How to Migrate OS to SSD using Macrium Reflect vs Easier Way

User Case: Want to Clone OS to New SSD

Macrium Reflect is a powerful disk cloning and imaging tool that is capable of cloning your hard drive, including Windows operating system, to a new SSD. In this guide, we'll delve into the process of how to migrate OS to SSD with Macrium Reflect. Also, to avoid errors like Macrium Reflect unable to dismount volume and Macrium Reflect cloned drive won't boot, an alternative solution is covered.

How to Migrate OS to SSD with Macrium Reflect

How to use Macrium to migrate OS to SSD? You can follow the steps below to utilize Macrium Reflect to clone to SSD for Windows 10/11:

Step 1. Download Macrium Reflect from its website, launch and run it on your computer.

Step 2. Connect your SSD to your system and ensure it is recognized by your computer. Please ensure the SSD has enough space for the OS.

Step 3. Open Macrium Reflect and select "Clone this disk" from the menu.

Step 4. Choose your current OS drive as the source disk and your connected SSD as the target disk.

Step 5. Click "Next" > "Finish" to start the Macrium Reflect migrate OS to SSD process. Once finished, shut down your computer and replace the old disk with the newly cloned SSD.

Why Cloned OS to SSD Won't Boot?

You may encounter issues with Macrium Reflect migrating OS and won't to boot from SSD. Several factors could contribute to this, including:

• Incorrect BIOS Settings: Ensure that your BIOS settings are configured to recognize the SSD as the primary boot device.
• Missing Boot Manager: If the boot manager is not properly installed on the SSD during the cloning process, your system may fail to boot.
• Driver Compatibility: In some cases, driver compatibility issues may arise when migrating to an SSD, leading to boot failures.

Clone OS to SSD with Easy Macrium Reflect Alternative (Error-Free)

While Macrium Reflect offers robust features for disk migration, some users may prefer a simpler alternative. Enter AOMEI Backupper, a user-friendly cloning software that provides an easy-to-use interface coupled with powerful functionality.And its cloning process will run in the background, so you can use the computer without interruption.

👔 Various cloning options - It not only offers Partition Clone and Disk Clone but System Clone to copy only the operating system to another drive.
👔 Intelligent cloning - It can clone only the used space on the source disk to the target drive, useful to clone larger HDD to smaller SSD. Sector By Sector Clone is offered to copy all the sectors as well.
👔 SSD alignment - It is capable of aligning partitions on SSD properly, optimizing performance and maximizing lifespan of your SSD.
👔 Wide support - It supports all SSD brands, like Samsung, HP, WD, Seagate, and so on. And you can run it on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP computer.

Preparations before system cloning:✎...

Install or connect the SSD to your computer and make sure it is detected. If your computer only has one drive slot, use a SATA to USB adapter to connect it.

Then, download and install AOMEI Backupper. Backup your SSD if there's any important data, as cloning will overwrite everything on it.

How to clone Windows OS with Macrium Reflect alternative - AOMEI Backupper

Step 1. Run AOMEI Backupperon your computer, and select System Clone under the Clone tab. You can also choose the Disk Clone to migrate your entire disk to the new SSD.

Step 2. This software will select the system-related partition(s) as the source automatically. So you just need to choose the connected SSD as the destination. Then click Next.

Step 3. Tick the SSD Alignment option. Click Start Clone to begin the system clone progress.

Step 4. When the cloning progress gets 100%, click Finish to exit the interface. Then, you can change boot order in BIOS or replace the old hard drive with the new SSD to boot up Windows from the cloned drive.

Conclusion

On this page, we have covered the detailed steps of Migrating OS to SSD using Macrium Reflect. Also, you can try AOMEI Backupper, which provides a simpler alternative for users seeking ease of use. Despite of Disk Clone, you can use its Systme Clone to copy only Windows operating system to a smaller disk easily.

Besides, this software can help you to backup Windows to external hard drive, and perform universal restore to dissimilar hardware.