How to Clone Windows 7 to Windows 10 [Quick & Easy Way]

Between Windows 7 and 10, there was Windows 8. However, usability issues and the mixture of bad design made it a bit unusable for many users. So, for many computer users around the world, the jump was from Windows 7 directly to Windows 10. If you're a user of Windows 7, then you would like to move all your files and settings into Windows 10 - to save time and hassle. So, how do you clone Windows 7 to Windows 10? And more importantly, why do you need to? Let's find out.

The release of Windows 10 was a massive success. An incredible UI design with many fixes and outstanding speed made a lot of people switch from Windows 8 quickly. However, the majority of the people were still using Windows 7 at the time.

So, trying to upgrade to Windows 10 required learning how to clone Windows 7 to Windows 10. The reason behind that is to ensure they don't lose their previous data, documents, and files stored in Windows 7 - including their settings and configs. So, let's keep digging to find out how to clone Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Why You Need To Clone Windows 7 To Windows 10

There are plenty of benefits of cloning a Windows to a newer one. When you fresh-install a new Windows, it boosts your computer's speed and gives your PC a fresh feeling. However, it also comes with a few drawbacks, such as:

• Having to reinstall each driver;
• Having to reinstall important software;
• Having to reconfigure Windows/system settings;
• Copying and moving files in C Drive, such as AppData, Documents, downloads, etc.

These are some of the common things you will have to face when you install a fresh Windows. However, you still need to install a newer version of Windows every now and then. So, why clone Windows 7 to Windows 10? Here's why:

• The official support for Windows 7 ended in January 2020 (end life);
• No technical assistance, driver upgrades, or upgrades from Microsoft or other manufacturers;
• No anti-virus update also means your computer is at risk of malicious content;
• Even Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) ended in January 2023.

These are some of the major reasons that tell you why you will have to clone Windows 7 to Windows 10. Therefore, you have no choice but to make the upgrade and jump to Windows 10 now.

Preparations Before Windows 7 To Windows 10 Cloning

Before you get started with the cloning process, it's imperative to save your important files. This is just in case the cloning process doesn't go as planned. Therefore, you will have to back up your data in advance. What will you do? Here are some tips:

• Copy everything from the Documents folder to a different location
• Copy Downloads and other folders that are in C Drive
• Backup other necessary data, i.e., your important apps, settings, configs, etc.
• Create a system image in case you wish to revert back to Windows 7

Doing this will ensure that you have a thorough backup if the cloning process fails. Besides that, you will also have to download a few things before you move to Windows 10, such as:

• Download drivers made for Windows 10 for your hardware
• Download specific new tools (32-bit or 64-bit tools)
• Sync your browser with an account (Firefox, Chrome, etc.)

Once you're done with all this, you can move forward with the cloning process.

[3 Easy Ways] Clone Windows 7 To Windows 10 Without Losing Data

Now that you have created a backup prepare to clone Windows 7 to Windows 10. There are various methods you can do this, including the good-old Backup and Restore method. However, we're going to talk about three specific ways of cloning Windows 7 to Windows 10 without losing data.

• Method 1. Clone Windows 7 to Windows 10 with EaseUS Disk Copy
• Method 2. Clone Windows 7 to Windows 10 Easy Transfer
• Method 3. Clone Windows 7 to Windows 10 with Backup and Restore

Each of these methods has its merits and might be suitable for one user or the other. So, let's get started with the best method first:

Method 1: Clone Windows 7 To Windows 10 With Easeus Disk Copy

The first method is to use a third-party tool that is reliable enough to clone Windows 7 to Windows 10 - or 11. And we're using EaseUS Disk Copy, as it's one of the leading and perhaps the best cloning software you can find today.

Before we talk about the cloning process, which is very simple and short, let's give you a few reasons to choose this tool over other software - and over other methods in this article. Here's why:

• Easily upgrade from one hardware to another, i.e., newer system, clone HDD to SSD, etc.
• A simple method to migrate the entire system from one PC to the next
• Migrate Windows 7 to 10 or 10 to 11 without losing any data
• Clone an older hardware - based PC to a new one without errors

These are some of the reasons that you should pick this tool/method to clone Windows 7 to Windows 10 without losing time or data. Download and use it to clone Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Here are the steps to clone with EaseUS Disk Copy:

Activate EaseUS Disk Copy for a smooth disk copying or cloning process.

1. Download, install and run EaseUS Disk Copy on your PC.
Click Disk Mode and select the source disk that you want to copy or clone. Click Next to continue.

2. Select the destination disk where you want to clone/copy the old disk and click Next to continue.
Click OK to confirm if the program asks to erase data on the destination disk.

3. Check and edit the disk layout as Autofit the disk, Copy as the source or Edit disk layout.
Autofit the disk is recommended.

• Copy as the source option will copy/clone the same layout of partitions on your source disk to the destination disk.
• Edit disk layout allows you to manually resize or move partition layout on the destination disk.
• If your destination disk is an SSD drive, do remember to tick Check the option if the target is SSD.

Click Proceed to start the disk cloning or disk copying process now.

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Method 2. Clone Windows 7 To Windows 10 Easy Transfer

The second method is to use Microsoft Windows Easy Transfer - which is an in-built tool in your Windows 7 that allows you to transfer files between PCs. However, you will need to have a USB or External drive. So once you have it or borrow one, connect it to your PC.

On Windows 7

Step 1. Press the Start button and type Windows Easy Transfer.

Step 2. In the next screen, click on Next.

Step 3. Click on An external hard disk or USB flash drive.

Step 4. In the next option, select This is my old computer.

Step 5. Let it finish scanning your PC.

Step 6. Select all the files that you wish to copy.

Step 7. Save the files to your USB/external hard drive, and wait for the transfer to finish.

Step 9. Click on Next when prompted, "Open Windows Easy Transfer on your new computer."

On Windows 10

Once you shut down your PC, install Windows 10 and wait until you're on the desktop. From there, you will repeat the process in Windows 10. Here's how:

Step 1. Open Windows Easy Transfer on your Windows 10 PC.

Step 2. Connect the external hard drive or USB.

Step 3. Select the same option as before.

Step 4. In the next option, select This is my new computer.

Step 5. Select Yes when prompted, and wait for the transfer to finish.

This will transfer your files to your new PC without having to reinstall everything.

Method 3. Clone Windows 7 To Windows 10 With Backup And Restore

The third method is to use the backup and restore option in Windows 7 to clone your files to a new PC. In order to do this, you'll also need an external/extra hard drive where you can place this backup for restoring later. So, here's how to create a backup first:

Step 1. Head into the Start menu and type Backup and Restore(Windows 7).

Step 2. In backup and restore, click on the Setup backup option.

Step 3. Select the external/internal hard drive where you wish to place the backup.

Step 4. In the next option, select what you wish to backup, click next to begin copying, and wait for it to finish.

Now, the next step is to restore these files to your Windows 10 PC. In order to do that, you will have to do the following:

Step 1. Open Control Panel, and find Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2. Click on Select another backup to restore files from.

Step 3. Locate the backup file.

Step 4. Check the Select all files from this backup option

Step 5. Select the place/location to restore your files, and wait for the restore to finish

This will ensure that your files are copied and restored from Windows 7 quite conveniently. It's important that you follow each step properly to save all the files that you need.

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The Bottom Line

There you have it, folks; the ways you can backup and restore your files to a Windows 10 PC. It's important when you clone Windows 7 to Windows 10 that you save what you need - as you will have to reinstall specific software such as drivers.

However, to avoid all that hassle, we suggest using EaseUS Disk Copy. This tool will ensure that all your important files are created into a backup and restored in your Windows 10 - without the hassle of all the other methods.

Clone Windows 7 to Windows 10 FAQS

If you still have questions, you'll find their answers in this section.

1. How do I transfer everything from my old Windows 7 computer to my new Windows 10 computer?

There are three methods that you can use. The first is to use the inbuilt Easy Transfer software in your Windows 7. In this tool, you will have to copy the files into an external USB drive and then move them to your Windows 10 PC.

The next method is to use backup and restore. However, the most convenient option is using EaseUS Disk Copy, as it prevents all the hassle of copying files from one PC to another.

2. Can I install Windows 10 over Windows 7 without losing data?

No, you cannot. You can upgrade to Windows 10 from within Windows 7, but that option is not reliable anymore since Microsoft doesn't provide support for Windows 7 anymore. It's better to back up all your data from Windows 7 and then do a fresh Windows 10 installation.

3. Can I wipe Windows 7 and install Windows 10?

Yes, you can. However, it's suggested that you back up all the important data before doing so.