How to Transfer Data from HDD to Another

Explore our comprehensive guide on transferring your data from one HDD to another. Learn step-by-step methods, tools, and tips for a seamless data migration.

Whether you're upgrading to a larger drive, replacing a failing HDD, or consolidating data, transferring files between hard drives is a fundamental task every computer user needs. Doing it wrong risks data loss, corrupted files, or hours of frustration. As a Reddit user once asked,

Best way to transfer several TB of data to a new hard drive?

I have a WD 2TB My Passport Ultra to store my data, but it is almost full. So, I decided to upgrade to a bigger one for data storage. I bought a Seagate FireCuda 5TB hard drive. Is there a tool or utility available for this purpose? Or is there a better way, aside from Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, for transferring data between the two drives? from Reddit

This guide covers 4 proven methods to transfer data from HDD to another securely.

Method 1. Cloning (1:1 Drive Replication)

• 🚩Best for: Full system migration, OS/software transfer, drive upgrades
• ✅Pros: Copies OS, apps, settings, hidden files; bootable replica; minimal user intervention required.
• ❌Cons: Download disk cloning software; software learning curve.

Cloning is an effective way to transfer data from one hard drive to another, ensuring data integrity and efficiency while transferring data without any loss. Cloning will create an exact copy of the old hard drive, including the operating system and all data, onto the new drive. It is often used when upgrading to a new hard drive (especially an SSD) and wanting to avoid reinstalling the operating system and programs.

However, you must use a third-party disk cloning program to clone an HDD to another, as Windows does not include any built-in cloning features. Several software options are available for cloning, including EaseUS Disk Copy.

If you want to transfer data from an internal hard drive (OS drive), cloning will be the Just get this powerful cloning software and use it to clone your hard drive to another!

Step 1. Connect the new disk. Connect the new disk to your computer via a SATA to USB adapter or install it internally and launch the cloning software.

Step 2. Select source and destination disks. In Disk Mode, select the source HDD (the one you want to clone) and the target disk.

Step 3. Adjust Disk Layout (Optional).

Step 4. Initiate the cloning process. Click Proceed to start the data transfer process. This will copy everything from the HDD to the new disk.

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Method 2. Direct Copying (Simple File Transfer)

• 🚩Best for: Selective transfers, small-to-medium files (documents, photos, videos).
• ✅Pros: No software needed; selective file control.
• ❌Cons: Slow for large data; doesn't transfer OS/applications.

Copy-paste or drag-and-drop involves connecting both hard drives to the computer (using USB-to-SATA adapters or enclosures if necessary) and then manually copying the desired files and folders from the old drive to the new drive. Traditionally, copy and paste would be the best method to transfer files from one drive to another. You will just have to plug your new drive into the PC.

You can't simply copy and paste system files from one hard drive to another because of the way operating systems are installed and configured. You can only copy and paste basic personal files. Here is how to move files from one hard drive to another using copy and paste.

Step 1. Connect both drives to your computer (internally or externally via a USB to SATA cable).

Step 2. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Select the files and folders you want to transfer, and select Copy (Ctrl + C).

Step 3. Paste (Ctrl + V) the copied files onto the destination HDD or SSD.

Step 4. Repeat this process until all data has been successfully transferred from the old drive to the new one.

Method 3. Using Cloud Storage (Remote Synchronization)

• 🚩Best for: Small batches, remote transfers, cross-platform sync.
• ✅Pros: Access from anywhere; no cables/adapters needed.
• ❌Cons: Slow transfer speed; storage limits.

Using a cloud storage service is also a convenient way to transfer files from one hard drive to another. For smaller amounts of data, cloud storage providers like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive can be used. This involves uploading files from the old drive to the cloud storage and downloading them from the cloud service to the new drive.

Step 1. Create an account in Cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox.

Step 2. Upload to Cloud. Open the Cloud app and upload files from the source HDD.

Step 3. Download files to the destination HDD or SSD.

• Connect the new drive to your computer (internally or externally via a USB to SATA cable).
• Sign in to the same cloud account.
• Download files to the destination HDD or SSD.

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Method 4. Using CMD (Script-Based Transfer)

• 🚩Best for: Tech-savvy users, automated transfers of larger amounts of data.
• ✅Pros: No software needed; fast for data transfers; scriptable for automation.
• ❌Cons: Steep learning curve; no GUI.

If you prefer not to download software to transfer files, Windows offers an alternative option. You can utilize the robocopy or xcopy commands. Robocopy is generally recommended for more robust and reliable file copying, especially for large or complex data transfers, while xcopy can be used for simpler scenarios. The following is how to use Robocopy to copy files from one hard drive to another:

Step 1. Open CMD as administrator. Search for "cmd" in the Start menu and click Run as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the robocopy command.

Basic syntax: robocopy [source] [destination] [files] [options]

For example, to copy all files and folders from drive C: to F:, including empty subdirectories, use:

robocopy C:\ F:\ /MIR /COPYALL /R:3 /W:5 /MT:16

• /MIR: Mirrors the source directory to the destination, overwriting any existing files or folders with the same names.
• /COPYALL: Copies all file information (attributes, timestamps, etc.).
• /R:3: Retries copying failed files 3 times.
• /W:5: Waits 5 seconds between retry attempts.
• /MT:16: Uses 16 threads for faster parallel copying.

To Wrap Things Up

Transferring data from one hard drive to another is not too complicated with the correct method. This article tells you how to transfer data from HDD to another with 4 ways:

• Cloning for full disk transfer and 1:1 drive duplication
• Manually copy and paste for specific files or folders
• Cloud storage for smaller amounts of data
• CMD for large or complex data transfers

If you want to transfer all data, including the operating system, applications, settings, and personal files, cloning is the most effective method. Just install the cloning software, select the old and new drives as source and destination, respectively, and initiate the cloning process. So easy and simple! Download and try this software to clone a hard drive to another for a seamless transfer!

How to Move Data from One Disk to Another FAQs

1. How do you transfer data from one external hard drive to another on a Mac?

Just connect both drives to the computer and drag files from one to the other, or you can use Disk Utility to make an exact copy of one disk to another.

2. What is the fastest way to transfer files between hard drives?

For the fastest data transfer between hard drives, try professional disk cloning software like EaseUS Disk Copy. This tool streamlines the cloning process, enabling seamless and rapid data transfer between two hard drives with just a few simple clicks.

3. Can I transfer programs between HDDs?

Yes, you can transfer programs between hard drives via cloning because cloning can move everything from one drive to another, including the OS, apps, personal files, etc. The manual copy and paste can only transfer basic files, not system or program files.

4. Do I need to format the new hard drive before transferring data?

Yes, it's generally recommended to format a new hard drive before transferring data. The manual data transfer may require formatting, while the cloning software does not.