How to Clone 128GB SSD to 256GB SSD on Windows 11/10/8/7

Jean updated on Nov 15, 2024 to Disk/Partition Clone | How-to Articles

To clone 128GB SSD to 256GB SSD on Windows 11/10/8/7 without data loss, read this article for comprehensive instructions, including preparation work, cloning steps, and guides on how to boot from the cloned drive.

After a period of use, an aged solid-state drive may run out of storage and slow down the computer's speed. To get more disk space and boost the computer's performance, users would like to replace their old SSD with a new and bigger SSD.

Considering the budget and file size, many users have bought a 128GB SSD at first and then want to replace it with a 256GB, 512GB, or larger SSD.

It is best to clone 128GB SSD to 256GB SSD or larger SSD since this method ensures no data loss and guarantees a 1:1 replica. Follow EaseUS to get a quick start now.

Preparations Before Cloning 128GB SSD to 256GB SSD

Before cloning SSD to SSD on Windows 11/10/8/7, make sure you have done the following preparations to clone SSD to larger SSD:

➤ 1. Get a suitable target SSD drive

  • Make sure the target SSD drive is larger than the source one. Here, you should select 256GB or larger sizes.
  • Initialize the SSD first if it is newly bought. Only when the disk is initialized can it be used to store data.
  • Backup SSD to external hard drive if data was stored on it before. The cloning method will overwrite all data on it.
  • Choose the types (SATA SSD, M.2 SSD, NVMe SSD, or PCIe SSD) and brands (Samsung, SanDisk, Western Digital, or others) you like.

➤ 2. Obtain a SATA to USB cable or SSD adaptor

  • For computers, there usually are two slots for you to insert both the 128GB SSD and 256GB SSD alongside. If not, use a SATA to USB cable to connect the target SSD to the computer.
  • For laptops, if there is only one slot, connect the destination SSD to your laptop with a SATA to USB cable or SSD adaptor.

➤ 3. Prepare a screwdriver

It would help if you had a screwdriver to insert the SSD into the computer case or replace the smaller SSD with a larger one.

➤ 4. Download the best SSD drive cloning software

Since Windows does not have a built-in cloning utility, you need reliable disk cloning software - EaseUS Disk Copy - to clone 128GB SSD to 256GB, clone 256GB SSD to 500GB SSD, clone 256GB SSD to 1TB SSD, or clone SSDs of different sizes.

Download now to enjoy a seamless disk clone process.

Key features of EaseUS Disk Copy:

 

Clone 128GB SSD to 256GB SSD: Step-by-Step

After downloading the EaseUS Disk Copy, it is time to clone 128GB SSD to 256GB SSD. Continue with the following steps.

Step 1: Choose "Disk mode" and select the smaller hard drive as the source disk.

Step 2: Choose the bigger hard drive to save the data and then click "Next".

Step 3: Edit the disk layout and then click "Proceed" to continue.

  • "Autofit the disk" resize the layout on destination disk according to the size of it to make the disk as the best status.
  • "Copy as the source" doesn't change anything on destination disk and the layout is same as source disk.
  • "Edit disk layout" allows you to manually resize/move partition layout on this destination disk.

Step 4: A warning message tells you that the data on the destination disk will be overwritten. Click "OK" to continue if you do not have important data on the destination disk.

Step 5: Wait for the process to complete.

Boot PC from the Cloned SSD Drive

If you clone boot drive to a larger SSD, you must change the boot sequence after cloning. Here are the steps to set your cloned solid-state drive as the boot drive:

Step 1. Restart your computer, press F2/F8/F10/Del or other hotkeys, and enter the BIOS setup interface.

Step 2. Use the arrow keys to locate the boot option. Here, we select the Boot Priority option or a similar one.

Step 3. Use the + or keys on your keyboard and select your cloned SSD as the boot device.

Step 4. Press F10/F8/F2 to save the changes. Then, restart your system.

Step 5. When the computer starts, log into your account, and you can use everything on the new SSD now.

Conclusion

If you resort to a reliable disk cloning tool, it can be easy to clone 128GB SSD to 256GB SSD on Windows 11/10/8/7. Given that Windows does not have default cloning utilities, using EaseUS Disk Copy can provide you with the smoothest and most successful cloning process, ensuring the best result.

With EaseUS Disk Copy, you can clone drives of different sizes without data loss. No OS and program reinstalling is required. Download it to your computer and make your cloning process easier than ever.

Clone 128GB SSD to 256GB SSD FAQs

Here are four questions about cloning a 128GB SSD to a 256GB SSD. We hope you can find useful messages here.

1. Can I upgrade 128 GB to 256 GB?

Yes, you can. To upgrade a 128GB SSD to a 256GB SSD, you must clone your old 128GB SSD to a new 256GB SSD with a third-party disk cloner. Here, we recommend EaseUS Disk Copy.

After you clone SSD drive, please replace the 128GB SSD with the 256GB SSD and set the 256GB SSD as the boot drive. If you use EaseUS Disk Copy to do this task, you don't need to reinstall Windows and programs. It's a 100% safe boot.

2. Can you clone a larger hard drive to a smaller SSD?

Yes, you can. To clone larger drive to smaller drive, you need make sure the used space on the source drive is smaller than the capacity of the target SSD. Then, you can use EaseUS Disk Copy to clone used sectors only.

3. Is it worth upgrading from 128GB to 256GB?

It depends on your budget and data storage needs. Upgrading disks from 128GB to 256GB will cost extra money but can also increase disk space and boost computer performance. If you need more space to store data and want to speed up Windows, upgrading the disk from 128GB to 256GB or larger sizes is a good choice.