How to Use DISM to Clone Disk vs One Easiser Way

DISM clone disk is a lesser-known functionality of the DISM software. The post details the process of cloning a disk to a new one using the DISM commands and introduces an easier alternative to safely clone a disk.

DISM commands help you service Windows images and repair system images like WindowsRE, WinPE, Windows setup, and local recovery images. The powerful Windows command lets you clone the disk to make a replica. If you want to know how to create a DISM clone disk, follow the guide from EaseUS below to know the detailed procedure and a more accessible alternative.

An Overview of DISM Command

DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management and is a command-line program to prepare and service Windows images. The software's function includes images used for Windows Recovery Environment, Windows setup, and Windows PC. Users can also leverage the servicing Windwos images feature for files like Windows image (.wim) or a virtual hard disk (.vhd or .vhdx).

DISM is built into the Windows OS and is available through the Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell. It is mainly used to check for damaged or faulty system files for repair or set them to default. DISM, along with SFC (system file checker), are handy commands for fixing system file issues on the Windows PC. 

Many people are not familiar with DISM commands, but Windows users can use them to copy data from one disk to another. There is a lot of talk around this topic because DISM commands are not conventionally used for cloning. The complexity of the process makes it difficult for DISM to achieve efficacy. So, you rely on professional cloning tools like EaseUS Disk Copy. 

Clone Hard Disk with EaseUS Disk Copy

Actually, the DISM command just makes a copy of your original hard drive to another. If your original disk is your system drive, it may not work as usual. Worse still, the complicated cloning process and the fear of data loss often call for a more secure and reliable method to clone the hard disk.

EaseUS Disk Copy is a simple and secure cloning tool that can clone hard disks at lightning-fast speeds. The software works with all SSDs and creates an exact clone of the source drive. You select the source and destination drive, and the software takes care of the rest. It lets you transfer data from one SSD to another without losing data and reinstalling Windows OS.

Disk Copy is a complete disk cloning tool that allows you to safeguard your data. Additionally, the software can transfer data, upgrade the OS, and effectively create local backups. It lets you copy your C drive to a new drive easily and quickly. Download Disk Copy now and clone your hard drive with easy and simple steps.

Here is how to use EaseUs disk clone software to clone a hard disk.

Step 1. Download, install and run EaseUS Disk Copy on your PC.

Click "Disk Mode" and select the hard drive that you want to copy or clone. Click "Next" to continue.

Step 2. Select the destination disk.

Note: The destination disk should be at least the same big or even larger than the source disk if you want to copy or clone the source hard disk.

Step 3. Check and edit the disk layout.

If your destination disk is an SSD drive, do remember to Check the option if the target is SSD.

Step 4. Click "OK" to confirm if the program asks to erase data on the destination disk.

Step 5. Click "Proceed" to start the hard drive cloning process.

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How to Clone a Hard Drive Using DISM

DISM clones a hard drive in two phases. Phase one includes capturing the image of the source disk and applying the image on the destination is completed in phase 2. Find the commands and procedure to perform the DISM clone a hard drive below.

Note: Working with disk images and cloning disks is prone to data loss if the process is improper. Safeguard your data by backing up the disk.

🚩Stage 1. Prepare to capture partition on source disk

Below is a set of commands you need to execute to prepare before you try to capture the image of the source disk. Make sure to replace the disk and drive letters properly.

• diskpart
• list disk
• select disk X (Replace X with the specific number of the primary hard disk)
• list partition
• select partition=N (Replace N with the partition drive letter)
• assign letter=B (Assign the partition a letter of your choice)
• exit

🚩Stage 2. Capture the image of the Source drive

Step 1. Press the Windows icon, search for PowerShell, and open it with admin privileges. Click OK if the UAC window pops up.

Step 2. Now, paste the below DISM command to capture the image of the entire disk.

• Dism /Capture-Image /ImageFile:C:\my-clone-partition.wim /CaptureDir:C:\ /Name:"My Clone partition"

You need to make some changes to the command based on your requirements:

• Replace C:\my-clone-partition.wim with the file name and path of the disk image.

• Replace C:\ with the source drive letter.

• Replace "My Clone partition" with the disk image's name.

🚩Stage 3. Save the images to the network or a safe location.

Step 1. To move the image to a network or safe location, connect an external drive or use a network location. The below command helps you move the image to the network:

• net use W: \\PC_Name\ShareName

Step 2. Enter the network credentials if the system prompts.

Step 3. Once connected, use the below commands to copy the partitions to the network.

• md N:\Images\
• copy C:\my-clone-partition.wim N:\Images\
• copy C:\my-system-partition.wim N:\Images\

🚩Stage 4. Apply the image on the new drive

Once you capture the image, apply it to the destination disk.

• Dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:N:\Images\my-clone-partition.wim /Index:1 /ApplyDir:W:\

Make changes to the command based on your requirements:

• Replace N:\Images\my-clone-partition.wim with the disk image's path on the destination drive.
• Replace 1 with the index of the WIM file (usually the index if the image file is 1).
• Replace W:\ with the destination drive letter.

The CLI starts the cloning process and applies the Windows image to the selected partition on the destination disk.

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To Wrap Things Up

After reading the process of disk cloning through DISM, you already know why DISM is not preferred to make clones of your hard drive. The DISM clone disk method is complicated and requires you to give attention to detail to smoothen the process. Learn how to use the DISM clone disk commands from the post. If you find the process complicated, get the EaseUS Disk copy to ease the entire process. Select the source and destination disk; you will have your clone ready in minutes. Additionally, you can also leverage backup and restoration features to protect your data.

FAQs on Use DISM to Clone Disk 

Here are some frequently asked questions about DISM clone disk commands.

1. Does Windows have a built-in hard drive cloner?

Windows Backup and Restore is a built-in Windows tool to create a copy of hard drives. The method does not necessarily create a clone but utilizes the image to create a clone on the hard drive if the destination drive size is larger than the source.

2. How can I clone a Windows 10 disk onto a larger disk?

If you are well-versed with CLI tools, you can clone Windows 10. A simple way is to create a Windows 10 clone with a professional tool like EaseUS Disk Copy.

3. How to use DISM to make a backup of a drive?

Capture the image of the source drive using the DISM commands and apply it on the destination drive to make a backup of the drive.

4. What software do you use for cloning a hard drive?

There are multiple software tools to clone a hard drive:

• EaseUS Disk Copy
• Clonezilla
• Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office