The biggest problem is not disassembling the case to install a new drive, but rather how to seamlessly transfer your operating system, installed applications, and personal data for a seamless plug-and-play experience when you upgrade a computer's disk to a larger, faster one. If you're currently struggling with it, check out this guide.
Here, we've provided four methods to migrate the OS to SSD or HDD. Choose the one that best suits your needs.
Instead of Reinstalling It, Why Should You Transfer the OS to A New Drive?
Whether you're upgrading a HDD to an SSD for a faster response or want more capacity, you have two choices: move your existing operating system or install a brand new one. Once you understand the benefits of the former, you have your own answer.
🧑💻 Maintain your previous usage habits and minimize downtime. Reinstalling the system is like rearranging a room before moving in, while migration is like moving right in.
🔰 Completely clone existing applications and their settings to the new hard drive. It is helpful for users with complex configurations or those who prefer specific versions of applications.
⚠️ Avoid new incompatibility issues caused by reinstalling the operating system.
📉 Reduce the data loss or data corruption possibilities, especially the easily ignored data, such as browser history and game saves.
Must-Dos Before Operating System Migration
Good preparation makes migration proceed quite smoothly and safely. To ensure you get everything right, please do as follows:
💽 Identify what type of hard drive interface your motherboard supports, such as SATA or NVMe (standard interfaces for desktops are SATA 3.0 or NVMe M.2. Common interfaces for laptops are M.2 SATA or NVMe). Then, choose an appropriate one.
📤 Under normal circumstances, although moving the OS to a new drive will not cause data loss, it's best to back up important files on your Desktop, Documents, and Downloads to an external disk or cloud storage in case of risk.
🧰 If your system is experiencing lag, frequent blue screens, or other issues, they will appear after the migration. Therefore, please use the System File Checker tool to repair damaged or missing system files before the OS migration. You can check this guide.
✅ Use a cleanup tool, like CCleaner, to remove junk files, update the system, caches, and more. It can save storage space on new hard drives and reduce the time required for migration. In addition, it is also a good idea to defragment the old disk.
How to Migrate OS to SSD/HDD Via Software
The primary purpose of computer applications is to help users improve productivity and reduce the chance of making mistakes. It's a complicated process to move the operating system to another drive. Any unexpected error could render your efforts ineffective or even render your computer unbootable.
Using a tool to migrate the OS to a new drive is the first choice for most users. While there are many software programs designed specifically for the purpose, choosing the right one can be challenging and time-consuming. If you haven't used this type of software before, we recommend two options: iBeesoft Disk Partition Wizard and Clonezilla.
Option 1: iBeesoft Disk Partition Wizard
iBeesoft Disk Partition Wizard is the most reliable and straightforward software solution for transferring an operating system to a new drive. It not only offers two methods for migrating your OS, but also allows you to adjust the partition size flexibly. In this way, you'll never have to worry about running out of space in your system partition again. Choose the appropriate migration method based on your needs.
Method 1: Only Migrate the Operating System and Programs
As the name suggests, this method is suitable for you when you want to continue using the old hard drive to store your original personal data.
Connect the new SSD or HDD to your computer.
Download iBeesoft Disk Partition Wizard and install it in the same way you install any other application. Be sure to install it on your old hard drive. Once the installation is complete, open it.
Select "Disk Clone" in the menu on the left side of the page.
Select "Migrate OS" and click "Next."
Select the destination disk you want to transfer the OS to, and then click "Next."
Select a migration method. When it is ready, click "Start."
Use the recommended layout: use the entire new drive as the system volume.
Clone as the source: to allow you to create new partitions later as needed, you should keep the system volume remaining the same size as the original drive, and the rest of the storage space is left as unallocated.
iBeesoft Disk Partition Wizard will automatically move the OS to a new drive, and you don't need to take any action. The time varies depending on the number of installed applications and data.
Method 2: Clone the Entire Operating System Hard Drive
This method will transfer all personal data to the new drive and automatically adjust the partition size. The steps are similar to the above process, except that you'll need to select "Clone OS Disk" in step 4 and follow the instructions.
Option 2: Clonezilla
Our final recommended system migration tool is Clonezilla. It's an open-source tool. It will meet your needs provided you can handle its complex user interface.
To migrate the OS to a new drive for free, please follow these steps:
Prepare a blank USB drive and connect it to your computer.
After downloading Clonezilla, then use Rufus to write its ISO file to this flash drive.
Find the key to enter BIOS setup based on the brand of your motherboard, usually "F2", "F10", or "Del". After restarting your computer, press it continuously.
Go to the "Boot" or "Startup" menu. Select the USB drive, then save and exit.
When you see Clonezilla, press Enter.
Select "Default Language" > "Start Clonezilla" > "Disk to Local Disk" > "Source Disk" > "Destination Disk".
Enter "Y" as required to continue.
How to Transfer the OS to a New Drive Without Using Software
Microsoft has built a system migration tool in the Windows OS. The principle is simple: create an image of your current system and then restore it to a new hard drive. Here are the detailed steps:
Open File Explorer, and type "C:\Windows\System32\control.exe" in the address bar and press Enter.
In Control Panel, click "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" in the under menu of the "System and Security" menu.
Choose "Create a system image" in the menu on the left. In the pop-up dialog box, select an external hard drive to save the backup and click "Next."
Click "Next" in the next window. If you would like the system image to include data from other partitions, select the options accordingly.
After confirming the backup location and the drives it will include, click "Start backup" and wait for the process to complete.
Follow the instructions on this page to create a bootable USB media.
Restart your computer and enter the BIOS. After that, choose to boot from the USB drive.
When you see the installation screen, click "Next" > "Repair your computer" > "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "System Image Recovery".
Select the system image you have just created and click "Next". Then, follow the instructions to migrate the OS image file.
Tips on What to Do with Your Old Hard Drive after the Migration
🗃️ Use the old hard disk as a storage drive to save large files, such as videos, pictures, and documents.
⏏️ Purchase a rugged drive enclosure to make it a portable hard drive.
🧼 If you will not use the hard drive anymore, erase the hard drive to obliterate data with a file erasing tool to prevent privacy leaks. You know, data removed by ordinary deletion and formatting can be recovered with data recovery software.
Must-Knows: When Should You Reinstall the Operating System Instead of Migrating?
While migrating the OS to an SSD or HDD allows you to get back to work or play quickly, it's not a perfect solution for upgrading your hard drive. Reinstalling your operating system is preferable to migrating your system in the following situations.
⚠️ Your system is inexplicably slow, frequently freezes, or even displays a blue screen, and you can't troubleshoot it using standard troubleshooting methods. Reinstalling the operating system can prevent these problems from happening again.
💻 While upgrading your hard drive, you replaced the motherboard. Old hardware drivers may be incompatible with the new motherboard, causing your computer to become unbootable after the migration.
🆕 You want a fresh configuration or setup, and there are many unused applications.
📈 Your old operating system has been used for years, and you have frequently uninstalled and installed applications. It can lead to a bloated registry, and the same problem may occur after the migration.
Summary
These are four methods for transferring your OS to a new drive. While it's possible to use the built-in system image recovery to do it, it is complex and time-consuming for users. Therefore, if you prefer a more straightforward and faster method, try iBeesoft Disk Partition Wizard. Furthermore, it can help you resize partitions, convert file systems, and scan for damaged sectors. With it, you can maximize the performance of your new hard drive more efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
First, identify the problem, and then try the corresponding solution below.
The new drive is not set as the primary boot drive. In this case, enter the BIOS and change the boot order.
The new disk's partitioning mode does not match the boot mode. MBR format boots in Legacy mode, while GPT boots in UEFI mode. If the hard drive's partitioning mode and boot mode do not match, Windows will not boot. In this case, you will also need to enter the BIOS and set the correct boot mode based on the hard drive's partitioning.
The primary partition is not set as the active partition. The active partition on a hard drive is the primary partition. The computer's operating system startup files are located in the primary partition, and the computer boots from this partition. If the system partition is not set as the active partition, the system will not boot. In this case, you only need to use a command to change the active partition.
It depends on the migration method you choose and the amount of data saved there. For example, using iBeesoft Disk Partition Wizard, migrating the operating system to a new drive only takes a few hours.
One of the most significant risks is system failure to boot or data loss. Don't worry. As long as you follow the correct process and avoid unexpected power outages, the problems will not happen.
Yes, provided the storage space occupied by the current system and applications is smaller than the capacity of the target drive.