How to Move Windows to Another Drive (Two Tried & Efficient Ways)
- Run OS migration software and locate a new disk.
- Confirm to move Windows to the new drive via OS migration.
- Start moving Windows to the new drive.
- Configure Windows to boot from the new drive.
- Create a system image backup for Windows.
Start (or restart) your PC and continuously press the BIOS key to enter BIOS settings. Go to the "Boot" order tab. If using a Legacy BIOS motherboard, change the boot order to set the SSD as the first boot device. If the BIOS mode is UEFI, select the SSD as the boot drive.Method 1. Transfer Windows from one SSD to another with built-in utility
- Create a system image of Windows 10/11. Search for Backup settings in the search box and open it, then go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
- Connect the new SSD and boot it into advanced options.
- Restore Windows 10 system image to new SSD.
How to change boot drive : How to Change the Boot Order
- Step 1: Turn on or Restart Your Computer.
- Step 2: Enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
- Step 3: Find the Boot Order Options in BIOS.
- Step 4: Make Changes to the Boot Order.
- Step 5: Save Your BIOS Changes.
- Step 6: Confirm Your Changes.
- Step 7: Start the Computer.
How to transfer OS from HDD to SSD without reinstalling Windows
1. Remove Old OS HDD, Use SSD as Boot Drive on the PC
- Shut down your computer.
- Take out the OS HDD and leave the cloned SSD inside the PC.
- Then, reboot the PC, and the computer will automatically take SSD with migrated OS as the boot drive.
- Log in with your Windows password and let your PC boot up normally.
Can I transfer OS from HDD to SSD : Ideally, there are three ways to do this:
- You can use a cloning tool to copy your OS from HDD to SSD.
- You can create a system image of your PC and later restore it to your SSD.
- Also, you can download an ISO of your Windows and install it fresh on your new drive.
Without Cloning: How to Clean Install Windows 11/10/8/7 on SSD
- Go to Microsoft's official website and select "Create Windows 11 installation Media" and download it.
- Check the USB flash drive because we are creating bootable media.
- Click on the USB from the list.
- Now, Windows installation files will start downloading.
Use a cloning tool to copy the operating system from HDD to SSD. Create a system image of the PC and later recover it to an SSD. Download an ISO of your Windows operating system and install it fresh on a new SSD.
Does Windows have a migration tool
The User State Migration Tool (USMT) can be used to streamline and simplify user state migration during large deployments of Windows operating systems. USMT captures user accounts, user files, operating system settings, and application settings, and then migrates them to a new Windows installation.Moving operating system to new SSD – Step-by-Step
- Use a cloning tool to copy the operating system from HDD to SSD.
- Create a system image of the PC and later recover it to an SSD.
- Download an ISO of your Windows operating system and install it fresh on a new SSD.
Using Windows 10 Native Backup Application. Windows 10 comes with a legacy backup application that is used to backup and restore the system. With this, you can replace your hard drive without reinstalling Windows 10.
Yes, you will have to install your Windows if you replace your hard drive. But if you clone your hard drive to another drive, you do not need to reinstall Windows. This is because cloning allows you to replace a hard drive without reinstalling Windows.
Can you transfer OS from HDD to SSD without formatting : Yes, it is possible to transfer an operating system (OS) from a hard disk drive (HDD) to a solid-state drive (SSD) without formatting. This process typically involves cloning the contents of the HDD, including the OS, onto the SSD using disk cloning software.
Can I move Windows from HDD to SSD without reinstalling : Yes, cloning an SSD will copy all of the data from the source drive, including the operating system (OS) and all installed programs, files, and settings.
Can I transfer just Windows from HDD to SSD
The process of moving Windows 10 from HDD to SDD will involve using cloning tools to move the operating system files. Once it's complete, you will have both an OS powered by an SSD, and a spacious hard drive for data.
Migrating your Windows operating system from HDD to SSD will improve your PC's performance and ensure data protection. You can do so in two primary methods: Either clone the OS to SSD via third-party software, or. Install a fresh OS via a Windows bootable media.Remove Old OS HDD, Use SSD as Boot Drive on the PC
Shut down your computer. Take out the OS HDD and leave the cloned SSD inside the PC. Then, reboot the PC, and the computer will automatically take SSD with migrated OS as the boot drive. Log in with your Windows password and let your PC boot up normally.
Does Windows 10 have a built-in migration tool : Windows 10 includes a built-in migration tool called the Windows Easy Transfer (WET). WET is designed to help users transfer files, settings, and programs from their old computer to a new Windows 10 PC. It is an automated tool that makes it easy to transfer data from one computer to another.