Whether you’re moving your Windows operating system (OS) to a different drive or migrating from a traditional hard drive (HDD) to a solid-state drive (SSD), understanding how to move OS to another drive is crucial. This post provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for OS migration on Windows 10/11.
- OS migration does not mean simply dragging and dropping the system files from one drive to another, which may cause the Windows system to be unable to function.
- Cloning is the best way to help you move your operating system to another drive, it involves copying the operating system, system settings, installed software, etc.
- For your information, there is no pre-installed cloning tools on Windows computers that allow you to directly copy Windows OS to another drive. The only way to do this is to use a third-party cloning software.
How to Move OS to Another Drive on Windows 10/11
To ensure a smooth OS migration and secure boot from the new drive, please follow the steps below.
Part 1. Preparations for Migrating OS to Another Drive
Before initiating the OS migration process, it’s essential to undertake the following preparations:
- Select the Right Destination Drive: Choose a new drive (SSD or HDD) that meets your storage needs and is compatible with your system. Ensure it has sufficient capacity to accommodate your current OS and data.
- Backup Important Data: While the migration process is designed to preserve your data, it’s always prudent to back up essential files to an external drive or cloud storage as a precaution.
- Connect The New Drive: For desktops, install the new drive internally using available SATA or NVMe slots. For laptops, use a USB-to-SATA adapter or an external enclosure to connect the new drive.
- Find Reliable OS migration software: To move Windows to another drive without losing data and ensure a secure boot after cloning, you could choose reliable and specialized disk clone software like AOMEI Cloner.
Part 2. How to Clone OS to Another Drive
AOMEI Cloner stands out due to its reliability, efficiency, and comprehensive features tailored for OS migration. Except for System Clone for transferring only the Windows operating system, it also offers Disk Clone to copy your entire bootable drive, like cloning C drive to SSD, and Partition Clone to copy specific partitions.
With this tool, you don’t need to worry about differences in disk size, disk type (HDD/SSD) or partition style (MBR/GPT). When cloning to an SSD, it is able to optimize the SSD performance and prolongs its lifespan during the process. Designed for users of all experience levels, it ensures a straightforward migration process.
Step 1. Connect your new disk to computer. Then, download and run AOMEI Cloner. This software is available on Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista and all Windows Servers.
Step 2. On the main interface, click on Clone in the left pane, then select System Clone.
Step 3. The software will automatically detect and select your current OS partitions as the source. Choose the new drive you’ve connected as the destination. Finally, tap on Start Clone to move OS to another drive hassle-free.
- Make full use of disk space: If you are cloning OS to a larger drive, it helps to extend the size of your system partition to ensure a seamless system boot.
- SSD Alignment: If migrating to an SSD, check this option to optimize performance.
- Sector By Sector Clone: If you want an exact copy of all sectors on the source partition(s), select this option. Otherwise, it will run in Intelligent Clone to copy only used space.
Part 3. Boot Windows from the Clone New Drive
After successfully migrating your OS, you’ll need to boot your system from the new drive:
Step 1. Restart your computer and press the designated key (commonly F2, F10, DEL, or ESC) during startup to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.
Step 2. Navigate to the Boot tab. Set the new drive as the primary boot drive.
Step 3. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Now Your system would be booted from the new drive.
FAQs about OS Migration to New Drive
#1. What is OS migration software?
OS migration software is a specialized tool designed to transfer an operating system from one storage device to another. It ensures that all system files, settings, and applications are accurately cloned, allowing the new drive to function identically to the original.
#2. Can I transfer my OS from HDD to SSD?
Yes, transferring your OS from an HDD to an SSD is a common practice to enhance system performance. Using migration software, you can clone your existing OS to the SSD, ensuring faster boot times and improved responsiveness.
#3. How do I move my entire OS to another drive?
To move your entire OS to another drive:
- Connect the new drive to your computer.
- Use OS migration software like AOMEI Cloner to clone your current OS to the new drive.
- Set the new drive as the primary boot device in BIOS/UEFI.
- Restart your computer to boot from the new drive.
In the End
That’s all about how to move OS to another drive. With the right tool and guidelines, you can seamlessly transition to faster or larger storage without the hassle of reinstalling Windows and all your applications. AOMEI Cloner offers a reliable and user-friendly solution to achieve this, ensuring data integrity and minimal downtime.
