Stepwise Guide to Move Windows from SSD to HDD

Can I Move Windows from SSD to Another Drive?

When your old hard drive is on the verge of collapse or is no longer adequate for your use, you may purchase a new HDD or SSD to replace it. But can you move Windows from SSD to HDD or HDD to SSD?

The answer is yes. You can move Windows from SSD to HDD or vice versa without reinstalling OS & programs, which means your old data and configurations will be retained just fine. But since there are system files involved, you need a specialist migration tool instead of manual copy and paste.

In the following article, I will introduce how to move Windows from HDD to SSD with secure boot. The provided methods also apply to moving Windows 11, 8.1/8, 7, etc.

Root Causes of the Dilemma

1. Insufficient Storage Space: SSDs, while fast, might not offer the extensive storage capacities that HDDs provide.

2. Budget Constraints: Users might opt for a cost-effective HDD when SSD prices are prohibitive.

3. Upgrade Requirements: Shifting to an HDD might be prompted by the necessity for more extensive storage in the face of growing data demands.

What to do before you transfer Windows from HDD to SSD/SSD to HDD?

To ensure a smooth transition when moving Windows 10, Windows 11, or an older system to a new HDD or SSD without encountering boot errors, it's wise to follow a checklist:

1. Back-Up Data: Although optional, it's crucial to consider backing up valuable data before proceeding. The Windows moving procedure involves rewriting the entire target disk, so having a backup ensures you don't lose important files.

2. Get A New Hard Drive or SSD with a Bigger Capacity: Opt for a new disk with ample capacity to ensure optimal performance. Aim for at least 30% to 40% of free space on the system disk to maintain high-level and stable computer performance. For example, if your current OS disk is 120GB, consider upgrading to a 256GB or larger disk.

3. Install and Set Up the New Disk: Ensure the new drive is properly installed and configured on your computer:

- Install the new disk using a SATA Cable or NVMe SSD slot.

- Initialize the SSD to match the disk type of the OS disk (MBR or GPT).

- If the target drive is old and used, clean up all existing data and partitions.

4. Choose an Efficient Windows Migration Tool: Utilize disk cloning software such as Macrium Reflect, Clonezilla, AOMEI Backupperetc., as recommended by professionals and users. Alternatively, consider creating a Windows recovery drive and reinstalling Windows for a smooth migration process.

How to migrate system without reinstalling Windows

Note the previous preparations again before you prompt. Now in this section, I will tell you how to migrate HDD to SSD without reinstalling Windows, or SSD to HDD migration.

Method 1. Use professional tool-AOMEI Backupper

A lot of users frequently asking how to move Windows from HDD to SSD. To efficiently transfer the operating system, disk cloning is often the preferred method. It simplifies the process into three steps: install the new drive, clone the system (or disk), and boot from the new drive.

Windows doesn't natively offer a cloning feature, so you'll need specialized disk cloning software to handle the task. A popular example is AOMEI Backupper, which offers comprehensive features for moving the OS or entire disk. Here's how it works:

• Disk Clone: This feature transfers the entire disk, including the Windows system and non-system partitions, directly to the new drive.
•  System Clone: With this option, the software automatically selects system-related partitions and transfers only the Windows installation to the new hard drive.
• Intelligent Clone: This feature copies only used sectors by default, allowing you to migrate Windows 10 to a smaller SSD. You can also opt for a sector-by-sector clone if needed.
• System Restore: AOMEI Backupper includes a free system restore feature, allowing you to transfer Windows to another drive via backup and restore. It supports restoring to smaller disks and doesn't require a bootable USB.

By using disk cloning software like AOMEI Backupper, you can efficiently and effectively transfer your operating system to a new drive without the need for USB or other bootable media.

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

Here's a step-by-step guide applicable to Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 7, and other OS:

Step 1: Connect the new drive for Windows migration

• Install the new hard drive or SSD. If your PC has multiple slots, install the new drive alongside the old one. Otherwise, use a USB to SATA adapter to connect it.
• If the new drive is brand new and doesn't appear in File Explorer, initialize it first. Refer to a Microsoft guide for instructions.
• Backup any files stored on the new drive to avoid data loss during cloning.

Step 2: Launch the migration tool to initiate disk clone

- Navigate to the Clone tab in the main interface and click on Disk Clone to transfer the entire system disk. Alternatively, choose System Clone to transfer only the Windows installation.

Step 3: Specify the source and target drives

- Select the current drive with the Windows installation and click Next.

- Choose the connected destination disk where you want to migrate Windows. This can be a larger HDD or a smaller SSD, partitioned with MBR or GPT. Click Next to proceed.

Step 4: Check the setup and start migrating to the new drive

- Confirm the operation details and click Start Clonet o begin the migration process.

- Consider enabling options like SSD Alignment to accelerate the target drive's performance.

- If necessary, select Sector By Sector Cloneto copy all sectors, whether used or not.

Step 5: Boot Windows from the cloned new drive

- Once the cloning is complete, if your PC has only one drive bay, shut it down and replace the old hard drive with the new one. If your PC has multiple slots and you want to keep the old drive, follow these steps:

- Restart the computer and enter the BIOS menu by pressing the required key (e.g., DEL, F2, F12).

- Set the new hard drive as the first boot option, then save the changes and exit (usually by pressing F10).

- If your computer boots from the new drive successfully, you can decide what to do with the old hard drive, whether to discard it or repurpose it as a storage device.

Method 2. Manual way: use Windows system image backup and restore function

To move Windows from SSD to HDD, you can choose the Windows built-in backup and restore tool:

Phase 1: Create Windows 10 System Image

1. Connect an empty external hard drive to your PC.

2. Open Control Panel and select "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)."

3. Choose "Create a system image," select the external USB drive as the destination, and click "Next."

4. The System and System Reserved partitions will be selected by default. Click "Next."

5. Click "Start backup" to create the system image on the USB drive.

Phase 2: Create Windows Media Creation Tool

1. Connect an empty USB flash drive (minimum 8GB) to the PC.

2. Download the Windows 10 installation media and run it as an administrator.

3. Select "Create installation media for another PC" and choose "Next."

4. Choose the language, edition, and architecture for Windows 10.

5. Select the USB flash drive to use.

Phase 3: Restore and Move the Windows System Image to Another New Disk

1. Connect both the Windows 10 installation media and Windows image backup disk to your PC and reboot.

2. Enter BIOS and set the installation media as the boot drive (usually by pressing F1/F2/Del).

3. Boot from the Windows Installation Media, select "Repair your computer," and then "Troubleshoot."

4. Choose "System Image Recovery" and select your Windows 10 system image disk. Click "Next."

5. Exclude the original system disk, leaving only the new HDD/SSD, and click "Next" to start the restoration process.

6. Wait for the restoration process to complete.

7. Once finished, Windows 10 will restart and boot up from the new disk.

If Windows 10 doesn't boot up, refer back to Phase 2 to set the new disk as the boot drive. After doing so, you should be able to run Windows 10 on the new disk without any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I transfer only the Windows OS without affecting other data?

A: Yes, using tools like AOMEI Backupper, you can selectively transfer the OS.

Q: Will the process delete my files?

A: No, if done correctly, the migration should not result in data loss.

Q: Does cloning affect system performance?

A: Properly executed cloning should not impact system performance.

Q: Can I revert to my old SSD if needed?

A: Yes, keep your SSD intact as a backup for added security.

Q: Is it possible to transfer from HDD to SSD using AOMEI Backupper?

A: Absolutely, AOMEI Backupper supports bidirectional migration.

To sum up

If you're looking to move Windows from SSD to HDD quickly and securely, using disk clone software is the simplest method. AOMEI Backupper stands out with its robust disk clone and system clone capabilities. Whether you're migrating Windows 10 or Windows 11, this tool enables you to seamlessly transfer the operating system from a hard drive to a larger HDD or a smaller SSD.

Moreover, if you need to transfer a hard drive to a new computer without the hassle of reinstalling Windows 10, AOMEI Backupper offers a Universal Restore feature. This ensures that the computer can boot successfully after a restore, even when dealing with dissimilar hardware configurations.