Cloning a hard drive is one of the most useful upgrades you can do for an older computer, whether you are moving from a slow HDD to a fast SSD, replacing a failing drive, or simply increasing storage capacity. Done correctly, the new drive becomes a full working copy of the old one, with your operating system, applications, and files completely intact.
This guide walks through how to clone safely, what to verify before starting, which software actually works in 2026, and what to do if something goes wrong.
How to clone a hard drive (quick answer)
The process has five main steps:
- Back up your data to an external drive before starting
- Verify compatibility between source and destination drives
- Connect the destination drive (internal slot or USB enclosure)
- Use cloning software to copy the source drive to the destination
- Replace the drive and set it as the boot device
The cloning itself usually takes between 30 minutes and several hours, depending on the size of the source drive and the speed of both drives.
When should you clone a hard drive?
There are four common reasons to clone a drive.
Upgrading storage capacity
If your current drive is running out of space, cloning to a larger one preserves everything, with no need to reinstall Windows or applications.
Migrating from HDD to SSD
This is the most common reason in 2026. Moving from an HDD to an SSD typically reduces boot times from over a minute to under 10 seconds, and significantly improves overall responsiveness.
Replacing a failing drive
If your drive shows signs of failure (slow performance, file errors, unusual noises), cloning before complete failure is the safest way to preserve everything.
Setting up identical systems
IT environments use cloning to deploy the same configuration to multiple machines, saving setup time.
Before you clone: check compatibility
This is the step most guides skip. Buying the wrong destination drive is the most common reason cloning fails.
1. Source vs destination drive types
The cloning process works between most combinations, but each has specific requirements:
- HDD to HDD: simplest, no special considerations
- HDD to 2.5" SATA SSD: straightforward and very common
- HDD to M.2 SATA SSD: requires an M.2 slot that supports SATA
- HDD to M.2 NVMe SSD: requires an M.2 slot that supports NVMe, plus appropriate drivers
- SSD to NVMe SSD: requires a UEFI motherboard for proper boot
- SATA SSD to M.2 NVMe SSD: same UEFI requirement, plus driver considerations
If your current device has an HDD and you want to move to NVMe, verify your motherboard supports M.2 NVMe before purchasing the drive. Some older devices have M.2 slots that only accept SATA SSDs, not NVMe.
2. Capacity requirements
The destination drive must have enough space for the used data, not necessarily the full source size:
- If your source drive is 500 GB but only uses 200 GB, a 256 GB destination can work (some software supports this)
- If your source drive is 1 TB with 600 GB used, the destination needs at least 600 GB
- For safety, choose a destination drive equal to or larger than the source
3. Connection types
To clone a drive, you need to connect both drives simultaneously. The options:
- Desktop with multiple drive bays: install both drives directly
- Laptop with multiple M.2 slots: install the new drive in the second slot before cloning
- Single-drive laptop: use a SATA-to-USB cable for 2.5" drives, or an M.2 NVMe enclosure for M.2 drives
- External docking station: useful for multiple cloning sessions
4. Boot mode and partition style
Modern systems use UEFI boot mode and GPT partition style. Older systems may use Legacy BIOS and MBR. Cloning between different boot modes can cause boot failures. Most modern cloning software handles this conversion automatically, but it is worth verifying.
What you'll need
Before starting, gather:
- Destination drive (verified compatible with your device)
- Connection cable or enclosure (SATA-to-USB for 2.5" drives, M.2 enclosure for M.2 drives)
- Cloning software (see options below)
- External drive for backup of important files
- Screwdriver for opening the laptop or desktop case
- Stable power supply, particularly for laptops, which should be plugged in throughout the process
Choosing cloning software in 2026
The software landscape changed significantly in recent years. Some popular tools from 2020 to 2023 are no longer available or have moved to subscription-only models.
Free options that still work in 2026
- AOMEI Backupper Standard: free, well-supported, and one of the most widely used cloning tools in 2026
- Clonezilla: open-source, the gold standard for reliability, but has a steeper learning curve
- EaseUS Disk Copy: free trial available, paid for full disk write operations
- Hasleo Disk Clone: free, modern interface, good for beginners
- MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial Edition: intuitive interface, suitable for entry-level users
Software that has changed
- Macrium Reflect Free: discontinued in January 2024. The free edition is no longer available for new users. The current product is Macrium Reflect X, which is paid (subscription model)
- Macrium Reflect 8.x: entered End of Life for business in February 2026. No further security updates
If you previously used Macrium Reflect Free, the closest free alternatives in 2026 are AOMEI Backupper Standard for ease of use, or Clonezilla for advanced users who want full open-source control.
Built-in Windows tools
Windows includes System Image Backup, but it is important to understand its limitations:
- It creates a backup image, not a direct clone
- The image can be restored to another drive, effectively achieving cloning
- It is more complex than dedicated cloning software
- It is being phased out in favour of newer Windows Backup tools
For most users, dedicated cloning software is faster and more reliable than using Windows built-in tools.
How to clone a hard drive: step-by-step
The general process is similar across all modern cloning software.
Step 1: Connect the destination drive
Install the new drive in a second slot, or connect it through a USB enclosure or SATA-to-USB cable. Confirm Windows recognises the drive before proceeding.
Step 2: Open your cloning software
Launch the cloning software you have chosen. Most tools have a clearly labelled "Clone" or "Disk Clone" option in the main menu.
Step 3: Select the source drive
Choose the drive you want to clone, usually labelled as the "Source disk". Most users select their current Windows drive.
Step 4: Select the destination drive
Choose the new drive as the "Destination disk". Most cloning software will warn that all data on the destination will be erased.
Step 5: Configure cloning options
Depending on the software, you may have options:
- Sector-by-sector cloning: copies every sector including empty space, slower but more thorough
- Intelligent cloning: copies only sectors with data, faster
- SSD alignment / 4K alignment: important if the destination is an SSD, ensures optimal performance
- Resize partitions: useful when moving to a larger or smaller drive
For SSD destinations, always enable 4K alignment if the software offers it.
Step 6: Start the cloning process
Begin the clone and let the process run uninterrupted. Do not use the computer for other tasks during cloning, and do not let it sleep or shut down.
The duration depends on the amount of data, the speed of both drives, and the cloning method. Expect:
- 30 minutes to 1 hour for a small SSD-to-SSD clone
- 1 to 3 hours for HDD-to-SSD migrations
- 4 hours or more for large HDD-to-HDD clones
Step 7: Verify the clone
Once the process completes, the software will indicate success. Before swapping the drives, verify the clone by booting from it if possible (some tools allow test boot from USB-connected drives).
Replace the drive and boot from the new one
Physical replacement
If the new drive is being installed internally:
- Shut down the computer completely
- Disconnect the power supply
- Open the case (desktop) or bottom panel (laptop)
- Remove the old drive carefully
- Install the new drive in the same slot
- Reassemble the device
For laptops with only one drive slot, the new drive takes the place of the old one. For desktops with multiple bays, you can keep the old drive installed as a backup.
Make the new drive bootable
If the clone was done correctly, the new drive should boot automatically. If it does not:
- Restart the computer
- Press the BIOS key during startup (commonly F10 on HP laptops, F2 on some other brands)
- Navigate to Boot Options or Boot Order
- Set the new drive as the first boot device
- Save and exit
The system should now boot from the cloned drive.
What to do if cloning fails
Cloning is generally reliable, but issues can occur.
The new drive does not boot
- Verify the boot order in BIOS or UEFI
- Check that Secure Boot settings match the original drive's configuration
- Try a different cloning software if the first one did not handle UEFI/GPT correctly
- Re-clone with a different boot mode setting
Cloning process freezes or fails
- Check that both drives have stable power
- Verify the source drive is not failing (a failing drive can cause cloning errors)
- Try a different USB port or cable if using an external enclosure
- Use a different cloning tool
Some files are missing on the new drive
- The source drive may have file system errors. Run chkdsk on the source drive before cloning
- Use a sector-by-sector clone instead of intelligent cloning
- Ensure the cloning completed without interruption
The new drive is smaller than the source
- Some software supports this if the used space is less than the destination capacity
- Otherwise, you must reduce data on the source drive before cloning
A note about Windows 10 End of Support
Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 in October 2025. If you are cloning a Windows 10 system in 2026:
- The cloned drive will continue to work, but security updates are limited
- This is a good moment to consider upgrading to Windows 11 if your hardware supports it
- Most modern HP laptops in the OmniBook and OMEN ranges support Windows 11 natively
If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11 after cloning, verify that your hardware meets the requirements (TPM 2.0, UEFI, Secure Boot).
FAQs
Is it safe to clone a hard drive?
Yes, when done correctly. The most common risks are data loss from interrupted cloning, or buying a destination drive that is incompatible with your system. Backing up beforehand and verifying compatibility prevents most issues.
How long does cloning take?
Between 30 minutes and several hours, depending on the size of the source drive and the speed of both drives. SSD-to-SSD clones are generally faster than HDD-to-HDD.
Can I clone a hard drive without removing the old one?
Yes, by connecting the new drive via a USB enclosure or SATA-to-USB cable. The cloning software writes to the connected drive without affecting the original.
Does cloning copy the Windows licence?
Yes. The Windows licence is tied to the hardware (motherboard), not the drive. The cloned drive will activate normally when booted.
What is the difference between cloning and imaging?
Cloning creates a direct, bootable copy of one drive on another. Imaging creates a single file that contains the drive's contents, which can be restored later. Cloning is faster for direct migration; imaging is better for long-term backups.
Can I clone a drive larger than the destination?
Sometimes. If the used data on the source fits within the destination's capacity, many cloning tools support this. If used data exceeds destination capacity, you must reduce data first.
What happens to the original drive after cloning?
Nothing. The original drive remains untouched and can be used as a backup, archived, or repurposed. For desktops, many users keep the original installed as a secondary drive.
Final thoughts
Cloning a hard drive is one of the most rewarding upgrades you can perform, especially when moving from HDD to SSD. The performance improvement is significant, and the process preserves your existing setup without the time-consuming work of reinstalling Windows and applications.
The key to a successful clone is preparation: verifying compatibility before purchasing the destination drive, backing up important data, and using current, reliable software. With these basics in place, the rest of the process is straightforward.
If your laptop is older or struggling with multiple component limitations, sometimes a full hardware refresh is more practical than upgrading individual components. Modern HP laptops in the OmniBook, OMEN, and ZBook ranges offer significant improvements in storage performance, battery life, and AI capabilities.
Visit our HP Tech Takes Blog for more practical guides on storage upgrades, hardware, and laptop care.
