Author Archives: zxl123

Transfer Windows 10 to SSD

Question: I have upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 successfully, but the OS is installed on a 500GB mechanical hard disk now. Therefore, I bought a 256GB solid state drive and plan to transfer Windows 10 to the SSD. Is there any good way to do this operation?

Undeniably, running Windows OS on SSD will optimize computer performance largely, so more and more users employ SSD as their system disk. To do system migration, users can ask system migration software for help. Nevertheless, when selecting such a kind of program, users should be more careful, because any inferior software may cause the migrated system unbootable. Considering this factor, we suggest using the freeware MiniTool Partition Wizard to transfer Windows 10 to SSD, which has been praised by millions of users.

MiniTool Partition Wizard is a piece of Windows partitioning software owning all-sided functions, and the Migrate OS to SSD/HD is a new feature along with the version 9.0. By employing this function, users are able to migrate a running Windows OS, including Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 and Windows Server 2000/2003/2008/2012, from one disk to another disk. And the transferred Windows will always be bootable since the program not only transfers boot files and system files but updates boot information on the target disk. Next, let’s see how to migrate Windows 10 to SSD by using this program.

Transfer Windows 10 to SSD with MiniTool Partition Wizard

After the system migration software has been installed successfully, please run and launch it to get the main interface:
minitool-partition-wizard-main-interface
Then, select the function “Migrate OS to SSD/HD Wizard” from the left pane.
migrate-windows-10-to-ssd-select-ssd
Next, select the SSD to transfer Windows 10 to and click “Next>” to go on. After this step, users are able to edit partition size and location on SSD:
transfer-windows-10-to-ssd-edit-partition
Please do in accordance with actual demands and click “Next>” to get a note which shows how to boot from SSD. Read it and click “Finish” to go back to the main interface.
transfer-windows-10-to-ssd-apply-changes
At last, click “Apply” to apply all changes to computer. Tip: since we are migrating Windows OS which is running, MiniTool Partition Wizard will ask us to restart the computer, which is to protect system.

Once all changes are made successfully in boot mode, our computer will reboot. Please enter BIOS before Windows Logo is loaded, and then make the SSD enjoy boot priority if you are employing Legacy BIOS. However, if you want to clone the entire HDD to SSD, please see Migrate HDD to Solid State Drive for details.

Migrate HDD to solid state drive

To employ solid state drive is definitely a great upgrade to our computer since SSD enjoys quite faster read and write speed. Well then, how can we complete the upgrade without reinstalling system or losing any original information? The best solution is to migrate HDD to solid state drive, which not only can ensure data security but can save a lot of time. And professional drive clone freeware can help do this with ease.

However, as SSD is always smaller than HDD in capacity, many users have the doubt whether it is possible to migrate a large HDD to smaller solid state drive. Don’t worry. The powerful cloning program MiniTool Partition Wizard is capable of cloning a large disk to smaller drive as long as the smaller disk has enough space to hold content saved on the large disk.

MiniTool Partition Wizard can be used on Windows XP, Vista, Win 7, Win 8, and Win 10 to migrate hard disk for free, and the server edition works well under Windows Server. More importantly, quite simple operations are needed, and you can find detailed prompts in every step. If you do not believe what I said, please look at the following example.

Migrate HDD to Solid State Drive with MiniTool Partition Wizard

First of all, please download and install the drive clone freeware to your computer. After successful installation, please run and launch it to get the main interface where disks and partitions are listed clearly:
minitool-partition-wizard-main-interface
To clone HDD to SSD, please select the HDD and choose “Copy Disk” feature from the left side.
migrate-HDD-to-SSD--select-source-disk
Then, select the SSD and click “Next>”. Tip: all data saved on the SSD will be erased after the migration is completed, so please transfer important files out before doing the disk clone.
migrate-HDD-to-SSD-resize-partition-on-ssd
Now users are able to edit partition size and location if they choose the third copying method. After getting needed capacity and location, please click “Next>” to get a boot note. If you are planning to boot computer from the SSD, please do as the note tells when rebooting computer, but here you just need to click “Finish” to continue.
migrate-HDD-to-SSD-apply-changes
At last, click “Apply” button to apply all changes. And to migrate HDD to SSD is completed after application is done.

However, if you want to transfer Windows OS only, please see Migrate OS to SSD/HD to get details.

Transfer photos to USB flash drive

Question: I’m a photographer (but not very professional), and now there are near 100GB photos stored on my Windows laptop. Recently, I configured a new Windows PC, so I’m going to transfer all these photos from Windows laptop to PC for better processing. Fortunately, I have a 128GB USB flash drive to help make the migration, but to transfer photos via copying and pasting for twice is so troublesome and time-consuming. Therefore, I really hope someone would suggest a fast way to transfer photos to USB flash drive. Any help is much appreciated.

This kind of questions are often asked on the internet, because to copy and paste is not a good choice to migrate a huge number of files. Actually, instead of operating photos, users can copy the disk or partition which saves photos since this will save much time and ensure data security. Well then, how can we clone a hard disk and partition? A piece of drive clone software is needed.

As we know, Windows does not provide users with good solutions to copying a device, so users had better turn to a third party program. If you do not know which app to use, try using MiniTool Drive Copy which is a freeware for Windows non-server users. For server support, please see server partition manager to get details. Next, let’s see steps to transfer photos.

Transfer Photos to USB Flash Drive with MiniTool Drive Copy

Firstly, please ensure the USB flash drive has been connected with computer. Then, launch the freeware to get its starting interface:
minitool-drive-copy-startup-interface
There are 2 functional modules on the startup interface, including “Disk to Disk” and “Partition to Partition”. If the entire hard disk saves photos, choose the first module. If you just store photos in certain partition, choose the second module. Here, we take transferring photos from one partition to USB flash drive for example. Select the second module and the following window will appear:
transfer-photos-to-usb-flash-drive-select-source-partition
Now, please select the partition which needs copying and click “Next>”. Then, select the partition or unallocated space on the USB flash drive to hold photos and click “Next>” to get the window below:

Here, we just need to click “Finish” button to continue.

At last, click “Yes” to confirm all operations.

When MiniTool Drive Copy shows it succeeded in copying the partition, we can take out the USB flash drive, and then connect it with the new computer to do the same clone.

Best disk clone app for Windows OS

To make a clone for the disk which stores significant files is a quite wise choice since it can help restore our important data in the shortest time and prevent losses (both spiritual and economic) effectively. And to make such a clone, users are suggested employing third party programs since manual cloning requires professional knowledge as well as lots of time. Nowadays, there are a great number of drive cloning programs available especially for Windows, but different software has different advantages and weakness. Therefore, many users feel difficult in finding best disk clone app for Windows OS. Considering this situation, we suggest using MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Reasons for Recommending MiniTool Partition Wizard

There are many reasons for suggesting this drive clone program, and here we mainly introduce 4 of them.
1. It is a freeware for Windows non-server users, including Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
2. It is capable of cloning both system disk (the disk saving Windows) and data disk, and both MBR and GPT are supported.
3. Brings no influence on data and system even if accidents like power failure emerge.
4. So simple operations are needed, and you can find detailed prompts in each step.

Actually, in addition to cloning disk, this freeware can help users resize partition, convert data disk from MBR to GPT (vice versa), recover lost partition, etc. After seeing the above introduction, most of you would regard MiniTool Partition Wizard as the best disk clone app for Windows OS. Next, we are going to show users how to clone system disk by using this program.

Clone Disk with MiniTool Partition Wizard

After running and launching the free drive clone program, we can see its main interface below:
clone-system-disk-select-source-disk
Then, select the system disk which needs copying and choose “Copy Disk” feature from the left side. Next, select the disk that will be used to hold the clone of system disk and click “Next>”. After these operations, we are able to edit partition size and location on the disk that saves the disk copy:
clone-disk-edit-partition
Here are 3 options to determine partition size and location, and here we take the third one for example. To resize partition, please change the length of the handle by dragging black triangles on each side of the handle. To edit partition location, please change the location of the handle. Then, click “OK” to get a boot note. Just read the note and click “Finish”.
clone-disk-apply-changes
At last, click “Apply” button to make all previous changes applied. Note: since we are cloning system disk, the best disk clone app will ask us to restart computer. Please do as it tells.

After all changes are made in boot mode, our computer will reboot, and then a disk clone has been created. If you also need to make such a copy for disk or partition, try using this best Windows OS disk clone app now.

System disk clone freeware for Windows

What Is Windows System Disk

Hard disk is the most widely used storage media for both PC and laptop, and the disk saving Windows OS is always called system disk while the disk specially used to save different kinds of user data is called data disk. Requirements for cloning system disk are much higher than those for data disk since the former not only copies data but updates boot configurations and parameters, which is the key to successful Windows booting. Therefore, when it comes to system disk copy, users had better employ a much excellent disk clone software.

Windows System Disk Clone Freeware Recommendation

In many users’ opinion, freeware is always with poor quality, but in fact a lot of free tools have amazing competence. And MiniTool Partition Wizard is such a program. By using it to copy system disk, users only need to click mouse for several times, and Partition Wizard will perform all changes automatically, including clone all data files and partitions and update boot information. Moreover, it can help do many other operations apart from cloning system disk, such as migrate OS to SSD or HD, clone certain partition, resize partition, convert file system, and recover lost partition. Therefore, it is worth using this Windows system disk clone freeware.

Steps to Copy System Disk in MiniTool Partition Wizard

Before doing system disk clone, please make sure the disk used to save the copy has been connected and recognized by computer. Then, take the following steps:
1. Start and launch the freeware to get the main interface below:
copy-system-disk-select-source-disk
2. Select the system disk we want to copy and choose “Copy Disk” from the left side.
copy-system-disk-select-target-disk-to-save-the-copy
3. Select the disk prepared to save the clone of system disk and click “Next>”.

4. Change partition size and location on the prepared hard disk and click “Next>”. Then, a boot note will appear:
copy-system-disk-boot-note
5. This note tells where and how to make the target disk as the default boot disk. If you are planning to boot Windows from the target disk and employing Legacy BIOS, please do as the note tells when rebooting computer later. But here users just need to click “Finish” to continue.
copy-system-disk-apply-changes
6. Click “Apply” and “Restart Now” and then MiniTool Partition Wizard will perform all changes in boot mode.

After all changes are made in boot mode, our computer will reboot. Before Windows logo is loaded, please enter BIOS to set boot priority if you want to boot from the target disk. However, if you failed to enter BIOS this time, just reboot computer and try it again. Now try using this system disk clone freeware to clone disk or partition for Windows OS.

Make a backup for Windows 10

On 29 of July, Windows comes as expected. And a lot of users have upgraded their OS to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Once the OS is installed or upgraded successfully, it is highly suggested that users make a backup for Windows 10 in case of sudden system crash. Well then, how can we complete such a backup?

Users can either employ system built-in system backup function or use a third party free system backup program, but we mainly introduce a third party freeware in this post, and it is MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Some users may ask why recommend a third party program when system built-in tool can do it. There are 2 big reasons:
1. MiniTool Partition Wizard requires much simpler operations.
2. It can help complete lots of disk and partition management operations apart from backing up Windows 10, including resize partition, split partition, copy partition, copy disk, convert file system, wipe partition, migrate Windows 10 to SSD/HD, and so on.

Well then, how can we backup Windows 10 by using this freeware? Please look at the following example to get detailed steps.

How to Make a Backup for Windows 10 in MiniTool Partition Wizard

Firstly, users need to prepare a hard disk (both external and internal are OK) that is used to save the backup of Windows 10. Then, run and launch Partition Wizard to get the main interface below:
backup-windows-10-choose-correct-function
Here, we can see the function “Migrate OS to SSD/HD Wizard” which is capable of making a backup for Windows OS. Tip: it only works to the Windows which is running. If you have more than 1 operating system, please boot the one you want to backup. Choose this feature and we can see the following window:
make-a-backup-for-windows-10-select-the-disk-to-save-the-backup
Here, we need to select the disk that will save the clone of Windows 10, and then click “Next>”.
backup-windows-10-resize-partition
Now, MiniTool Partition Wizard allows users to resize partitions on the selected hard disk to make full use of disk space. Then, click “Next>” to get a boot note. Since we are just planning to make a backup for Windows 10 rather than boot Windows 10 from the second hard disk, we only need to click “Finish” to go back to the main interface:
make-a-backup-for-windows-10-apply-changes
Now we can see Windows 10 has been cloned to Disk 2. At this time, please click “Apply” button on the top to make all previous changes performed.

If you also want to backup Windows 10, make a clone for Windows 10 hard disk, or perform other Windows 10 disk/partition management, MiniTool Partition Wizard would be a good choice.

Copy partition to memory card

Nowadays we can find multiple kinds of memory cards from the market, like SD card, MMC card, CF card, and memory stick. And capacity of these cards becomes larger and larger so that many users would like to create a backup for their important files on memory card. Generally, we can copy and paste files to memory card to create such a backup, but this will be a time-wasting solution if dozens of files should be cloned. Under this circumstance, it is highly suggested that users copy partition or hard disk to memory card for backup, which will save them lots of time.

Currently, there is free drive clone software to do disk copy and partition copy, and MiniTool Drive Copy is a good choice. However, considering the situation where capacity of partitions is always larger than that of memory card, some users may ask whether it is possible to clone a large partition to small memory card. Actually, as long as the memory card has enough space to save content of the partition, clone is possible. But we should note that all data saved in the memory card will be erased once the copy is done, so please transfer needed files out in advance.

Next, let’s see how easy it is to copy a partition to memory card by using this free drive clone software.

Copy Partition to Memory Card with MiniTool Drive Copy

Step 1: launch the freeware to get the startup interface where 2 functional modules are shown:

minitool-drive-copy-start-interface

Step 2: choose the module “Partition to Partition” since it aims at copying partition while “Disk to Disk” targets cloning the entire hard disk.

copy-partition-to-memory-card-select-source-partition

Step 3: select the partition we want to backup and click “Next>”. Then, choose the partition on memory card to copy source partition to and click “Next>”.

copy-partition-to-memory-card-resize-partition

Step 4: change partition size and location. Tip: since memory card is a removable device on which Windows always recognizes one partition only, we’d better enlarge the partition to include all disk space. Then, click “Finish” to continue.

At last, click “Yes” to make all previous operations performed.

Now the backup for a partition has been created on memory card. However, if you want to copy the entire hard disk rather than certain partition to memory card or other storage devices, please see Copy Disk to get detailed operations.

Backup partition in Windows 10

Maybe you are using or planning to use Windows 10, and a lot of data or files may be saved in one of your Windows 10 partitions. If you want to prevent these files from being lost due to accidents, such as mistaken deletion, virus attack, and wrong partitioning, it is very necessary to make a backup for the partition. And professional drive backup software can help you complete this task with ease. However, since Windows 10 is the newest operating system of Microsoft, a lot of programs cannot be compatible with it, let alone help backup partition in Windows 10. Aiming at this situation, we recommend a free drive clone software which gives perfect supports on Windows 10.

A Brief Introduction to MiniTool Partition Wizard

MiniTool Partition Wizard is the freeware we recommend, and we have used it to perform different kinds of partitioning operations and disk operations under Windows 10, working well. In addition, it provides data protecting solutions when we are performing any operation so that users do not need to worry about data security. In addition, it offers 2 schemes to backup data, including disk backup and partition backup, and users can choose the best one in accordance with actual demands. And it is very easy to operate the program. Next, let’s take cloning a partition in Windows 10 for example.

Backup Partition in Windows 10 with MiniTool Partition Wizard

After the free drive clone software has been downloaded and installed, we just need to run it to get its starting interface and then choose “Launch Application” to get the window below:
backup-partition-of-windows-10-select-source-partition
All disks and partitions are listed here. To clone a partition of Windows 10, please select the source partition and click “Copy Partition”.
baclup-partition-in-windows-10-mark-a-place-to-save-the-backup
Then, mark a place to save the backup of the source partition, which can be unallocated space on any hard disk. If there is no unallocated space, please shrink an existing partition to get. For more information, please see Move/Resize Partition.
backup-partition-of-windows-10-resize-partition
Next, change the size and location for the partition which saves the backup of source partition, and then click “Finish”.
baclup-partition-in-windows-10-apply-changes
Now we can see the copy of the source partition. At this time, please click “Apply” button on the top to make all changes performed, and then the backup will be available.

After a backup is created, we can recover our data in the shortest time when the source one gets lost or damaged. So try using the free drive clone software MiniTool Partition Wizard to backup partition or disk in Windows 10 when necessary.

HDD to SSD cloning freeware Windows

Running Windows OS or playing games on solid state drive (SSD) would give users great experience so that a lot of users are planning to transfer their programs requiring speed from HDD to SSD. Well then, how can they complete this kind of operations with ease? The best choice is to make use of a HDD to SSD cloning freeware designed for Windows, which can simplify operations and brings no damage to data.

Here, we take the freeware MiniTool Partition Wizard for example. It provides users with 3 solutions to transferring data from HDD to SSD: transfer Windows to SSD, copy certain partition to SSD, and clone the entire hard disk to SSD. Users just need to choose the most appropriate one in accordance with actual demands.

If you plan to transfer Windows to SSD only, make use of the function “Migrate OS to SSD/HD Wizard” of MiniTool Partition Wizard:
hdd-to-ssd-cloning-freeware-migrate-os-to-ssd
This feature helps make a clone for all files related to booting Windows, like boot files and system files. More importantly, it can even update and fix boot information on the SSD, which is one of keys to making the cloned Windows bootable. However, if you just want to copy a partition rather Windows to SSD, employ the function “Copy Partition” of the HDD to SSD cloning freeware:
hdd-to-ss-cloning-freeware-copy-partition
All files saved in source partition will be cloned to the target SSD in a short time, and the cloned data can be used like the source. Nevertheless, if you hope to clone the entire HDD to SSD, the function “Copy Disk” is available:

Some users may ask whether this program can migrate a large HDD to small SSD since solid state drive is also much smaller than mechanical hard disk in capacity. Don’t worry. As long as the small hard disk has enough space to save content of the large hard disk, large HDD to small SSD clone is possible. And only several steps are required.

Are you planning to transfer data to SSD? Now try using the HDD to SSD cloning freeware MiniTool Partition Wizard to do that in Window OS, which would save you much time and bring surprise.

Migrate primary partition to another disk

Primary partition is a partition referenced in the master boot record (MBR) partition table, and we can create 4 primary partitions on a MBR disk at most. Only primary partition can be set active to boot Windows. Like any other type of partition, primary partition can be used to store data. However, sometimes users may need to migrate primary partition to another disk so as to transfer data or backup important files. Is there a good way to do this?

By using a piece of excellent drive clone freeware you can complete such a migration with ease. If you do not know which software to choose, try using MiniTool Drive Copy. This program is capable of copying a primary partition to either MBR disk or GPT disk, and it can even clone a primary partition to logical drive. During this process, it brings no damage to data even if the migration suspends due to accidents like power outage and software crash.

Apart from migrating primary partition to another disk, MiniTool Drive Copy can help clone the entire disk to another disk when you are going to replace the old disk with a new disk or make a backup for an important disk. Only several steps are required, too. Next, let’s see how to use this program transfer a partition.

Migrate Primary Partition to Another Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

After running the drive clone freeware successfully, we can see its starting interface where 2 functional modules are available:
minitool-drive-copy-start-interface
To clone a partition, please select “Partition to Partition” module since “Disk to Disk” aims at copying the whole hard disk.
migrate-primary-partition-to-another-disk-select-source-partition
Then, select the primary partition you want to migrate and click “Next>”.

Next, choose an unallocated space or existing partition (both primary and logical are OK) to migrate the source partition to and click “Next>”. After these steps, you are able to change the size and location of the partition which saves the copy of the source partition. Then, click “Finish” to get the window below:
migrate-primary-partition-to-another-disk-confirm-changes
At this time, as long as users click “Yes”, the drive clone freeware MiniTool Drive Copy will perform all previous changes automatically.

These are all steps to migrate a primary partition to another disk. If you have such a need, try taking this method. Tip: this freeware does not support Windows Server. For server support, please download MiniTool Partition Wizard Server Edition.