How to Clone a PC

Want to clone PC? This article will explain how to clone a PC to a new drive or computer with a detailed guide, the best disk cloning tool, and tips for avoiding common pitfalls.

Cloning a PC allows you to create an exact copy of your operating system (OS), apps, and files, making it indispensable for disk upgrades, data backups, or system migration. To clone a PC means creating a copy of the PC's hard drive on another disk or computer. Whether you are moving to a faster SSD, replacing an old hard drive, or deploying systems on other PCs, this article covers everything you need to clone a PC safely and efficiently.

Prerequisites for PC Cloning

Before beginning the cloning process, gathering all necessary materials and preparing your system properly is essential. Here's what you'll need to clone your PC hard drive successfully:

Required Hardware

• Your source computer (the drive on the PC you want to clone)
• A destination disk with sufficient capacity (ideally an SSD equal to or larger than the source)
• A connection method (a SATA cable or hard disk docking station)
• For laptop users: A SATA-to-USB adapter or external drive enclosure
• Screwdrivers and other tools for desktop users

Software Requirements

• Download and install safe and reliable disk cloning software
• Windows 10 or 11 with current updates
• Administrative access to your PC

Other Steps

• A backup of important data
• Ensure your system is free of malware

Special Considerations When Cloning a PC

When you want to clone to a PC, special attention must be paid to several factors:

1️⃣Clone PC to another drive for upgrade/backup/system migration

If you just want to clone a PC hard drive to an external disk for data backup or disk upgrade, connect the disk to your PC and run disk-cloning software.

2️⃣Clone Windows 10 to Windows 11 PC

If your old PC runs Windows 10 and another PC runs Windows 11, to clone old PC to new PC, it depends:

• Clone Windows 10 to Windows 11 non-system disk. It will transfer Windows 10 onto it, and you will have 2 systems on the same PC, which is called dual boot.
• Clone Windows 10 to Windows 11 system disk. It will overwrite the Windows 11 on the target disk, and finally, you will only have Windows 10 on that disk.

3️⃣Transfer data from dead computer to new one

A dead computer does not mean its hard drive is dead. If the hard drive works fine, remove it from the old computer and attach it to a working one, then clone it to the hard drive on your new PC.

4️⃣Clone a failing hard drive from one PC to another PC

Yes, you can clone a failing hard drive, but it also depends. If the hard drive is severely damaged and your old PC cannot recognize it, it cannot be cloned. In this situation, try to clean install Windows on the new PC.

How to Clone a PC

Before starting the actual cloning process, proper preparation is crucial for success. Follow these detailed steps to prepare both your source and destination PCs or hard drives:

Part 1. Prepare Your Source Disk on your PC

This usually includes:

• Clean your Source Drive
• Connect your Destination Disk
• Verify Disk Recognition
• Ensure Target Drive Has Enough Space

For more detailed information on how to manage the disk before cloning, refer to:

Part 2. Select and Install Disk Cloning Software

Since Windows lacks a built-in disk cloning solution, you must clone a PC or a hard drive using third-party cloning software. Here are detailed reviews of the top 2 options:

#1. Clonezilla

Advantages:

• Open-source and free
• Support disk backup, clone, and partition
• One image restoring to various local devices

Limitations:

• No direct download
• No customer support
• Complex setup/interface

#2. EaseUS Disk Copy

Advantages:

• User-friendly interface
• Regular updates and all-weather tech support
• Clone hard disks quickly without sacrificing quality

Limitations:

• Paid to use

Part 3. Clone Your PC

Follow these detailed steps to clone your PC's hard drive to another using EaseUS Disk Copy.

➡️Initial Setup

1. Launch EaseUS Disk Copy
2. Verify both hard drives are recognized
3. Click Disk Mode

➡️Source Disk Selection

1. Choose your source disk
2. Select sector-by-sector copy if needed

➡️Destination Disk Selection

1. Select the drive connected to your PC
2. Adjust disk partition sizes if needed
3. Select the option if the target is SSD

➡️Start Cloning and Monitor

1. Click OK for the warning message
2. Start the cloning procedure
3. Keep computer powered
4. Monitor progress regularly

Part 4. Verify Cloned Drive

After the cloning process is complete, a thorough verification is essential. Follow the steps below:

• Check whether all files are transferred correctly and accurately, and check whether all file types can be opened correctly.
• Go to BIOS/UEFI to check whether your PC can boot from the new hard drive.
• Launch important apps to test system features and network connections.
• Run basic performance tests, check new drive speed and response, and monitor system resource usage to verify PC performance.

Part 5. Choose to Keep One Drive or Two Drives

If your laptop has 2 slots (a desktop usually has more than 2 slots), you can choose to retain 1 disk or 2 disks. If you want to keep one disk, you can replace the old drive with the new one and boot from it successfully. If you want to keep 2 hard drives on your laptop or desktop, you will have two system drives for dual boot, and you need to select one to boot every time you launch your PC. In this case, you can format your old drive and use it as your storage disk.

Troubleshooting Common Cloning Issues

You might encounter some issues after cloning a PC hard drive to another PC. Here is how to solve them:

Insufficient Storage Errors

Causes:

• Destination disk is too small
• System reserved space errors
• Hidden disk partitions not accounted for

Solutions:

• Clean source drive completely (remove unnecessary apps and files)
• Remove the hibernate file if necessary
• Resize the disk partitions if possible

Boot Failures

Causes:

• Incorrect boot partition/disk copying
• BIOS/UEFI configuration errors
• Driver compatibility issues

Solutions:

• Verify boot partition flags
• Update BIOS or UEFI settings
• Check the boot order in BIOS
• Rebuild BCD if necessary

Slow PC Performance

Causes:

• Incorrect hard drive connection
• Outdated drivers

Solutions:

• Verify the connection type (USB or SATA)
• Update all necessary drivers
• Check system power settings

Other Troubleshooting Tips:

Cloning a PC is a powerful way to upgrade hardware, safeguard data, or replicate systems. By choosing the right tools and following best practices, you can avoid pitfalls and ensure a smooth transition. For hassle-free cloning, EaseUS Disk Copy is the top recommendation for most users.