How to Clone Hard Drive to SanDisk SSD in Windows 10/11

This article explores step-by-step solutions to clone your drive, whether you’re using Windows built-in tools, third-party software, or specialized SanDisk utilities. Each solution includes detailed instructions for a smooth data migration process, ensuring a seamless transition without data loss.

Lily

By Lily Updated on May 28, 2025

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When upgrading from HDD to SanDisk SSD, reinstalling Windows and all the apps on the new SanDisk disk can be a headache, not to mention those precious personal files. So, is there a way to clone everything on the hard drive to SanDisk SSD?

The answer is yes. You can make an exact copy of the source hard drive, transfer it to the SanDisk drive, and then boot Windows from the cloned SSD. To achieve this, all you need is professional SanDisk SSD clone software.

AOMEI Backupper

Easiest hard drive clone software for Windows PC.

Sandisk SSD

Does SanDisk SSD Come with Cloning Software?

SanDisk SSDs don’t come with built-in cloning software, but you can download Acronis True Image for Western Digital to clone and back up files, programs, and operating systems from Western Digital drives (including SanDisk, WD, and G-Technology).

This software is available as a limited-time offer. You need to download and install it within 90 days of purchase or before December 31, 2023, whichever comes first.

However, it’s important to note that this tool only works when a Western Digital storage device is detected on your system. Many users have reported issues with the software failing to recognize SanDisk SSDs connected via external docks or adapters.

no hardware by WD has been detected

✍Other limitations of Acronis True Image for Western Digital:

  • It doesn't support cloning OS to an external USB drive, or an internal drive inside of an external drive bay/enclosure.
  • The source and target disks must have equal logical sector sizes.
  • The cloning process will fail if the original drive has errors or bad sectors.
  • It only supports cloning an entire disk. Cloning a single partition is not supported.

If any of the above factors prevent you from using it, we recommend an alternative SanDisk cloning software, AOMEI Backupper. It is much less restrictive and supports any brand of HDDs and SSDs that can be detected by Windows (not only SanDisk).

Best SanDisk Cloning Software to Migrate Data and OS

AOMEI Backupper Professional is the best tool for SanDisk cloning from HDD to SSD. It’s simple but professional, allowing you to clone the entire disk, selected partitions, or only OS directly. It is not only a SanDisk clone software but also works with other brands of SSDs, HDDs, USB drives, NAS, SSHD, etc.

In practical use, it also has the following advantages:

AOMEI Backupper
Easiest SanDisk SSD Cloning Software
  • Compatible with all Windows versions. AOMEI Backupper works on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11.

  • Create an exact copy of your hard drive with a secure boot. Unlike reinstalling everything from scratch, the "Clone" feature allows you to transfer your system without reinstalling programs or losing data.

  • Clone to a SanDisk SSD, no matter the drive size. The software only clones used sectors, so you can clone larger HDDs to smaller SSDs. You can also clone to a larger SSD as needed.

  • Advanced options. You can use "Sector By Sector Clone" to clone all sectors, boost SSD performance with "SSD Alignment," and adjust partition sizes using "Edit Partitions" to maximize your storage space.

Get SanDisk SSD cloning software download to try it now, and follow the guide below to clone HDD to SanDisk SSD.

Stepwise Guide: SanDisk Clone Hard Drive to SSD

With the SanDisk SSD cloning software, you can try the following steps for SanDisk data migration:

Step 1. Connect the target SanDisk SSD.

Before starting SanDisk clone HDD to SSD, you need to connect SanDisk SSD via one of the following 2 methods:

  • If your computer has only one slot, you need a SATA to USB adapter or SSD enclosure to connect the target drive to your PC externally.

  • If there are more slots, you can add the SSD as a secondary disk so as to clone HDD to SSD without SATA to USB cable.

Step 2. Launch the migration tool to set up disk cloning.

Install the SanDisk clone software, and launch its main interface. Select Disk Clone under the Clone tab. There's also a System Clone option allowing you to only move OS to another drive.

Disk Clone

Note: This software supports cloning both data disks and systems disks from MBR to MBR/MBR to GPT, or GPT to GPT/GPT to MBR. But please make sure the partition style of the target disk is compatible with the boot mode (MBR for legacy BIOS and GPT for UEFI).

Step 3. Specify the source hard drive and target SSD.

Select the current HDD (here is disk 0) as the source disk, and click Next to continue.

Source Disk

Select your SanDisk SSD (here is disk 1) as the destination disk to receive the disk copy. Click Next.

Destination Disk

Step 4. Initiate the cloning process.

Select SSD Alignment to accelerate the target SanDisk SSD, and click Start Clone to continue. Wait for it to complete.

Start Clone

🌟More Useful Options:

  • Edit Partitions: When cloning to a larger drive, unallocated space might remain if you don’t resize the partitions. Use this feature to adjust the partition sizes and fully utilize the extra storage.

  • SSD Alignment: If you’re cloning HDD to SSD, selecting this option will boost the SSD's read/write speeds, enhancing overall performance.

  • Sector-By-Sector Clone: This option clones every sector, whether used or not, ensuring maximum data security. If you want to clone the system-reserved recovery partition to your SanDisk SSD and ensure it functions properly, make sure to enable this feature.

Further Reading

Why Clone Your Hard Drive to a SanDisk SSD?

Compared with HDDs, solid state drives (SSDs) come with faster startup and read/write speed so many users want to replace their old hard drive with an SSD. Among all the choices, SanDisk SSD is a popular one due to its outstanding performance and compatibility. You can enjoy many benefits after moving to a SanDisk SSD:

  • Significant Speed Boost: The primary advantage of cloning to a SanDisk SSD is the dramatic increase in speed. Solid-state drives (SSDs) have no moving parts, allowing them to access and transfer data much faster than traditional hard drives (HDDs).
  • Improved Reliability and Durability: SanDisk SSDs are highly reliable compared to HDDs. Since SSDs don’t rely on spinning disks or mechanical arms, they are less prone to physical damage from drops or vibrations.
  • Energy Efficiency: SanDisk SSDs consume less power than traditional hard drives, making them ideal for laptops and mobile devices.
  • Increased Storage Capacity: Modern SSDs, including those from SanDisk, offer large storage capacities that rival traditional hard drives

Recommended SanDisk SSDs for Cloning

Not all SSDs are created equal—SanDisk offers a range of drives tailored for different performance levels, storage capacities, and budgets. It’s crucial to select the right model for your needs.

Model

Form Factor / Interface

Best For

Capacities Available

Key Features

SanDisk SSD Plus

2.5" SATA

Budget users, general tasks

240GB – 2TB

Reliable performance, affordable, quiet and cool

SanDisk Ultra 3D SSD

2.5" SATA

Gaming, multitasking, faster load

250GB – 4TB

3D NAND tech, better endurance and speed than SSD Plus

SanDisk Extreme PRO

2.5" SATA

Power users, creators

500GB – 2TB

High-speed sequential read/write, enhanced durability

SanDisk Extreme

M.2 NVMe

High-performance systems

250GB – 2TB

Ultra-fast NVMe speeds (requires M.2 slot)

SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD

External USB-C SSD

Cloning via external drive + backup

500GB – 4TB

Portable, rugged, USB 3.2 Gen 2, fast external cloning

FAQs about HDD clone to SanDisk SSD

Why is it essential to clone a hard disk to SSD?
 
Cloning a hard disk to SSD can help you upgrade your computer’s performance and speed. It can also help you transfer all your data from the old hard drive to the new one without losing any data.
How long does it take to clone a hard drive to SanDisk SSD?
 
The time it takes to clone a hard drive to SanDisk SSD depends on the size of the hard drive and the speed of your computer. On average, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
Can I clone a hard drive to SanDisk SSD without losing data?
 
Yes, you can clone a hard drive to SanDisk SSD without losing any data. Cloning software like AOMEI Backupper can help you transfer all your data from the old hard drive to the new one.
What should I do after cloning my hard drive to SanDisk SSD?
 
After cloning your hard drive to SanDisk SSD, you should check if the cloned disk is bootable. You should also update your BIOS settings if necessary and format the old hard drive if you don’t need it anymore.

Wrapping things up

With SanDisk cloning software - AOMEI Backupper, you can easily clone a hard drive to SanDisk SSD. Actually, it can also be used as OCZ SSD clone software, ADATA SSD clone software, WD disk cloning software, M.2 SSD cloner, etc. All features mentioned above can be applied to all SSDs.

Need to clone hard drive to SSD successfully without reinstalling, even to a smaller SSD? Download AOMEI Backupper and then follow the above steps to clone the disk.

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Lily
Lily · Editor
Lily Green joined AOMEI in 2018 and has since become a professional in the areas of data protection and data transfer. She is committed to helping users protect their precious computer data and troubleshoot Windows system errors. She consistently stays vigilant about the latest trends in technology, guaranteeing that the given information aligned with the ongoing advancements in the field.