How to Use Win32diskimager Clone SD Card vs An Easier Way

SD cards let you carry large quantities of data in a small device. Their size and storage ability makes them significant storage devices. The irony is that the compact size can be a major reason for losing the SD card. So, let us clone the SD to another location to save the data using Win32 Disk Imager. EaseUS will explain how to clone SD card Win32 Disk Imager procedure in detail.

What Is Win32 Disk Imager & Its Features

Win32 Disk Imager is a Windows program that writes a raw disk image to a removable device, such as a USB drive, SD memory card, CD, DVD, or other media. It is free to use and was developed by Gruemaster and Tuxinator2009. Let us see the main features of Win32 Disk Imager.

• Writes a raw disk image for a removable device (SD card, USB drive, etc).
• You can write/burn ISO images onto USB.
• The software is light (12MB) and easy to use.
• For cloning, you can use "Read Only Allocated Partitions" to copy used partitions.

Why do you need to clone an SD card？

SD card (Secure Digital card) is a removable device that helps you store data on a relatively small device. If you have data on an SD, here are two common reasons why people clone an SD card:

• Upgrade/Replace SD card: If you want to buy a new SD card with more capacity, you should clone the contents to the new one.
• Data Security: Due to its size, the chances of losing an SD card are high. For IOT devices, like Raspberry Pi, SD is preferred due to its size. So, you can clone SD card Raspberry Pi Win32 Disk Imager.

How to Clone SD Card with Win32diskimager

Let us see the step-by-step procedure to clone an SD memory card using Win32 Disk Imager.

Step 1. Download and install Win32 Disk Imager on your PC. Insert the SD card into the cardholder or reader.

Step 2. Open the Win32 Disk Imager. Under the Device option, select the SD card's drive letter.

Step 3. Now, click the blue folder icon below the "Image file." You must choose a location on your PC and name it to store the clone file. You must name the backup/clone file with the .img extension.

Step 4. Click on Read to clone the SD card. The time depends on the OS and the SD card's contents.

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Best Alternative to Win32DiskImager to Clone SD Card

The Win32 Disk Image is simple and effective for cloning an SD card, but you will often encounter Win32 Disk Imager not opening or having a working error. Apart from not supporting Windows 11, errors like "Cannot find the device", "clone SD card win32diskimager not working," and "Error 5: Access is denied" bother users. Therefore, it is better to use professional disk cloning software to clone an SD card.

EaseUS Disk Copy is a perfect Win32 Disk Imager alternative for cloning your SD card if you encounter such errors. It works for all Windows, including 11, and allows you to clone an SD card with 3 simple steps. You will have advanced algorithms and a streamlined approach to copy the SD card contents. It can help you transfer data from one SSD to another and migrate Windows from one hard drive to another easily.

It also has sector-by-sector clone technology, which can help you copy hard drive bit for bit. Download the Disk Copy for free and clone your SD now.

Prior Notice:

• The "Sector by sector copy" asks the size of your destination disk to be at least equal to or larger than that of the source disk. Leave this feature unchecked if you wish to clone a larger hard disk to a smaller hard disk.
• All data on the destination disk will be completely erased, so take care.

Step 1. To start copying/cloning an entire disk to another, choose this disk as the source disk under "Disk Mode" and click "Next".

Step 2. Choose the other disk as the destination disk.

Step 3. Check the disk layout of the two disks. You can manage the disk layout of the destination disk by selecting "Autofit the disk", "Copy as the source" or "Edit disk layout". 

• "Autofit the disk" makes some changes by default on the destination disk layout so that it can work at its best status.
• "Copy as the source"does not change anything on destination disk and the layout is the same as source disk.
• "Edit disk layout" allows you to manually resize/move partition layout on this destination disk.

Tick the "Check the option if the target is SSD" option to put your SSD in its best performance.

A message now appears, warning you that data will be lost. Please confirm this message by clicking "OK" and then click "Next".

Step 4. Click "Proceed" to officially execute the task.

To Sum Up

To clone SD card Win32 Disk Imager is a powerful solution. Although the software is simple, it does not give the desired results. You will end up facing issues like Win32 Disk Image not working, cannot find the device, and more. Just like Win32 Disk Imager, EaseUS Disk Copy clones the SD in three steps. The software also gives you more powerful options to migrate and secure your data. Try EaseUS Disk Copy!

FAQs on How to Copy SD Card with Win32diskimager

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on Win32 Disk Imager clone SD card.

1. How do I copy my SD card without a computer?

You can copy an SD card without a computer using an OTG cable. Android phones support transferring data from microSD cards using the OTG function. Find an SD card-compatible OTG cable and copy the SD card data.

2. Why is my SD card not being detected?

It cannot be recognized if the SD card is incompatible or damaged. Restart the device to check again, and try to find the file format to see if the  SD card is compatible.

3. How to image SD card with Win32DiskImager?

Lauch the Win32 Disk Imager app on your PC. Insert the SD card, select the SD card's drive letter, and save the location to image your SD card as a .img file.

4. How do I clone my SD card with Etcher?

Download the application and open it. To clone the SD card with Etcher, select the SD card images. Select Target to download the image and click on Clone.