How to Clone SSD to SSD Windows 11 Without Losing Data

Learn how to clone Windows 11 to new SSD easily without reinstalling OS. Download EaseUS Disk Copy and follow our guide to seamlessly clone SSD to SSD Windows 11.

If your desktop or laptop is preinstalled with a small-capacity SSD to install Windows and save data, your SSD will run out of space, and your computer will slow down after a period of use. Under such circumstances, cloning your current SSD to a new or larger one will be a good idea, as the Reddit post reads.

What would be the best way of cloning an NVMe SSD with Windows 11 on it and some other stuff to the same model, but larger SSD? --- from Reddit

We will explain how to clone Windows 11 to new SSD using the best-ever SSD cloning software - EaseUS Disk Copy with a step-by-step guide and tips for seamless and successful Windows 11 SSD cloning!

What to Prepare to Clone Your Windows 11 SSD

Compared with a clean installation, cloning can help you transfer data from one SSD to another, saving time and effort reinstalling Windows and programs, but you need to prepare something to migrate Windows 11 to a larger SSD or clone Windows 11 to new SSD.

➡️Prepare your new SSD

• A new or larger SSD. You should buy an SSD with the right SSD interface and form factor, such as PCIe, M.2, NVMe, or SATA. You should purchase an SSD from reputable hard drive manufacturers such as Samsung, Intel, WD, and Kingston. Generally, an SSD with a 1TB or higher capacity is preferred.
• Run a surface test of the new SSD. Some new hard drives will also contain bad sectors, hindering the disk cloning. Therefore, you'd better perform a surface test on your new drive to verify its health condition.
• Connect your new SSD. If your PC has 2 slots, you can install the new and bigger one alongside the existing SSD. If not, you need a USB to SATA cable or an external USB enclosure to connect the new SSD to your PC.

➡️Backup important files

Cloning overwrites all data on the target disk. Back up important data on your target disk in advance if it is a used one.

➡️Download SSD clone software

Since Windows 11 doesn't have cloning settings, you must use third-party disk clone software to help you. Clonezilla is a free disk cloning software, and many SSD drives, such as Samsung and Crucial, come with cloning tools. If you want an easy and reliable SSD cloning software to clone SSD to SSD Windows 11. EaseUS Disk Copy is highly recommended here. It is one of the best tools for cloning hard drives on Windows 11.

It is compatible with HDDs and SSDs from different manufacturers and lets you clone HDD to SSD different sizes, smaller to larger SSD, large SSD to smaller SSD, SSD to M.2 SSD, etc. It allows you to adjust the disk layout manually or provides the option to auto-fit your source disk. Just download and use it to clone SSD to new SSD.

How to Clone Windows 11 to New SSD with EaseUS Disk Copy

Now, you can migrate Windows 11 to SSD using EaseUS Disk Copy. Here is the step-by-step guide:

Step 1. Connect the New SSD

• Internal connection: If your PC has an available SATA or NVMe slot, install the new SSD directly into your PC.
• External enclosure: Use a USB to SATA adapter or an enclosure to connect the new SSD to your PC externally.

Step 2. Run Disk Cloning Software

• Open EaseUS Disk Copy and select the System Mode feature.

Step 3. Select Source and Destination Drives

• Source Disk: The cloning software will automatically select your current Windows 11 drive (usually the C: drive and related partitions) as the source.
• Destination Disk: Select the newly connected SSD as the destination drive. Ensure you select the correct drive, as the cloning process will overwrite all data on it.

Step 4. Perform the Clone

• Before cloning, follow the software's prompts to adjust partition sizes if necessary or just use the "Autofit" option.

• Click Proceed to begin the cloning process, which will clone Windows 11 to SSD.

If you want to copy everything from your old SSD to the new SSD, including your operating system, applications, and data, select the Disk Mode.

Watch this video to learn how to clone SSD to larger SSD using EaseUS Disk Copy:

Step 5. Boot from the new SSD

• Once the cloning is finished, shut down your PC, and replace the old SSD with the new one.
• Enter your PC's BIOS or UEFI settings (usually by pressing a key like Esc, Del, F2, or F12 during startup).
• Change the boot order to make your new SSD the primary boot device.
• Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

Your computer should now boot from the newly cloned SSD.

Share this article on your social media to help others find a reliable way to clone Windows 11 SSD to another SSD!

Troubleshooting Common SSD Cloning Issues in Windows 11

1️⃣Clone Fails Due to Insufficient Space

• Clean up unnecessary files on the source SSD before cloning.
• Use disk cleanup tools to remove temporary files and system junk.
• If the source drive has a large recovery partition, consider cloning only the OS and essential partitions.

2️⃣SSD Not Detected by Cloning Software

• Ensure the SSD is properly connected to motherboard (SATA or M.2 slot).
• Go to Disk Management in Windows to see if the new drive is recognized. If not, try a different cable or port.
• Initialize the new SSD in Disk Management (choose GPT if your system uses UEFI).
• Update your motherboard’s SATA/AHCI drivers and BIOS/UEFI.

3️⃣Unable to Boot from the Cloned SSD

• Enter BIOS/UEFI and change the boot order to prioritize the new SSD.
• Ensure the cloning process copied all necessary partitions (EFI, recovery, and primary OS partition).
• For UEFI systems, verify that Secure Boot is enabled (if previously used).
• Try repairing the bootloader using Windows Installation Media: Boot from the installation USB, select "Repair your computer" > Troubleshoot > Command Prompt or Run: bootrec /fixboot and bootrec /rebuildbcd.

4️⃣Slow Performance After Cloning

• Confirm that TRIM is enabled (open Command Prompt as admin and run: fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify – should return 0).
• Check SSD alignment (4K sector alignment is crucial for performance).
• Update the SSD firmware via the manufacturer's tool.
• Ensure the SSD is connected to the fastest available port (e.g., SATA III or NVMe PCIe slot).

5️⃣Software License or Activation Issues

Windows 10/11 is generally tolerant of hardware changes like SSD cloning, but significant changes may trigger reactivation. Simply reactivate with your digital license or Microsoft account if prompted.

To Wrap Things Up

This article explains how to clone Windows 11 to SSD. Since Windows 11 does not have cloning software, you must turn to professional disk cloning software for help. EaseUS Disk Copy offers you the best choice. It can help you clone your Windows 11 to another SSD without losing data or reinstalling Windows. Now, it is your turn to get EaseUS cloning software and give it a try!

FAQs About How to Clone SSD to SSD Windows 11

1. How can I transfer Windows 11 to another SSD?

Cloning is the best way to transfer Windows 11 to another SSD, compared with a clean install. To perform a clean installation of Windows 11, you need to make a Windows 11 bootable USB and use it to install Windows 11, which is time-consuming. This is no longer the case via cloning, which can help you install 11 on a new PC or another SSD without reinstalling Windows and losing data.

2. How to make a clone of Windows 11 on a larger SSD?

To clone Windows 11 to new SSD or bigger one, use professional disk cloning software like EaseUS Disk Copy or Clonezilla. Some SSD brands, like Samsung and Intel, also offer cloning tools that allow you to clone a hard drive.

3. How to upgrade M.2 SSD without reinstalling Windows 11?

Cloning is the only way to upgrade your M.2 SSD without reinstalling Windows. Cloning can transfer everything from one hard drive to another without reinstalling the Windows OS or losing data. You just need to find a reliable disk cloning tool to help you clone your old SSD to the new one.

4. Can I clone Windows 11 to a smaller SSD?

Yes, you can clone Windows 11 to a smaller SSD, but only if the total used space on your original drive is less than the capacity of the new, smaller SSD.

5. How can I clone hard drive to SSD on Windows 11?

To clone a hard drive to an SSD on Windows 11:

• Download and install EaseUS Disk Copy.
• Connect your new SSD via the USB adapter.
• Open Disk Copy and select the current Windows 11 hard drive in Disk Mode.
• Select the new SSD connected to your PC as the target disk.
• Click Proceed to clone Windows 11 hard drive to an SSD.