Best Hard Drive Transfer Tool: Clone without reinstalling OS

The case: need hard drive migration software

Just like this user, we will need to transfer data between different hard drives sometimes. The following are three common situations:

• Upgrade a hard drive. You may need to replace the HDD with an SSD or clone the SSD to a larger SSD.
• Replace a faulty hard drive and retrieve data.
• Buy a new computer and want to copy data from the old computer hard drive to the new computer.

To make the data transfer process easy and error-free, you will need reliable hard drive transfer software.

Benefits of using hard drive transfer software

1. Efficiency: Hard drive transfer software streamlines the process of transferring data between hard drives, saving you time and effort compared to manual methods.
2. Accuracy: These tools ensure the accurate transfer of data, minimizing the risk of errors or data loss during the transfer process.
3. Versatility: Many hard drive transfer software programs support various types of data transfers, including operating system migration, disk cloning, and file syncing, making them versatile solutions for different needs.
4. Automation: With automation features, such as scheduled backups and automatic synchronization, hard drive transfer software allows you to set up recurring tasks and streamline your workflow.
5. Ease of Use: Most hard drive transfer software comes with user-friendly interfaces and intuitive tools, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.

What makes the best hard drive mover?

If you search the Internet, there will be various disk cloning software for Windows 11/10/8/7 available. How to choose a tool that fits you best? The following factors should be taken into consideration:

Luckily, AOMEI Backupper Professional can meet all the demands mentioned above. All Windows PC operating systems including Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP are supported. If you are running Windows Servers, you may turn to the server edition.

1. Clone Any Disk: Easily clone HDDs or SSDs, regardless of their brand or capacity. It works for Samsung, WD, Seagate, and more.
2. Smart Cloning: Simple to clone hard drives with different sizes. It only copies the used parts of the drive, saving space.
3. Partition Editing: clone and resize the hard drive without leaving any unused space. Plus, it lets you convert disks from MBR to GPT or vice versa.
4. SSD Optimization: Designed for SSDs, this feature boosts performance, making reading and writing faster and extending the lifespan of your SSD.
5. Compatibility: Works with all Windows PC systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, and Vista.

Wanna know how to use AOMEI Backupper for hard drive migration? Get hard drive cloning software download and learn a stepwise guide below.

AOMEI Backupper

Easiest hard drive clone software for Windows PC.

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

How to transfer data from an HDD to an SSD step-by-step

Before you start, you should backup files on the destination drive, because the drive will be overwritten during the cloning process. Then, follow the instructions below to transfer everything (files, programs, and OS) from the old hard drive to an SSD:

Step 1. Connect the target SSD to your computer and make sure it is detected.

Step 2. Install and run the best HDD/SSD transfer software - AOMEI Backupper. Click “Clone” and select “Disk Clone”.

Note: If you want to migrate OS only to the destination SSD, you can use the System Clone feature.

Step 3. Select the current system disk as the source disk and click “Next”.

Step 4. Select the destination SSD you have connected to your PC and click “Next”.

Step 5. Tick “SSD Alignment” to improve the performance of the target SSD. Confirm the operation and click “Start Clone”.

>> Edit Partitions: you can resize partitions on the destination SSD as per your need. 
>> Sector by sector clone: it enables you to clone every sector on the source disk no matter whether it is used or not, thus making the “Edit Partitions” option unusable.

After the cloning process is finished, you can either change the boot order in BIOS or replace the current drive with the target SSD to boot from the target drive.

Method 2. Manually Make Hard Drive Transfer: Copy & Paste

If you don't have a lot of hard drive data to move, you may want to try manual copy-and-paste for file migration. But this approach doesn't work for your hard drive, which holds a lot of data.

For large file migrations, copying and pasting will waste a lot of time and effort. In addition, this method may also miss some data during the transfer process. And any interrupts can result in data loss. If the data being transferred is more important, we recommend that you use the previous method.

Here's how to transfer data from your old hard drive to a new one:

1. Prepare the New Drive: First, select or create an empty partition on the new drive where you want to save your data.

2. Copy Data from Old Drive: Open your old hard drive and select all the files by pressing Ctrl + A. Then, right-click to copy them.

3. Paste Data to New Drive: Paste the copied files onto the new drive.

Wait for the copying process to finish. But, it can be time-consuming and tedious to check if you've transferred everything correctly.

💡Useful tips for hard drive transfer on PC

👉 1. Backup Important Data:

Before any transfer, ensure you have a backup of crucial data. Use an external drive, cloud storage, or a reliable backup tool to safeguard your files.

👉 2. Organize and Clean Up:

Before transferring, declutter your data. Remove unnecessary files and organize the content to avoid transferring unwanted data.

👉 3. Check Compatibility:

Ensure the new drive is compatible with your PC. Check its interface (SATA, NVMe, etc.), size (2.5-inch, 3.5-inch), and if necessary, use an adapter or enclosure.

👉 4. Patience and Verification:

Transferring large amounts of data can take time. Be patient, and after the transfer, verify that everything was successfully moved and is accessible on the new drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Transfer a Hard Drive to Another Computer Without Losing Data?

Yes, you can transfer a hard drive to a new computer without losing data using the Universal Restore feature, also known as Dissimilar Hardware Restore. This feature lets you move a backup image from your old computer to a new one, even if they have different hardware setups.

2. Can I Just Copy and Paste One Hard Drive to Another?

While it's possible to copy and paste one hard drive to another. However, just like we mentioned in method 2, it's not always the best solution. The copied drive may not work properly on the new computer, especially if it has applications or the operating system installed. It's better to use proper migration tools or backup methods to ensure everything transfers smoothly.

3. Does Replacing a Hard Drive Wipe a Computer?

When you replace a hard drive with an SSD and clone the HDD to the SSD, all your data remains intact. However, if you simply remove the old hard drive and replace it with a new one, you'll lose access to your data. It's important to use proper transfer methods to keep your data safe during a hard drive replacement.

Wrapping things up

This tutorial covers the advantages of using hard drive transfer tools, two easy methods to efficiently transfer hard drives on Windows, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions about the process.
If you are looking for prime hard drive transfer software in Windows, you may consider the factors mentioned in this article. AOMEI Backupper can meet all your needs in regard to disk clones. Apart from the clone feature, AOMEI Backupper is a superb Windows backup utility. You can use it to create disk images or system images as necessary. Why not try it now?