Windows 10: Drive Cloning not for system file

So i want to migrate my data in my E: and F: drive its HDD to new SSD, there's no system file there. the C: drive is in separate NVME SSD.Do i have to use harddisk cloning tools or just as simple as copy and paste all folder to my new SSD?Thank you.

:)

 

Do window 10 offer a clone image feature for backup system?

Hi, oemSoft

I am sorry to tell you that there is no built-in clone feature in Windows 10. If you just create a system image backup, you can follow the steps below to create a system image in Windows 10.

Step 1. Open Control Panel, go to System and Security > File History, then click System Image Backup at the lower-left corner. Or you can directly type backup and restore in the search box and select it from the search result list.

Step 2. Connect the USB drive to your computer and select it as the destination path, then click Next.

Step 3. Confirm your backup settings and click Start Backup.

However, if you want to clone your system directly, you can choose a third-party software like AOMEI Backupper. This is a professional clone software that allows you to

clone system to different places such as external hard drive, USB drive or Network, etc. without booting problems. With it, you also can clone the entire disk to HDD or SSD.

 

Restoring Windows 10 system image to an insignificantly smaller drive

Thanks for reaching out! I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you.

Restoring a Windows 10 system image to a slightly smaller drive can indeed be frustrating, especially when the size difference is minimal. Here are some steps and tools you can use to resolve this issue:

1. EaseUS Todo Backup:

EaseUS Todo Backup is a reliable tool that can help you restore a system image to a smaller drive by compressing the backup. Here’s how you can use it:

Creating a System Image:

1. Launch EaseUS Todo Backup and select "OS" under "Select backup contents."
   
2. Choose the backup destination (Local Drive or NAS).
   
3. Complete the backup process.
   

Restoring the Image:

1. Boot your computer using the EaseUS Todo Backup emergency disk.
   
2. Select "Browse to Recover" and navigate to your backup file.
   
3. Choose the recovery disk and ensure the partition style matches.
   
4. Customize the disk layout if needed and click "Proceed" to start the recovery.
   

2. AOMEI Partition Assistant:

AOMEI Partition Assistant can clone only the used space of your drive, making it possible to clone a larger drive to a smaller one. Here’s how:

Cloning the Drive:

1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant.
   
2. Click "Clone" and select "Clone Disk."
   
3. Choose the source disk and the destination disk.
   
4. Adjust the partition size on the destination disk and enable "4k alignment" if the target is an SSD.
   
5. Click "Apply" and "Proceed" to start cloning.
   

3. DiskGenius Free Edition:

DiskGenius Free Edition is another tool that can help you clone a larger HDD to a smaller SSD. Here’s the process:

Cloning the Drive:

1. Open DiskGenius Free Edition and select "Clone Disk" from the "Tools" menu.
   
2. Choose the source and destination disks.
   
3. Click "Start" to begin the cloning process.
   

1. Prepare the New Drive:
   
   • Ensure the new drive is properly connected and recognized by your system.
     
   • Use DiskPart or any disk management tool to clean and initialize the new drive if necessary.
     
2. Create a Bootable Media:
   
   • Use EaseUS Todo Backup or AOMEI Partition Assistant to create a bootable USB drive.
     
3. Boot from the Bootable Media:
   
   • Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive.
     
4. Clone or Restore the System Image:
   
   • Follow the steps provided by the chosen tool to clone the old drive or restore the system image to the new drive.
     
5. Adjust BIOS Settings:
   
   • After cloning or restoring, enter the BIOS setup and set the new drive as the primary boot device.
     

Additional Tips

• Backup Important Data: Before starting the process, ensure you have backed up any important data from the old drive.
  
• Use a Reliable Power Source: Ensure your computer is connected to a reliable power source to avoid interruptions during the process.
  

Please do let me know if the method I suggested works for you or if you need further assistance.

 

Moving to SSD. Clone or not to clone?

I kinda agree with you, but on a wholr, do not. While I have done things a bit differently than this specific situation, by installing Windows directly to the SSD, and cloning after, my testing shows that there are no issues doing this, very little that can go wrong, provided your system is stable.

There are certain features that must be disabled in this situation, like auto defrag and such, but even with a fresh install to the SSD, you need to take steps to ensure that you SSD performs properly, regardless of how the data got there.

Arming yourself with a bit of knowledge can go a long way.

Installing the latest chipset driver, and the RST Tools, will ensure optimal performance of the SSD. but rather than taking my advice, I suggest the OP takes a look here:

http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/sand...7-and-ssds-to-clone-windows-or-reinstall.aspx

Install A Solid State Drive In Your Notebook

Keep in mind, also, Digibucc, that many retail drives include software and such that very specifically is to be used to ttranser the OS from an existing mechanical drive to an SSD, and if there really was alot fo issues stemming from the cloning process, they would not have packages like that, simply to eliminate tech support costs. While not the optimal option, cloning is NOT a bad thing, as long as you take the nessecary steps.