How to Move Windows to Another Hard Drive

Plus what to do if things get FUBAR

Learning how to move Windows to another drive might seem useless until it’s finally time to upgrade your hard drive. Technology outgrows current devices, and to keep your system updated, you’ll need to upgrade hardware components every once in a while. For instance, you might want to upgrade to an SSD (solid-state drive) for more storage or improved performance.

When you upgrade your HDD, though, you’ll also need to migrate your operating system. You’ll have two options to choose from for migrating Windows.

First, install Windows from scratch. You’ll need to install a clean copy of Windows on the new SSD, reinstall apps, and then use your backup to get everything set up. The second, easier option is to transfer Windows 10/11 to your new hard drive so you can skip the tedious Windows installation process. We’ll walk you through the second method in this guide.

Things to Know Before Moving Windows to Another Drive

Before you migrate your operating system, there are a few things you need to know and have on hand.

First, note that while you can always move Microsoft Windows to another hard drive, you may or may not be able to move it on a hard drive installed on another computer, depending on thelicense you have.

OEM licenses are linked to the motherboard and can’t be transferred to a new computer like Retail or Volume licenses. If you don’t know your license type, execute the following command in Command Prompt or PowerShell:

slmgr /dli

Second, you’ll need a few things:

Once the hard disk is in place, connect the SATA data cable (or IDE if you use an old computer) to connect the hard drive to the motherboard. Next, boot the computer and check your BIOS or UEFI firmware. If the firmware detects your hard drive, it’s ready for use.

When you’re ready to start, make sure you have about 60 to 90 minutes of time for the process.

How to Move Windows 10 to Another Drive Using the Built-In System Imaging

Windows has a built-in tool that lets you create a system image. You can use the system image to move Windows to another drive and avoid a new Windows installation from scratch.

However, you should use this method only if your new hard drive, whether HDD or SSD, is an equivalent or larger size than your old HDD. If you try this method anyway, Windows will stop you when you try to restore the image with a message indicating that the new drive is too small. If your new drive is smaller than the old drive, use the next method in this guide.

There are two parts to using the built-in tool. The first part is where you create a system image. The second part is where you use the system image to migrate Windows.

The wizard will choose a disk automatically, but you can also choose one on your own. Ideally, you should select an external hard drive or storage device, so you don’t lose the backup in case of disk failure. When you’ve selected a disk, selectNext.

If you’re wondering why partitions other than the system partition are selected, it’s because those disks might contain program files required to run the apps currently installed on your computer. SelectNextonce you’ve chosen the drives.

Once you have the system image and the new hard disk is installed on your computer, you’re ready to start migrating Windows to your new drive.

How to Move Windows 10 to Another Drive Using a Third-Party Tool

Windows won’t let you use the system image for imaging to a smaller drive. If your new HDD or SSD is smaller in size than the older one, you’ll need to clone the drive to migrate Windows 10/11. There are several tools for creating a copy of Windows, but we’ll illustrate the process usingAOMEI Backupper Standard.

Once the process is complete, you’ll be able to boot into Windows from your new hard drive. You can either remove the old drive or reformat it from the Disk Management console after logging into Windows from the new hard drive.

What if Something Goes Wrong?

If you follow these steps carefully, the chances of something going wrong are slim. Rarely enough, things can go wrong even if you do everything right. For instance, if there’s a power outage while you’re still moving Windows to another drive, you can’t do much about it unless you have a UPS or inverter or enough battery power to last over an hour.

If something does go wrong, you can always clean install Windows on the new disk. Reinstalling Windows requires you to reinstall your apps and reactivate Windows, but you’ll still be able to transfer your personal files without any problems.

Arjun is a freelance writer based in India. After working as an equity research analyst, Arjun decided to do something that he has been passionate about – tech. He gets excited talking about and explaining how to solve everyday tech problems. His area of expertise is Windows and is a go-to for all things Excel.Read Arjun’s Full Bio

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How to Move Windows to Another Hard Drive#

Things to Know Before Moving Windows to Another Drive#

How to Move Windows 10 to Another Drive Using the Built-In System Imaging#

How to Move Windows 10 to Another Drive Using a Third-Party Tool#

What if Something Goes Wrong?#