How to Transfer OS and Files to New Hard Drive: Best Way

User Case: Can I Move My OS to Another Drive Without Losing Data?

Hey there! Good news: you can totally transfer OS and files to new hard drive without going through the hassle of reinstalling Windows and all your applications. However, Windows doesn't make it easy, so you'll need some third-party software to help you out. The easiest way is to clone your entire OS onto the new hard drive or SSD, giving you more space or better performance.

Now, some folks have run into issues where the disk won't boot after the clone. But don't worry, that's not the only problem you might face. To safely transfer your OS and ensure a secure boot, I highly recommend using AOMEI Backupper Professional. Keep reading for more details on how to transfer operating system to new hard drive.

Benefits of Transferring OS Files to New Hard Drive

Before diving into transferring OS and files to new hard drive using AOMEI Backupper, it's important to understand why you're doing it. Let's explore the two main reasons:

• Running out of space on the system partition or the entire disk: This is a common issue for many computer users. Usually, the disk that comes with your computer is quite small. As you install new programs and accumulate more files, you'll eventually receive low disk space warnings.
• Sluggish computer performance: Over time, you may notice that your computer doesn't run as smoothly as it used to. If you're seeking better performance, you might consider transferring your operating system to a new hard drive or directly migrating it to an SSD.

Best Way to Transfer OS and Files to New Hard Drive

AOMEI Backupper Professional is highly acclaimed as top-notch system cloning software, specifically designed to assist you in cloning your operating system to a different hard drive across various Windows versions like 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, and Vista. Trusted by over 50 million users worldwide, it has gained immense popularity.

Don't hesitate to give it a try! With this robust cloning tool at your disposal, transferring your OS and files becomes a seamless and hassle-free task. Say goodbye to any worries and transfer OS and files to new hard drive with absolute ease. The following are some of its core features:

◐Disk Clone: This feature allows you to effortlessly transfer the entire hard drive, including both the Windows system and non-system partitions, directly to a new drive.
◐System Clone: With this option, the software automatically selects the necessary system partitions for Windows to run. It exclusively transfers the Windows installation to the new hard drive. For more details, check out the system clone feature.
◐Intelligent Copy: In AOMEI Backupper, this function copies only the used sectors by default, making it perfect for migrating Windows 10 to a smaller SSD. However, you also have the flexibility to choose a sector-by-sector clone if desired.
◐System Restore: AOMEI Backupper Professional includes a free system restore feature, allowing you to transfer Windows to another drive using the backup and restore method. It even supports restoring to smaller disks and eliminates the need for a bootable USB.

These features make AOMEI Backupper Professional a powerful and versatile tool for all your disk cloning and system migration needs.

✌preparations:
1. Connect the new hard drive for cloning:
Ensure the target hard drive is installed or connected to your computer before moving the OS to a new drive or SSD.
• For desktop computers, install it internally in an available slot.
• For laptops, use a USB cable, adapter, or enclosure to connect the target drive for cloning.
Verify the type of slot your hard drive uses (e.g., SATA, M.2, PCIe, IDE, SCSI) before purchasing a new hard drive.
2. Download AOMEI Backupper:
Get AOMEI Backupper, the Professional Edition, for Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista. Server users can opt for AOMEI Backupper Server.

Step 1. Open the software and navigate to the Clone tab. From there, click on Disk Clone.

Important: AOMEI Backupper can clone both MBR and GPT disks. You have the option to clone an MBR disk to GPT without the need to convert the partition style in advance.

Step 2. Choose the old disk on your Windows 11/10 as the source disk, then click Next.

Step 3. Proceed by selecting the new disk as the destination disk, and then click Next.

Step 4. Confirm the operation and click Start Clone to transfer OS to new hard drive. Once the progress reaches 100%, click Finish to exit.

☝Notes:
༄ After cloning a disk to a larger one, there might be unallocated space at the end. You can adjust partition sizes using the "Edit Partitions" feature during cloning.
༄ The "SSD Alignment" option optimizes SSD performance and extends its lifespan. Use it when transferring Windows 10 to an SSD.
༄ The "Sector By Sector Clone" option copies all sectors from the original disk, including used, unused, and bad sectors. It's not recommended unless your original disk is functioning properly.

►To boot from the new hard drive:

Step 1. Completely shut down your computer. Install the new hard drive in place of the original drive using screwdrivers.

Step 2. Replace the computer back cover and connect the power cable.

Step 3. Start your computer and press the specified key to enter the BIOS (usually shown on the initial screen).

Step 4. In the BIOS, navigate to the Boot tab and modify the boot order to prioritize the new hard drive.

Step 5. Save the changes and restart your computer to check if it successfully boots from the new drive.

Conclusion

That concludes the process of transferring OS and files to new hard drive. AOMEI Backupper Professional is a robust tool that simplifies OS or disk transfers for everyday users. It offers helpful features like SSD Alignment, Sector by sector clone, and ensures successful booting from the cloned hard drive.

It also supports moving system reserved partitions to another drive. For advanced users, the software provides command line clone capabilities, enabling unattended tasks via the command prompt. In corporate environments, the Server edition facilitates OS migration to new drives on Windows Server operating systems. For unlimited servers, consider the TechPlus edition. Embrace this tool and embark on your new journey.