How to Migrate Windows OS to an SSD or HDD? (FREE)

Table of Contents

• About migrating your Windows to an SSD
• Free software for migrating Windows OS to an SSD/HDD
• How to migrate your Windows OS to an SSD / HDD using DiskGenius Free Edition?
• FAQs
• Conclusion

About migrating your Windows operating system to an SSD / HDD

What is system migration? The system migration refers to the process of transferring your current operating system to a different storage device, such as a new SSD (solid state drive) or HDD (hard disk drive). This process not only migrates Windows OS but also includes installed applications, system updates, drivers, custom settings, and personal data stored on the system disk. If the original system disk is in MBR format, both the system reserved partition and the C drive will be migrated. If it is a GPT disk, the migration will encompass the system drive, EFI partition, MSR partition, and any other specified partitions. After the migration, the destination disk will be bootable and can immediately replace the original system disk.

When do you want to migrate system to a new SSD or HDD? Here are some scenarios where migrating your OS is preferable to reinstalling Windows from scratch:

• To get faster and better performance: If you're unhappy with your current hard drive's speed or boot time, replacing an HDD with an SSD can make a significant difference. Migrating your OS from an HDD to an SSD will result in much faster boot time and quicker data access.
• To upgrade the current disk to a larger one: Over time, your system disk, especially the C drive, might be full of data and run out of free space. There is not any free space available that can be transferred to the C drive. In this case, you can replace current disk with a larger one.
• To get a well-organized operating system: If you plan to add another hard disk to your computer and separate the operating system from personal data, you can easily move the OS to a new disk without the need to reinstall everything; you may also want to upgrade computer's build, but still want to use the old system, you can also try transferring Windows to a new device without reinstalling OS and apps.
• To transfer your current Windows OS to a virtual machine: Migrating your Windows OS to a virtual machine, such as VMware or VirtualBox, allows you to run the same operating system in a virtualized environment.
• To migrate Windows to a USB drive: This can be useful for creating a portable version of your operating system that you can use on different computers.

How can I migrate Windows 10/11 to a new SSD? If you search for similar questions online, you'll find that the best solution is to transfer your OS to a new disk using a free and reliable system migration tool.

Free software for migrating Windows OS to an SSD / HDD

DiskGenius Free Edition is recommended for migrating your Windows OS to a new SSD or hard drive. With this free edition, you can easily select the destination disk to be used as your new system disk and click the Start button to initiate the migration. Once the process is complete, the destination disk will be bootable, allowing your computer to start directly from it. Key features related to system migration:

• Supports migrating Windows OS to an SSD or hard drive that is smaller than the original system disk.
• Capable of migrating all system-related partitions along with other specified data partitions.
• Allows users to set whether the computer should boot automatically from the destination disk after migration.
• Provides options for manually setting boot entries for UEFI computers.
• Supports both BIOS and UEFI boot solutions, as well as MBR and GPT disks.
• Offers two methods for transferring the OS: migrating the system within Windows without interrupting any running applications, or transferring the OS in a WinPE environment. You can choose the method that best suits your needs.

How to migrate your Windows OS to an SSD / HDD using DiskGenius Free Edition?

Preparations for system migration:

• Clean up your original system disk: Uninstall any software you won't use and delete unwanted files from the original system disk to free up space and exclude unnecessary data from the migration.
• Connect the SSD or Hard Drive: Ensure the new disk, which will hold the OS, is connected and properly detected by Windows. If the disk contains data, back up any important files beforehand.
• Install DiskGenius Free Edition: The free edition allows you to easily migrate Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista to a hard drive, SSD, external HDD, USB flash drive, or virtual machine.

The step-by-step guide to migrate Windows OS to a new SSD or HDD:

Step 1. Launch DiskGenius Free Edition on your computer, and click Tools > System Migration.

Step 2. Select a target disk and click OK.

In the pop-up window, choose the destination disk, ensuring you select the correct one.

You can adjust the partition size on the destination disk by dragging the arrows between the partition edges.

Additionally, you can choose whether to change the boot sequence. For example, if you want your PC to boot from the new disk immediately after migration, select "Automatically set to boot from migrated target system". If you prefer to configure the boot sequence in BIOS manually, select "Automatically enter BIOS after rebooting (manually set)". You can also leave both options unselected, allowing your computer to continue booting from the original system disk.

Step 3. Click the Start button. A warning will appear, notifying you that all data on the destination disk will be wiped and overwritten. Click OK to proceed.

Step 4. Choose your method for migrating the OS:

Hot migration: DiskGenius will migrate Windows to the specified disk without shutting down the system, allowing users to perform the migration without interruption. This method uses Windows VSS technology, making it reliable and effective. Therefore, it is the recommended choice.

Reboot to WinPE: Your computer will automatically restart into DiskGenius WinPE edition, which will migrate the OS to the specified SSD or hard drive. Be sure to close all other running programs and save any unsaved work before proceeding. This method is generally used when Hot Migration does not function as expected.

Step 5. Wait for the process to complete.

Notes:

• The process of migrating Windows 11/10 to an SSD or HDD will delete and remove all existing files and partitions on target disk, and you need to back up important files in advance.
• Do not format the original system drive or wipe the hard drive before you confirm that your computer can boot from the target disk successfully.

The video guide on migrating Windows 10 to an SSD:

FAQs

Q1. Why should I migrate my Windows OS to an SSD or HDD?

A: Migrating your Windows OS to an SSD or HDD can greatly improve its performance and speed. An SSD is particularly helpful in speeding up boot time and application loading, whereas an HDD can provide more storage space at a lower cost.

Q2. What is DiskGenius?

A: DiskGenius is free system migration software that can help you safely and quickly migrate your Windows operating system to a new SSD or HDD. It is also a powerful data recovery and partition management tool.

Q3. Is it difficult to migrate Windows OS to an SSD or HDD?

A: Not at all. With the help of DiskGenius, the process can be done quickly and easily with just a few simple steps.

Q4. Will I lose any data during the migration process?

A: No, DiskGenius allows you to migrate your OS to a new drive without losing any data or programs.

Q5. Do I need any special skills or experience to use DiskGenius?

A: No, DiskGenius is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, even for those who are not computer experts.

Q6. Is DiskGenius free to use?

A: Yes, DiskGenius has many free features, including migrating operating systems.

Conclusion

In short, transferring the Windows 11 or Windows 10  from a hard drive to a larger or smaller SSD can significantly enhance computer's performance and speed. With the help of the free system migration software, DiskGenius, the entire process can be completed quickly and safely in just a few simple steps. With our guide above, you can bypass the tedious tasks of reinstalling Windows and transferring files manually. Whether you're upgrading to a new computer or simply aiming to improve your system's performance, migrating your Windows OS to an SSD or HDD is certainly worth considering, and DiskGenius is the ideal tool to assist you in this endeavor.