One of the best things any user can do to optimize their computer's performance is to abandon the tyranny of hard drives and switch to an SSD. Windows 10 benefits especially from this change, as it has several background optimizations designed for solid-state storage. Now, reinstalling the operating system from scratch is a tedious task, but there is a way to take a shortcut and clone a Windows 10 hard drive to an SSD. Today we'll show you how to do it successfully.
SSD: A One-Way Road
I admit that I “gave up” hard drives a while ago, and for the moment I have no reason to go back. Obviously, some specific tasks require massive amounts of storage that can only be covered by traditional hard drives, but if you have the chance to install an SSD, you shouldn't think twice. Every laptop that passes through my hands gets the same message: Abandon that 5,400 RPM torture inside, and adopt solid-state.
Many users show interest in this, but worry about the software. Reinstalling or “formatting” Windows 10 is an exercise in patience, and the same extends to the rest of the programs. That's when the concept of cloning comes to the rescue, that is, creating a replica of our current environment on the new drive. If the operating system is in good condition, it will be a matter of letting the software work. However, cloning a Windows 10 hard drive to an SSD is not something you can resolve in a couple of clicks. Let's see what's needed.
How to Clone a Windows 10 Hard Drive to an SSD
For the Love of All Things, BACK UP!
We never get tired of repeating it: You need to back up your information. Disk cloning is relatively safe, but there can always be some detail with the potential to ruin everything. For example, imagine the power goes out during cloning. In the best case, you'll only have to restart the process later. In the worst case, well... ???
Keep the Original Drive for a While
The temptation is great: once cloning is done, many users proceed to erase information and refurbish the old drive... but we recommend waiting. On some occasions, cloning isn't entirely correct, causing problems in the bootloader and other startup sectors. Keeping the original drive intact for a reasonable time will allow you to go back to it if something goes wrong, and try again.
Initialize the New Drive with the Correct Partition Table (Optional)
Some tutorials say this isn't necessary. Others suggest it ensures the stability of the whole process. Honestly, it's just one extra step and doesn't bring negative consequences. Go to Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - Disk Management, and initialize the new drive respecting the same partition table as the original: GPT or MBR.
To check what configuration type the original drive uses, right-click it, go to Properties, and in the Volumes tab you'll find the answer.
Download and Install Macrium Reflect Free
The range of programs for cloning a Windows 10 hard drive to an SSD is quite wide, but many of them hide the cloning function behind a trial or a paywall. Macrium Reflect Free is the exception, with a fairly generous free mode. The official website asks for an email, but it's optional. First, you'll need to download its “download agent” to get the installer, and then start the installation itself. When it asks for the edition type, choose “Home”.
What About Other Programs?
A software that has been recommended many times (even by our colleagues) is AOMEI Partition Assistant, especially since YouTuber JayzTwoCents shared a detailed guide on how to use it. However, the developers responded by blocking free access to its cloning mode, and today the program is basically a demo with limited partition management. That's why we follow the route of Macrium Reflect Free.
Start Macrium Reflect Free
Its interface is completely in English, but that hasn't stopped us before and it won't now. In fact, the program is very easy to use: select the original disk in the interface, and click on the “Clone This Disk” function. This will open a new window where we'll see the original disk selected as Source, and to choose the SSD as destination we click “Select a Disk to Clone To”. With both drives selected, click “Next”. (Editor's note: If you need to adjust partition sizes, we explain the details below.)
The software then asks if we want to schedule the task, but it's not necessary. The next phase is a summary of all the tasks that Macrium Reflect Free will do, and if you agree with what you see, click “Finish”. The last step asks if we want to start the cloning now, and if the program should save its configuration. Leave “Run This Backup Now” checked, but uncheck the other option, and press “OK”.
Wait
The most complicated part, without a doubt. Depending on the natural speed of the original drive, the SSD write speed, the amount of data to transfer, and the computer's power, cloning Windows 10 can be a matter of minutes or take several hours. This is an excellent time for one or two cups of coffee accompanied by something else, like a movie or the pending episode of some series. Patience.
Turn Off the PC and Disconnect the Original Drive
When the cloning process finishes, turn off the computer and disconnect the hard drive temporarily. Why? Simple: we want to be sure the transfer was correct, and verify that the SSD boots to the operating system, keeping the disk isolated. If you can't disconnect the disk for any reason, you'll need to change the boot order for the drives from the BIOS, and make sure it “only” uses the SSD so it doesn't look for other bootloaders.
If Windows 10 starts perfectly from the SSD, congratulations! Spend the next 24 to 48 hours testing, and if you notice nothing strange, you can decide what the next role of your hard drive will be (secondary drive? external drive? primary in another PC?).
Cloning a Windows 10 Hard Drive: Answering Questions
What If the Target Drive Is Larger or Smaller Than the Original? How Do I Extend/Manage Space?
With Macrium Reflect Free's manual mode. Go back to the “Start Macrium Reflect Free” step, but instead of pressing “Next”, you must do two things:
- Make sure there are no partitions on the target drive (GPT initialization usually creates a 16 MB partition, use the “Delete Existing Partition” option)
- Drag the partitions down one by one until you reach the main partition, extend or reduce its size, and then drag the final partition (there must be space for it).
To extend or reduce the size of the main partition, we use the “Cloned Partition Properties” option. In our example, Windows 10 has four partitions: the first two are dragged directly and without modifications, but in the main partition we make an extension until we leave 545 megabytes of free space, required for the fourth and last partition. Once adjustments are done, press “Next” and follow the rest of the tutorial. If you have any doubts, you can watch Macrium's official video.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/FvTIAxVvd_0Conclusion
Cloning a Windows 10 hard drive to an SSD is not a task to be taken lightly, but it's not impossible either. With the right tool, the exact procedure, and a good dose of patience, you can avoid the entire reinstallation ritual when moving from mechanical drives to solid-state. And to close, remember: many backups, and don't change anything on the original drive until you're sure. Good luck!
