Win32 Disk Imager Clone SD Card: Full Guide with Best Alternative

Learn how to clone an SD card using Win32 Disk Imager below. Win32 is Windows software that images SD cards onto a device. Also, find a better Win32 Disk Image alternative for cloning an SD card.

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Jerry

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

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SD cards let you carry large quantities of data in a small device. Their size and storage ability make them significant storage devices. The irony is that the compact size can be a major reason for losing the SD card. So, let us clone the SD card to another location using Win32 Disk Imager to save the data. We will explain how to clone SD card Win32 Disk Imager procedure in detail.

What Is Win32 Disk Imager & Its Features

Win32 Disk Imager is a Windows program that writes a raw disk image to a removable device, such as a USB drive, SD memory card, CD, DVD, or other media. Win32 Disk Imager can be used to clone an SD card by creating an image file of the source card and then writing that image file to a new SD card. It is free to use and was developed by Gruemaster and Tuxinator2009. Let us see the main features of Win32 Disk Imager.

  • Write a raw disk image for a removable device (SD card, USB drive, etc).
  • You can write/burn ISO images to a USB drive.
  • The software is lightweight (12 MB) and easy to use.
  • For cloning, you can use "Read Only Allocated Partitions" to copy used partitions.

How to Clone SD Card with Win32diskimager

Let us see the step-by-step procedure to clone an SD memory card using Win32 Disk Imager.

Step 1. Download and install Win32 Disk Imager on your PC. Insert the SD card into the cardholder or reader, and ensure your system properly recognizes it.

Step 2. Open the Win32 Disk Imager. Under the Device option, select the SD card's drive letter.

choose-the-sd-card

Step 3. Now, click the blue folder icon below the "Image file." You must choose a location on your PC and name it to store the clone file. You must name the backup/clone file with the .img extension.

select-location-and-name-file

Step 4. Click on Read to clone the SD card. The time depends on the OS and the SD card's contents.

Important
Check the "Read only allocated partitions" option if you want to clone only used partitions. This option reads the data in use, reducing the file size and creation time of the image file.

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Best Alternative to Win32 Disk Imager to Clone SD Card

The Win32 Disk Image is simple and effective for cloning an SD card, but you will often encounter Win32 Disk Imager not opening or having a working error. Apart from not supporting Windows 11, errors like "Cannot find the device", "clone SD card win32diskimager not working," and "Error 5: Access is denied" bother users. Therefore, it is better to use professional disk cloning software to clone an SD card.

EaseUS Disk Copy is a perfect Win32 Disk Imager alternative for cloning your SD card if you encounter such errors. It works on all Windows versions, including Windows 11, and lets you clone an SD card in 3 simple steps. It also has sector-by-sector clone technology, which can help you copy a hard drive bit for bit or clone a disk with bad sectors.

Free download Disk Copy and clone your SD card now!

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Here is how to clone an SD card to another using EaseUS Disk Copy:

Before cloning:

  • If your computer has only one slot, connect the target disk to your machine via a USB-to-SATA/NVMe adapter.
  • If your computer has an extra slot, install the target disk into the empty slot properly, and make sure it is compatible.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Disk Copy and choose Disk Mode.

Install EaseUS Disk Copy cloning software on your Windows computer, then launch it and select Disk Mode from the left panel.

disk clone

Step 2. Select the source drive.

Select the drive you want to copy, then click Select.

select source disk

Step 3. Choose the target disk.

Choose the disk that you want to clone data to, and click Select. Note that the used space of the source disk should be less than the target disk capacity.

select target disk

*At this step, you can also click the option "Save as an image file" to store your disk as a compressed image file, which can be restored without any data loss.

Step 4. Adjust disk layout.

Specify the target disk layout as your preference. You can choose among:

  • Autofit the disk: makes some changes by default on the destination disk layout so that it can work at its best.
  • Copy as the source: create a 1-to-1 copy of your source disk; the layout is the same as the source disk.
  • Edit disk layout: allows you to manually resize/move the partition layout on this destination disk.
adjust disk layout

*If the target disk is an SSD, the option "Auto-alignment to 4K" will be checked automatically to optimize the performance of your SSD.

Step 5. Start cloning.

Click Proceed, and a message will appear, warning you that data will be lost. Confirm the message by clicking Continue.

warning message

Now, it will start executing the cloning task.

cloning process

*The time it takes to clone a hard drive depends on how much data is on the source disk, and it will also be affected by the disk types, USB connection, etc.

To Sum Up

To clone an SD card, Win32 Disk Imager is a powerful solution. Although the software is simple, it does not give the desired results. You will end up facing issues such as Win32 Disk Image not working, the device cannot be found, and more. Just like Win32 Disk Imager, EaseUS Disk Copy clones the SD card in 3 steps. The software also offers more powerful options for migrating and securing your data. Download and try EaseUS Disk Copy!

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FAQs on Win32 Disk Imager Copy SD Card

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on Win32 Disk Imager clone SD card.

1. How do I copy my SD card without a computer?

You can copy an SD card without a computer using an OTG cable. Android phones support transferring data from microSD cards using the OTG function. Find an SD card-compatible OTG cable and copy the SD card data.

2. Why is my SD card not being detected?

It cannot be recognized if the SD card is incompatible or damaged. Restart the device and check again, then try different file formats to see if the SD card is compatible.

3.Is there a way to clone an SD card?

Yes, you can use EaseUS Disk Copy or Win32 Disk Imager to clone an SD card to another. Just connect the SD card to your PC via the SD card reader and then use the tool to copy data from one SD card to another.

4. How do I clone my SD card with Etcher?

Download the application and open it. To clone the SD card with Etcher, select the SD card image. Select Target to download the image and click Clone.

5. Can Rufus clone an SD card?

No, Rufux cannot clone an SD card, but it can help you write an SD card image to another SD card, which is not a direct clone but an image. If you want to clone an SD card, you can use professional cloning software like EaseUS Disk Copy, Clonezilla, and Rescuezilla.

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    Jerry

    >"I hope my articles can help solve your technical problems. If you are interested in other articles, you can check the articles at the bottom of this page, and you can also check my Facebook to get additional help."…
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