessary programs have been installed. My question is what free backup tool you guys often use to clone the OS and all installed programs. I ask this question because I know in the near future I will get laptop back, and she will absolutely muck it up. I have searched the net and found many different tools which can complete this task, but I really do not know which one to choose. Is there any good idea?

Free Backup Tool Recommend

Indeed, a lot of cloning programs can be found from the internet, but most are not applicable. Some are quite expensive and some have functional defects. Here, the free clone tool MiniTool Drive Copy is recommended. It is able to clone a single partition as well as image the whole disk without bringing any damage to data. Moreover, if users use it to clone a system partition or system disk, there will be no need to reinstall Windows, because the Windows copy can boot and be used normally. Next, we will show users how to backup system disk with the recommended program.

Clone Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

Step 1: launch the free backup tool to get the window below:
minitool-drive-copy-main-window
Step 2: choose the module “Disk to Disk” to clone a system disk since “Partition to Partition” only backups a single partition.
clone-disk-select-source-disk
Step 3: select the disk which will be cloned and click “Next>”.

Step 4: choose the disk that will save content on source disk and click “Next>”.

Step 5: choose a copying method and click “Next>” to get a note.

Step 6: read the note carefully which will show users how to boot from the target disk, and then click “Finish”.

Step 7: click “Yes” to start copying disk.

Now, free clone tool MiniTool Drive Copy cloned system disk successfully. For detailed steps to clone system partition, see Backup System Free. Nevertheless, the very free backup tool can not be used on Windows server since it is specially developed for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. To clone disk or partition on server, please purchase MiniTool Partition Wizard Server Edition.

Cloning windows 7 to SSD

Problem: Recently I bought a Samsung SSD 830 256GB and want it to be my system disk. Being unwilling to reinstall system, I want to clone the Windows 7 drive to SSD. I plan to download free drive clone software to perform this operation, but someone told me free programs may lead to data loss. Is that true and who can give me a good suggestion?

Solution: most free programs indeed can not ensure data security, but MiniTool Drive Copy is an exception, and it has been proved safe by hundreds of Windows users. Even if power outage appears suddenly, the very free drive clone software will not bring any damage to original data. Moreover, apart from cloning partition, it is able to clone the whole disk, which can avoid installing all installed programs and data. Note: after drive clone is completed, all data on the target drive will be overwritten. Therefore, if there is important data on it, please transfer them in advance.

Clone Windows 7 Drive to SSD with MiniTool Drive Copy

Firstly, download it from the downloading page, and then install it on Windows 7 in accordance with the given wizards. After successful installation, launch it to get the following starting interface:
minitool-drive-copy-starting-interface
2 functional modules are displayed on the interface above, namely:
“Disk to Disk”: specially designed to clone the whole disk.
“Partition to Partition”: clone a single partition.

Since we need to clone Windows 7 drive to SSD, “Partition to Partition” module is suggested. Choose this module to get the following window:
cloning-windows-7-to-ssd-select-source-partition
Now, select the partition saving Windows 7 and click “Next>”. Then, select an unallocated space on SSD to save the copy and click “Next>” to get the window below:
cloning-windows-7-to-ssd-move-resize-partition
At this time, drag triangle on sides of partition handle to resize the clone partition and drag the whole handle to change its position. Then, click “Finish” to get this:
cloning-windows-7-to-ssd-start-cloning
After confirming the clone, please click “Yes” to start cloning Windows 7 drive to SSD. Note: MiniTool Drive Copy will require users to restart system since system drive is being used. Just do as told, and the free drive clone software will perform all operations automatically.

If you also want to replace old disk without reinstalling Windows, clone the system drive right now.

Free disk cloner Windows 7

Question: I have a 250GB disk which installs Windows 7. Now, the whole disk does not have much space to use since it has been used for more than 3 years. I bought a 1TB new disk last week and plan to replace the old with it, so a free disk cloner which can be compatible with Windows 7 is needed. By the way, I don’t want to reinstall operating system, which is so troublesome and time-wasting. Would you mind recommending such a cloning program to help me clone the system disk?

Answer: considering all these demands, we suggest using MiniTool Drive Copy. Firstly, it is free for Windows 7 users or other Windows PC users. Secondly, it is able to clone the whole system disk to the new. That is to say users can upgrade old disk without reinstalling Windows. Thirdly, no professional knowledge is required, and detailed prompts will be given in every interface. At last, the free Windows 7 disk cloner is safe enough so that data security can be ensured even if accidents like power outage appear suddenly.

Clone System Disk with Disk Cloner in Windows 7

Note: if users plan to clone a disk to the drive that is saving data, please backup all useful files on target disk in advance, because these data may be overwritten.

After software installation, run it to get the main window:
free-disk-clonder-main-window
In the interface above, please select the module “Disk to Disk”, which is specially designed to clone a disk (“Partition to Partition” is for partition clone). Then, the following interface will appear:
free-disk-cloner-windows-7-select-source-disk
Here, choose the disk which needs cloning and click “Next>”. Then, select the target disk (the disk that will store content on source disk) and click “Next>”. After that, choose a copying method from the 3 to get the window below:
free-disk-cloner-windows-7-note
Here, users will be taught how to boot from the target disk. After getting a basic ideal, please click “Finish” button to get the following window:
free-disk-cloner-windows-7-confirm-operation
Now, please click “Yes” to start copying disk and wait until the process is completed. Note: users will be required to restart operating system since system disk is being used. Just do as told.

After these operations, to clone system disk in Windows 7 is finished by using the free disk cloner MiniTool Drive Copy. If users also want to replace or upgrade old disk without reinstalling operating system, try this method.

Free hard drive cloning software

Question: there is something wrong with my old hard disk, and I guess it is most likely to be physically damaged but still can be recognized by system. So I bought a new disk and plan to replace the old one with the new. Now, the issue troubling me is that I can not find a free hard drive cloning software to copy all data on old disk to new disk. I wanted to use Norton Ghost, but it will cost me $70. Is there any better idea?

Answer: indeed, most cloning software on the internet is chargeable and some is even quite expensive. In addition, even if users find a free disk image tool, data security can not be ensured. Considering this situation, now we recommend using MiniTool Drive Copy to clone a disk, which is a piece of quite excellent free hard drive cloning software.

Why Use MiniTool Drive Copy

Firstly, it is absolutely free for Windows XP users, Windows Vista users, Windows 7 users, and Windows 8 users. Secondly, disk clone can be completed in extremely easy operations. Thirdly, data will be absolutely safe since it is a read-only app. At last, it can also be used to clone a single partition. Therefore, it is worth using the free hard drive cloning software.

Clone a Hard Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

1. Launch the program to get the main window:
minitool-drive-copy-main-window
2. Select the module “Disk to Disk” to image the whole disk.

3. Select the source disk which will be cloned and click “Next”.

4. Choose a target disk to copy content on source disk to and click “Next”. Note: content on target disk will be overwritten after the disk clone, so please transfer your important data in advance.

5. Choose a copying method in accordance with actual demands.

After step 5 users will receive the following message:
free-hard-drive-cloning-software-note
Here, users will be taught how to boot from the target disk namely new disk. Please click “Finish” to confirm operations.

6. Click “Yes” to start cloning hard drive.

Now, free hard drive cloning software helps clone a disk successfully. However, if users just want to clone a single partition with MiniTool Drive Copy, see free copy partition.

Clone an MBR disk to GPT

Hello,
I am planning to clone my old 120GB boot disk to a new 500GB disk. The old was formatted with MBR while the new has been formatted with GPT. Is it possible for me to complete this operation? If yes, please show me specific steps to clone an MBR disk to GPT disk. By the way, do I need to make the 2 disks have the same format in advance? System specs: Windows 8 x32.

It can be very easy to image a disk, but third party drive clone software is needed since Windows itself does not provide a good solution. Here, we recommend the free drive copy software MiniTool Drive Copy. It can clone an MBR disk or GPT disk to both MBR and GPT disk in extremely simple operations. Moreover, since it is a read-only program, no operate will be made on data. Apart from imaging disk, it is able to clone a single partition, too. Next, we will show users detailed steps to image a disk with the recommended drive copy freeware.

How to Clone an MBR Disk to GPT with MiniTool Drive Copy

Step 1: launch the free drive copy software to get its main window:
minitool-drive-copy-main-window
Here, 2 functional modules are shown, namely “Disk to Disk” and “Partition to Partition”.

Step 2: select the module which is specially designed o clone the whole disk, namely choosing “Disk to Disk”.
clone-an-mbr-disk-to-gpt-select-source-disk
Step 3: select the disk which needs imaging and click “Next>”.

Step 4: select the disk where the content in source disk will be saved and click “Next>”.
clone-an-mbr-disk-to-gpt-choose-a-copy-method
Step 5: choose a copying method according to actual demands and click “Next>”.
clone-an-mbr-disk-to-gpt-note
Step 6: read the copy disk wizard note carefully and make sure how to boot from the new disk. Then, click “Finish” button.
clone-an-mbr-disk-to-gpt-start-copying
Step 7: click “Yes” to start copying an MBR disk to GPT disk and wait until the automatic copy is completed by the free drive copy software. Note: to copy a system disk, users will be required to restart computer since there are drives being used. Just do as told, and the copy will be made automatically.

After copy, if users want to boot from the new disk, shut down computer and demount the old disk, and then start computer. Of course, if users want to boot from the new disk without demounting the old disk, configure the new disk as the default boot disk in BIOS setting.

Moreover, another issue should be mentioned. Cloning an MBR disk to GPT will make the GPT disk become an MBR disk. If the original GPT disk is more than 2TB, the space beyond 2TB will be unallocated and can not be used to extend any partition or create partition in Windows Disk Management. At this time, download a free partitioning tool to extend a partition to the unallocated space. It’s useful.

Make a free disk mirroring

In the era of computer, users use disk to store vita data, but at the same time they inevitably encounter data loss. Nevertheless, though it can not be avoided, users can adopt some preventive measures to reduce the loss. For example: users can make a free disk mirroring in advance. And here, I introduce a very simple way, namely using MiniTool Drive Copy to make it.

MiniTool Drive Copy

This disk copy freeware has many advantages.
Powerful compatibility: it is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and other operating systems, and it supports FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, VFAT, NTFS and NTFS5.
Two Powerful function modules: it has “Disk to Disk” module to copy entire hard drive and “Partition to Partition” module to copy a single partition. Therefore, it can meet users’ different needs.
High interaction: detailed prompts are given in every step, so users can easily master the operations to make a free disk mirroring.

Seeing the above presentation, users can know some information of this software. And to make users know more, I will introduce how to use it to make a free disk image.

How to Make a Free Disk Mirroring

First, users should download MiniTool Drive Copy. Then, install it on computer. After installation, launch it to get the main interface:
minitool-drive-copy-main-interface
In this interface, select “Disk to Disk” button to get the next window:
how-to-make-a-disk-mirroring-select-source-disk
Now, select the source disk and click “Next>” to get the following window:

In this interface, select target disk where the copy will be created. (Note: original data on the target disk will be lost after copy operation. Please backup, if needed.) Then, click “Next>” to continue the next operation:
how-to-make-a-disk-mirroring-select-choose-a-copy-method
This window lists 3 copy methods:
1. Fit partitions to entire disk.
2. Copy partitions without resize.
3. Copy partitions with minimum size.

Users can select the most suitable one according to their actual situations. Then, click “Next>” button to perform the next operation:
how-to-make-a-disk-mirroring-select-note
Finally, click “Finish”. Thus making free disk image is finished.
Above all is just a brief introduction of how to make a free disk mirroring. If users want to know more, please download MiniTool Drive Copy and have a try

How to Copy Hard Disk

Many Windows users think that they won’t encounter data loss caused by virus infection, as long as they installed anti-virus software. In fact, many malicious viruses can create some executable malicious programs which can bypass anti-virus software and create the infrastructure of command and control (C&C) to destroy data stored on hard disk. Therefore, if users just only use anti-virus software, they cannot ensure the security of data. Here, to better protect vita data, users can copy hard disk. If so, users can quickly recover lost data by copying the hard disk so as to avoid the great loss caused by data loss. Nevertheless, how to copy hard disk? As we know, there are many solutions, but the easiest one is resorting to third party software. And considering many users are not familiar with disk copy software, there, I recommend MiniTool Drive Copy. It can copy hard disk easily and quickly. And after backup, the data will be safe even in the case of system crash.

How to Copy Hard Disk

If users want to copy hard disk, they need to download disk copy software at first. Then, install it on computer. After that, launch it to get the main interface:
how-to-copy-hard-disk-main-interface
Then, choose the functional module “Disk to Disk” since it is designed to copy disk to enter the function module.
how-to-copy-hard-disk-select-source-disk
At this time, select the source hard disk and click “Next>” to enter the following operating window:
how-to-copy-hard-disk-select-target-disk
In this window, select the target hard disk to store the source hard disk. (Note: please backup all vita data in the target hard disk in advance. This is because original data in the target hard disk will be lost after copy operation.) Then, click “Next>” to perform the next operation:
how-to-copy-hard-disk-choose-a-copy-method
This professional disk copy software provides several copy methods:
1.Fit partitions to entire disk.
2. Copy partitions without resize.
3. Copy partitions with minimum size.
Users can choose any method according to their actual situations and click “Next>” to enter the next window:
how-to-copy-hard-disk-note
Click “Finish” in this window.
how-to-copy-hard-disk-confirm-operation
Finally, click “Yes” button and wait until all operations are done.
If users want to know more information about how to copy hard disk, hurry to download MiniTool Drive Copy. It will be the best assistant.