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Best Windows Disk Clone Tool

What is the best free drive cloning software?

Tomorrow I’ll be going from my current config (120GB SSD Boot disk, 320GB SATA 2 Games Disk), to a new config (64GB SSD Boot Disk, 120GB SSD Games Disk).

In other words, I need to clone the 40GB worth of Windows files and applications from my 120GB 840 EVO to my 64GB SanDisk Ultra Plus that arrives tomorrow. After that I’ll clone the 80GB of games from my HDD to my 120GB SSD (or I could just reinstall steam and all my games).

So, just wondering, what’s the best free cloning software? I’m looking for something reliable and user friendly.

Now, in today’s post, I am going to show the best yet free cloning software for Windows.

Best Windows Disk Clone Tool

In fact, to clone Windows effectively and quickly, you can try using MiniTool Partition Wizard. It has many features as follows:

Number 1: Strong features

Copy Disk feature provided by MiniTool Partition Wizard helps clone one disk to another disk with ease. Besides, this tool also offers another excellent feature, Migrate OS to SSD/HDD Wizard, to help to transfer Windows from one drive to another without data loss.

Number 2: Ease of use

This best Windows disk clone tool offers wizard-based operation as well as simple interface. As a result, even if you don’t have good computer knowledge, you can easily clone OS with this Windows cloning software.

Number 3: High security

No doubt, there are many different Windows cloning tool on the internet, but most of them cannot ensure data security. Fortunately, MiniTool Partition Wizard, best Windows disk clone tool, can help to copy disk without damaging the original data.

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How to Use the Best Windows Disk Clone Tool

First, you need click here to download this freeware, and then install it on computer. After installation, launch it to get its main interface.

Next, select target disk and click “Copy Disk” feature. After that, you will be given detailed information, just do as told.

Note, you can preview the following video to know more detailed steps about copying Windows disk.

Move Windows from One Drive to Another

Today, my girlfriend asked me a question:
I have just bought a 128GB SSD purely because I want windows to boot faster as well as some other programs (games). I have searched for how to move the OS over without losing any data but I can’t find anything. The hard drive windows is on at the moment a standard 1TB HDD.

Tutorial: How to Move Windows from One Drive to Another

And then, I visited Windows forum, Windows Seven forum, as well as other major forums and portals, I find MiniTool Partition Wizard might be a good choice for us to transfer OS from one drive to another since it wins over 20 million votes. So, I download it and launch it to get its main interface as follows:

migrtae os vs copy disk

In the main interface, we can see all disks, all partitions (and some related information including capacity, file system, type, etc.), as well as some basic features.

Right now, to move Windows from one drive to another, we can use “Copy Disk” or “Migrate OS to SSD/HD Wizard” feature.

Tip: this Migrate OS to SSD/HD VS. Copy Disk in Partition Wizard post will tell you more information about these two features, and then you can choose a suitable one according to actual needs.

Here, no matter which one you choose, you can quickly and easily transfer OS from one drive to another without affecting the original data. For instance, you can click “Migrate OS to SSD/HD Wizard” feature to transfer OS. After that, you will be given detailed operating prompts. Just do as told.

The following video gives you an intuitive understanding of moving OS.

See! With MiniTool Partition Wizard, a piece of green, simple and professional partition magic software, we can easily and completely move Windows from one drive to another without data loss. What’s more, this freeware can support various operating systems including Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 and more. Hurry to download it and I guess you will love it.

Copy Disk for Windows 10 Anniversary Update

As everyone knows, more than 350 million users are running Windows 10, and during Microsoft’s BUILD 2016 conference, the company announced that Windows 10 will receive a new, free update this summer called Anniversary Update. Now, on August 2, 2016, Windows 10’s second big update, dubbed the “Anniversary Update”, is finally here.

WIN 10 ANNIVERSARY UPDATE

So, more and more users whose pc with 2GB of RAM and 20GB of internal storage (that’s for 64-bit, for 32-bit you’ll need 16GB) choose to run the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Although Microsoft hoped this Windows 10 Anniversary Update would literally be a revelation for all users, users encountered various issues after installing the update. For instance, some users are reporting that their partitions are missing after installing the Anniversary Update. Here, you can find solutions about this issue in this How to Fix: Partition Disappears in Windows 10 Anniversary Update post.

Right now, considering Windows 10 Anniversary Update may cause various problems like partition loss, data loss and more, we had better make a backup of all data in case of accidents. However, how to clone all data? Can we back up all information without paying any penny?

OF COURSE! THE ANSWER IS YES!

Copy Disk to Back up All Data

In fact, people who have some basic computer knowledge always copy their original disk to another one before installing Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

Here, to copy disk, you can try MiniTool Partition Wizard since it wins over 20 million votes. And, this freeware not only offers wizard-based operation, but also can keep data safe all the time.

copy disk

Look, in the main interface of this professional yet freeware, you can choose the target disk, and click “Copy disk” feature from the left action panel. And then, please follow the instructions on your screen.

Look:
I used this tool to make a copy for an important disk.

After seeing the above introduction, if you have any question about copy disk or Windows 10 Anniversary Update, or any better good suggestions, please send your question directly to: support@minitool.com.

Some Tips on Upgrading Old SD Card to a Larger One

When old SD card does not have much free space, to upgrade it with a new one is undoubtedly a good choice. Generally, you can copy all contents saved on old card to new card to achieve lossless replacement, but things always become complex when we are doing it. See 2 examples.

Example 1: the old SD card saves dozens GB of files.
If the old card stores lots of data, copying and pasting files would cost much time. If accidents like power shortage appear during this process, users may fail to complete the upgrade. Or worse, the source files get damaged or corrupted.

Example 2: the SD card is used to increase internal memory of Android phone.
With specified programs like link2SD, users are able to increase memory of android mobile phone. For more details of increase, you can read the article 7 Methods to Increase Internal Storage Space of Android. If the old SD card saves programs installed on Android phone, directly copying files to new SD card might make these programs malfunction.

Well, how can we get rid of these 2 problems? Below are our suggestions.

For Example 1, we suggest cloning the whole SD card to new SD card, which can help you save much time. The free drive clone software MiniTool Partition Wizard is capable of doing it. Just use its Copy Disk function to do the clone.

For example 2, we suggest taking the following operations:
1. Move all apps back to phone.
2. Unmount old SD card, and then connect it with computer using a card reader.
3. Copy and paste all remaining data to new SD card on computer. Of course, you can also choose to clone old SD card to new SD card.
4. Hook the new SD card to phone, and transfer apps to new SD card.

This would help you upgrade your small SD card to a larger one successfully. However, if your internal memory of Android phone can’t hold apps moved from old SD card, or you are unwilling to do these operations, you can also try this way: turn off Android phone, remove old SD card, connect both old card and new card with computer, transfer all files from old card to new card (or clone old card to new card), hook new SD card to phone, turn the phone on. But we have to say this may make installed programs malfunction.

Want to Get Rid of Slow Disk Clone? Here Are Solutions

Many users know creating a clone for the disk saving important files is the fastest way to restore data from disasters, but most of them have complained slow disk clone. So here we are going to show users some tips on quickening disk clone.

Tip 1: Delete Useless Files
Undoubtedly, it is much faster to delete files compared with copying files, so users had better delete those that are not very important but take much space.

Tip 2: Clean Hard Disk
The Windows built-in disk cleaning tool (Disk Cleanup) can help clean up unnecessary files on your machine, including downloaded programs, Internet temporary files, files in recycle bin, and so on. Sometimes, it can even help you reduce dozens GB of files.

Tip 3: Choose Excellent Disk Clone Software
Some cloning programs might prolong the cloning time since their developers do not pay much attention on this aspect. Here, we suggest using MiniTool Drive Copy, because this program does well in this aspect compared with similar applications.

Next, let’s see how to make a fast disk clone by using the recommended software.

Clone Hard Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

First, download and install the program to your computer. Then, launch it to get the start window:
disk-clone-software-start-interface
Here, please choose Disk to Disk module since it is designed to clone a disk.
clone-hard-disk-select-source-disk
Then, select the disk that will be cloned (source disk), and then choose the disk that will hold content of the source disk (target disk). After that, you are given a chance to change partition layout of the target disk:
clone-hard-diskchoose-copying-method
Please choose the most appropriate copying method by considering your own situation and click “Next” to get a boot note. Read the note and click “Finish” to get a confirmation message. Just click “Yes” to make all changes finally performed.

Do you think your current disk clone software is working slow? If yes, try using MiniTool Drive Copy, which will give you a fast disk clone. In addition, you can refer to the article Clone Hard Drive to SSD if you are going to create a clone on solid state drive.

Create a Copy for Your Current Boot Disk to Avoid Data Loss

Have you imagined the situation where the disk installed Windows, programs, and other important data gets corrupted suddenly? That’s would be a terrible thing, right? Therefore, it is very necessary to create a copy for our current boot disk. But how?

For me, I would like to make use of a third party program, because it can save me much time, and the disk clone software MiniTool Partition Wizard is the one I have used for several years, which works well till now. More importantly, it’s a freeware. But note: it’s free for Windows home users only (like Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10). For server support, you need to purchase it.

Then, some users would ask me how MiniTool Partition Wizard attracts me. Or in other words, they want to know what outstanding features the program has compared with similar programs. Generally, there are 4 reasons: freeware, easy to use, safe to operate, and offers a lot of functions, not limited to copy disk. To see what functions the program provides, please see Feature List of Partition Wizard.

Well, how can we create a copy for our current boot disk with MiniTool Partition Wizard? Please see the following demonstration.

Step 1: download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard.
create-a-copy-for-current-boot-disk-select-source-disk
Step 2: select the boot disk that will be copied and choose the function “Copy Disk”.

Step 3: select the disk that will hold contents of the boot disk and click “Next”.
create-a-copy-for-current-boot-disk-choose-copy-method
Step 4: choose a copying method and click “Next”.

Step 5: read a pop-up note and click “Finish”.
create-a-copy-for-current-boot-disk-apply-changes
Step 6: click “Apply” button on the top left corner to make all changes performed. Tip: you will be asked to restart computer during this step, because Windows installed on this disk is running. Please do by following instructions.

Now, we have created a copy for our current boot disk. If you have such a need, just try using MiniTool Partition Wizard to do it.

Don’t Clone Windows 7 Boot Partition to SSD

“I have a brand new SSD, and I want to clone my Windows 7 boot partition to and make it bootable from the SSD instead of the HDD. But even after successful clone, the SSD is still unbootable. What’s the reason?”

We believe a lot of people have encountered such a kind of problems, and till now some of them haven’t found a reason as well as a solution. Please read the article Why Windows Won’t Boot from the Cloned System Partition to get the exact reason, and below we will give 2 solutions. Please choose the most appropriate one depending on your own situation.

Solution 1: clone the whole hard disk to SSD

By taking this method, all files saved on HDD will be cloned to SSD, which involve operating system, user data, applications, and so on. If you want to transfer all data to SSD, this is a worthwhile method. Steps are as follows:
Start MiniTool Partition Wizard, which is a piece of free disk clone software, to get the main window:
clone-hard-disk
Select the disk that will be cloned, then choose “Copy Disk” feature, and next select the disk that will hold the contents of the first-selected disk.
Next, choose a copying method to get a boot note. Read the note and click “Finish” to go back to the main window.
At last, click “Apply” button to make all changes performed. For video help, please see Copy Disk.

Solution 2: migrate Windows 7 to SSD

You are able to migrate Windows only to SSD, and the migrated system can work correctly. This is different from cloning Windows 7 boot partition to SSD, because all partitions required to boot Windows will be cloned. And MiniTool Partition Wizard can help you complete this task in easy operations, too. Detailed steps are as follows:
Start the program to get the main interface:
migrage-windows
Choose the function “Migrate OS to SSD/HD Wizard”.

Then, select the SSD to migrate Windows 7 to, and next choose a copying method.
Finally, please apply changes by following instructions. For video help, please see Migrate OS to SSD/HD.

Therefore, do not clone Windows 7 boot partition to SSD when you want to run system on SSD, but clone the entire hard disk or migrate OS.

Download Excellent Free Disk Clone Software to Clone Hard Disk

When you are going to transfer all contents, including operating system, user data, and other data, from old disk to new disk, disk to disk clone is highly recommended, and disk clone software is the tool that can help complete the work in an easy way. Well, are you troubled by free disk clone software download? If yes, go on reading this text.

You might be interested in the article Clean Install, Clone, and Migrate, too

On the internet, as long as you search words related to disk clone, a lot of cloning software could be found, which makes it difficult for many people to choose an appropriate one. Considering this situation, we give a recommendation – try using MiniTool Drive Copy.

Why MiniTool Drive Copy Rather Than Any Other Program

Firstly, it’s a piece of freeware. We believe users pay most concern on this aspect.
Secondly, you can operate the program with ease since it is designed with friendly interface and detailed instructions.
Thirdly, it brings no damage to your precious data since it reads only.

These are main reasons for recommending MiniTool Drive Copy, and now you can download this free disk clone software to clone your hard disk. In addition, it can help you clone a single partition if you do not need to make an entire disk clone. Then, let’s see a simple demonstration on cloning hard disk.

Clone Disk with MiniTool Drive Copy

Download and install the free disk clone software on your computer, and then start it to get the main interface below:

free-disk-clone-software-download
Then, choose the Disk to Disk module to get disk layout.
Next, select the source disk and destination disk successively. Tip: the disk that will be cloned is source disk, and the disk used to save the copy of source disk is destination disk; and the destination disk should be big enough to hold all contents on source disk.

Then, choose one copying method from three to get a boot note. Read the note and finally confirm all operations.

Now disk to disk clone is completed. It’s a simple process, right? Are you planning to download this free disk clone software to clone your hard disk or partition?

Clone Hard Drive with Best Disk Cloning Software

clone hard drive Cloning hard drive can help to coy all data on the disk to another one. Here, MiniTool Partition Wizard, a piece of free yet professional disk cloning software, is recommended here since it offers wizard based operation and simple interface.

How to Clone Hard Drive with Best Hard Disk Cloning Software

Step 1: launch the program to get its main interface.

copy disk

Step 2: select the disk which needs copying and activate Copy Disk function from one of 3 places boxed by red line. Here, we choose “Copy Disk” on left pane to get the following interface:

selet disk to copy disk

Step 3: select the disk that will save the copy of the source disk as the target disk and then click “Next”. Note: the target disk should be large enough to hold all content on source disk, and users also need to backup all important data on this target disk in advance, because all its data will be deleted.

copy option

Step 4: choose a suitable copying method and then click “Next”. There are 3 copying methods in total. If users choose the first one, all space on the target disk will be taken up. By using the second method, all partitions will be copied target disk without changing their size. By choosing the third method, users are able to change partition size. Moreover, it is highly suggested that SSD and advanced format HDD users keep checking the option “Force to align partitions to 1MB”.

Step 5: click “Finish” button to go back to the main interface of the best dick cloning freeware.

Step 5: click “Apply” and tap “Yes” button to apply all pending operations. If users are copying system disk, MiniTool Partition Wizard will ask them to restart computer. Just do as told.

Thus, all work has been done. However, do you know why we need to clone hard disk, and why MiniTool Partition Wizard is the best disk cloning software?

Why Do We Need to Clone Hard Drive

Hard drive cloning can help to make a backup of Windows as well as data. And it can be used in the following situations.

Make a full backup of PC: if all the data on the current system installed disk are important, it is necessary to do a complete backup of the source disk by cloning it to a target disk since data loss happens more and more frequently in the world.
Hard disk upgrade: disk clone can help to upgrade hard disk from old small disk to a new larger one without reinstalling Windows.
OS migration: it can help to quickly transfer system to another drive like SSD in case of accidents. (MiniTool Partition Wizard also offers other feature “Migrate OS to SSD/HDD Wizard” to help to transfer OS.)
Data recovery: in order to avoid secondary damage to the original data during data recovery, you can clone disk before recovering.
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See! Disk cloning is an important task for us. Next, we will show why we need to try MiniTool Partition Wizard to clone hard drive.

MiniTool Partition Wizard – Best Hard Disk Cloning Software

MiniTool partitioning software is indeed a wise choice for most common users. To be specific,
Excellent features: it offers Copy Disk feature to help clone one disk to another disk with ease.
High security: with this freeware, you can copy disk without damaging the original data.
Simple operation: it not only offers wizard-based operation but also provides simple interface. Thus, even a new user can easily handle it.
Strong compatibility: it supports various operating systems including Windows Vista/XP, Windows 7/8, Windows 10, and more.
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Best Free Windows OS Migration Software

Windows OS migration is, undoubtedly, a hot topic. However, do you know why we need to migrate OS, or migrate OS to SSD?

Reasons for Migrating OS

As we know, we store our operating system, programs, watch movies, precious photos and some other data on hard drive. However, as time goes by, we’ll find our hard drive or only C drive is running out of space. Now, we can migrate OS to another drive or SSD to release more free space. (Note: Compared to Hard Disk Drive, SSD possesses better performance in read and write speeds.)

On the other hand, OS migration can help to shorten the boot time and enhance the performance of computer

Nevertheless, do you know how to migrate OS to hard drive or SSD? Is it possible to free migrate OS?

Best Free Windows OS Migration Software

Considering that users are not experienced in this filed, we recommend using MiniTool Partition Wizard, which is a very easy-to-use tool for even ordinary users.

Besides, this Windows OS migration freeware supports various operating systems including Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7/8/10, etc. And, with the best freeware, we can migrate OS to SSD without damaging the original data. What’s more, we don’t need to reinstall Windows after OS migration. Next, let’s see detailed steps.

How to migrate OS with Best Migration Freeware

First, we need to download this professional migration freeware from its official website, install it on computer, and then launch it to get its main interface as follows.

migrate system to ssd

In this window, select the “Migrate OS to SSD/HD Wizard” from left Wizards column.

select ssd

Next, select the destination disk and then click on “Next” to move on.

copy options

After that, choose a suitable way to migrate OS and click on “Next” button. And then, click “Finish” button to go back to the best free Windows 0S migration software.

Finally, click “Apply” and tap “Yes” to perform all changes.
Thus, all work has been done!

Are you still worried about OS migration? Now, the best free Windows OS migration software, MiniTool Partition Wizard, can help to easily and quickly migrate OS without reinstalling OS.