SSD Clone or Clean Install? Detailed Comparison & Step Guide

Is it better to perform SSD clone or clean install when you plan to replace the old drive with an SSD? This article will introduce both in detail and help you make the right choice.

By @Yuka
Last Updated June 13, 2025

User Case: Clone Drive vs Fresh Install

“Hey all. I'm checking multiple sources about migrating Windows 10 from my HDD to a new SSD and I keep coming up confused. I want to use the SSD for my OS to make stuff faster, and also have some games on it for faster loading. And keep the majority of data like videos and whatnot on my HDD. It seems I have the option to either copy everything to my SSD or do a fresh install of Windows 10 on it. I have enough space on the SSD to accommodate everything currently on my HDD. I've heard it'd better to do a fresh install, but honestly I'm just interested in the option that is more straightforward and less confusing.”

– PCPARTPIKER

SSDs are up to 100 times faster than HDDs, offering quicker boot times, faster data transfer, and higher bandwidth. As a result, many users replace their HDDs with SSDs to upgrade the hard disk and boost overall computer performance.

When upgrading to an SSD, you’ll face two main options: cloning Windows 10 to the SSD or performing a clean install. Not sure which to choose? In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences to help you make an informed decision.

SSD Clone VS Fresh Install: Features and Differences

Both SSD clone and clean install will help you configure the Windows operating system and other data. Read on to understand the features and differences between the two.

Feature / Aspect	SSD Clone	Fresh Install
Definition	Copies entire contents (OS, apps, data) from old drive to SSD	Installs a clean version of OS on SSD from scratch
Time Required	Faster – typically 30-60 minutes	Slower – can take 1-3 hours plus extra time to reinstall apps
Windows & App Retention	Keeps OS, installed apps, and settings	You must reinstall Windows, drivers, and all apps manually
System Performance	Performance improves with SSD, but may carry old issues	Maximum performance and stability with a clean environment
Ease of Use	Easier with cloning software (e.g., AOMEI Backupper)	More complex, needs installation media and user setup
Data Loss Risk	Low if done correctly – all data retained	High – everything is wiped unless backed up beforehand

From the above brief introduction, both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

◈ If your current operating system and other software have no problems, and system files and other files perform well, SSD clone will be a better choice for you, which can save a lot of time and effort.
◈ However, if you are running a problem with the operating system or the old disk has bad sectors or a large number of cache files and harmful files, it is best to choose a clean install.

How to Perform SSD Clone or Clean Install

1. Clone Windows 10 to SSD

To clone Windows 10 to SSD, you need reliable disk cloning software to help you do this. Finding reliable software is more important than the cloning process itself. Because many users report that they have encountered many problems when cloning HDD to SSD. For example, the cloned SSD won’t boot, and the hard drive/SSD is cloned forever.

In this case, I recommend you to use AOMEI Backupper Standard to help you perform an SSD clone. It is all-in-one SSD cloning software for all Windows PC. With its help, you can get rid of the tedious work of transferring data, configuration settings, installed applications, and programs to a new drive. As a popular disk cloning software, it has some brilliant advantages below:

AOMEI Backupper

Best Free HDD/SSD Clone Software

Wide Compatibility: Supports a wide range of hard drives, including HDDs, SATA SSDs, NVMe M.2 SSDs, USB flash drives, SD cards, etc.
SSD Alignment: Improve SSD’s performance and prolong its lifespan if you clone to an SSD.
Secure Boot: You can boot the computer directly from the cloned hard drive.
Intelligent Clone: By default, it clones only used space on the original disk, so you can clone a large HDD to a smaller SSD.
Sector by Sector Clone: It allows you to clone every sector from the source to the destination.

Download Freeware
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

100% Secure

Learn how to clone Windows 10 to SSD through AOMEI Backupper from the tutorial below.

Notes✍:
◔ Cloning will overwrite all the content on the target drive, so if your target is a used SSD with some important files on it, please back up the files first.
◔ If your computer has only one SSD slot, you may also need to prepare a SATA-to-USB cable or M.2 SATA SSD to USB adapter according to your SSD type.

Step 1. Open AOMEI Backupper and install the SSD on your computer.

Step 2. Launch this free software and find the Clone tab on the left side of the program. Choose Disk Clone to clone your system disk containing Windows 10 to SSD.

✍Tip: The Standard version only supports cloning data disks. If you want to clone system disks, you need to upgrade to the professional edition. You can also use the System Clone feature in higher editions to clone only OS.

Step 3. Then select the original HDD you want to clone as the source disk and click Next.

Step 4. Select the SSD as the destination path to clone the source disk and click on Next.

Step 5. Then click SSD Alignment in the lower left corner of this program to increase the reading and writing speed of the SSD disk. Confirm all other settings and click Start Clone.

Tip✍:
Edit Partitions: If the target disk is larger than the source disk, you can use the feature to resize your disk automatically or manually. Please upgrade to the professional version to enjoy it.

2. Clean Install Windows 10 on SSD

In this part, I will show you how to clean install Windows on SSD. Before you start, you need to do some preparatory work.

Preparatory Work:
◉ Backup important files. A clean install will wipe out the hard drive and start from scratch. If there are some important files on SSD, please create a file backup according to your needs.
◉ Prepare a USB drive. The drive’s capacity should be large enough (at least 8GB).
◉ Unplug other disks. If your computer has more than one drive, the BIOS may recognize it incorrectly and not boot from the bootable USB drive.

Insert the USB flash drive into the PC. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool and launch it.
Run the Windows tool, and choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC. Then click Next and follow the guide to complete the installation.

Turn off the computer, open the case, and take out the original HDD. Insert the SSD into the drive bay. After the computer restarts, enter the BIOS, modify the boot sequence, and let the computer boot from the installation media just created.
When your computer boots from the installation media, select the language to install, the time and currency format you want, and the keyboard or input method. Then click Next to continue.

Then click Install Now, accept the license terms, and choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

Since you only have one new drive connected, you will see a screen below. Select Drive 0 Unallocated Space and click Next to install Windows 10 on SSD.

FAQs about SSD Clone or Clean Install

1. What is the main difference between cloning an SSD and performing a clean install?

Cloning an SSD copies all data, including the operating system, programs, and personal files, directly from the old drive to the new one. A clean install, on the other hand, involves wiping the drive and installing a fresh copy of Windows, requiring you to reinstall all software and drivers.

2. Can I clone my old HDD to an SSD with different storage sizes?

Yes, you can clone from an HDD to an SSD with a smaller or larger storage size. However, if the SSD is smaller, the cloning software typically copies only the used space, ensuring the data fits. If the SSD is larger, you may need to resize partitions, which can be done using certain cloning software features.

3. Will cloning Windows 10 to an SSD fix performance issues?

Cloning Windows 10 to an SSD can improve boot times and general system responsiveness, but if the underlying problem is with the operating system itself (e.g., corruption, outdated drivers), cloning alone may not resolve those issues. A clean install may be a better choice in such cases.

Final Words

After reading this article, do you know whether to choose SSD clone or clean install? In summary, if your Windows operating system performs well, you can choose an SSD clone to save your time and effort. Otherwise, if your old disk has problems that affect normal operation, you should choose a clean install.

AOMEI Backupper not only provides you with cloning functions, but also embeds other powerful functions such as backup, synchronization, and recovery. You can use it to easily protect your computer system and data. If you upgrade to the professional edition, you can use it to clone OS to M.2 SSD with just a few clicks. Download and try it now!