How-to-guide: Macrium Reflect Clone SSD to larger SSD

Explore the full guide to clone an SSD to a larger SSD with Macrium Refelect. One best alternative tool is offered for complement.

Maggie

By Maggie Updated on February 29, 2024

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User case:

“Hi guys, I am cloning my SSD to a larger SSD using Macrium Reflect. I increased the size for the C drive on the "clone to" device. The clone worked and the drive boots up but the C drive is still maxed out and full at about 100 GB and it seems to have created a separate drive with the remaining 900 GB from the new 1TB ssd. How do I get the majority of the storage space onto the C drive? Thanks."

Generally, you might considering replacing your SSD due to various reasons like inadequate storage space, boot running performance and so on. If you are considering using Macrium Reflect clone SSD to larger SSD, you can refer to the below full and simple guide.

Can I clone an SSD to a larger SSD?

Yes, you can clone an SSD to a larger SSD. Cloning involves making an exact copy of one drive onto another. This process preserves all data, applications, and settings from the original drive. Before you do, do some preparations:

1. Backup Important Data: Before you start, it's always a good idea to back up any important data on your current SSD just in case anything goes wrong during the cloning process.

2. Select Cloning Software:There are several third-party cloning software options available, such as Clonezilla, Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper, and Acronis True Image. Choose one that suits your needs and download/install it.

3. Connect the New SSD: Install the larger SSD into your computer. You can typically connect it via SATA cable for desktops or using an external enclosure or USB adapter for laptops.

4. Set New SSD as Boot Drive (if necessary): If you intend to use the new SSD as your boot drive (where the operating system is installed), you may need to set it as the primary boot device in your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings.

5. Format Old SSD (Optional): Once you've confirmed that everything is working as expected on the new SSD, you can choose to format the old SSD for additional storage or repurpose it as needed.

Remember to double-check all steps and ensure that you have a reliable backup of your data before proceeding with any disk cloning operation.

How to use Macrium Reflect free clone to larger SSD

To clone your old SSD to a larger one, follow these steps:

1. Connect the larger SSD to your computer or laptop and ensure it's recognized.

2. Download and launch Macrium Reflect.

3. Select the "Create backups" tab from the top-left corner, then choose the "Local disks" tab.

4. Locate and check the old SSD you wish to clone, then select "Clone this disk..."

5. Click "Select a disk to clone to..." and choose the larger SSD as the destination disk.

6. Drag and drop the partitions from the old SSD to the destination drive.

7. Tap "Next" once all partitions have been transferred to the destination drive.

8. Review the summary of what you're going to clone, then click "Finish" and "OK".

While Macrium Reflect is a popular choice for HDD/SSD cloning, it involves several steps and may have a complicated interface, which could be challenging for beginners. Therefore, we suggest EaseUS Disk Copy as a simpler and more user-friendly alternative for disk cloning tasks.

Best alternative: free clone SSD to larger SSD [secure boot]

To replace clone smaller SSD to larger SSDMacrium Reflect, reliable cloning software is essential. AOMEI Backupper Professional offers a user-friendly solution for cloning your existing drive to a larger SSD, ensuring all your data, settings, and applications are preserved.

  • Intelligent cloning. Intelligent enough to clone only the used space on the source disk to the target SSD, optimizing storage utilization and preventing unnecessary data duplication.
  • MBR/GPT disk cloning support. Clone disks between MBR and GPT partition styles, which ensures compatibility and enables a smooth cloning process regardless of the partition style used.
  • 4K partition alignment. Aligns partitions on the target SSD properly, optimizing performance and maximizing the potential of your SSD.
  • VSS technology. The cloning process operates seamlessly in the background, allowing users to continue using their computer without interruption, i.e. hot clone.
  • Widely compatible. All mentioned popular SSDs are supported. Compatible with NVMe and M.2 interface. Work smoothly on the latest Windows 11.

Here's a step-by-step guide on safely cloning your system disk to a larger SSD using AOMEI Backupper:

Preparations:

- Connect the target SSD to your computer and ensure it's detected.

- Backup important files from the target SSD as it will be overwritten.

- Download AOMEI Backupper on your computer and install it.

AOMEI Backupper

Easiest SSD cloning software for personal use.

Step 1: Install and launch AOMEI Backupper Professional on your computer.

Step 2: Navigate to the "Clone" tab and select "Disk Clone."

Disk Clone

Step 3: Choose the smaller SSD as the source disk and click "Next."

Select Source Disk

Step 4: Select the larger SSD as the destination disk and click "Next."

Start Clone

Step 5: Optionally, enable "SSD Alignment" for optimal performance.

Start Clone

Step 6: Click "Start Clone" to begin the SSD cloning process. Now you have use AOMEI Backupper to replace Macrium Reflect clone disk to larger disk successfully.

Tip: To avoid unallocated space after cloning, utilize the "Edit Partitions" feature during the cloning process. You can choose to "Add unused space to all partitions" or "Manually adjust partition size" for a seamless and efficient cloning experience.

Edit Partitions

 

Summary

Now you have a clear idea on how to use Macrium Reflect clone SSDto larger SSD. If you are tired of using this software, try AOMEI Backupper!

AOMEI Backupper Professional provides a dependable SSD cloning solution with practical features. This method is also suitable for cloning M.2 SSDs to larger M.2 SSDs. Download now to discover more.

Maggie
Maggie · Editor
Maggie is a technical editor from AOMEI and troubleshoots technical problems against data protection. She has received professional and systematic technical training. With a focus on user experience, security, and problem-solving, she always puts herself in the readers' shoes and provides them with valuable technical insights.