How to Clone Linux HDD to SSD Without Re-installing

Before you dive into the detailed information on this topic, let's see the differences between the ways you use to clone Linux HDD to SSD.

Is There a Reliable Way to Clone Linux HDD to SSD

Now, millions of users still use Linux OS or dual systems. However, compared with Windows users, Linux applications are much less de-facto. For example, when a Linux user wants to clone Linux HDD to SSD, it's hard to find compatible or exclusive Linux disk cloning software.

You may ask, how do I clone Linux drive to SSD? To save your precious time, we will let you know two reliable ways - EaseUS Disk Copy and dd Command.

Most times, experienced Linux users will suggest you clone Linux HDD to SSD or clone Linux hard drive to a smaller/larger Solid State Drive by using the 'dd' command. But for average users like us, can you understand what each command is for?

Though not Linux-based, EaseUS Disk Copy is Linux hard drive supported, and it can easily replace the dd command with an automatic way to clone Linux hard drives. Transferring one hard drive content to the other with several clicks is easy, fast, and straightforward.

How to Clone Linux Drive to SSD via Disk Cloning Software

EaseUS Disk Copy is prominent disk cloning software based on the Windows operating system, and it fully supports HDD to SSD cloning, so you can achieve the purposes in the following.

• Clone a hard drive for backup and recovery use.
• Easily copy operating from HDD to SSD without reinstalling.
• Replace a laptop's hard drive without losing data.
• Upgrade a Linux hard drive to a bigger one or from an old one to a new one.
• Thanks to the sector-by-sector function, you can clone a hard disk with bad sectors.

Undoubtedly, EaseUS Disk Copy should rank as the top choice if you're looking for a Linux HDD to SSD cloning method. On this page, you will learn the detailed guide to cloning HDD to SSD and copying all the Linux installations to the new SSD step by step.

How to Clone HDD to SSD for Linux with EaseUS Disk Copy

The Linux clone hard drive to SSD takes no more than four procedures:

1. #️⃣1. The source hard drive cleanup (optional)
2. #️⃣2. Connect the source hard drive and target SSD on a desktop or laptop
3. #️⃣3. Initialize SSD (optional)
4. #️⃣4. Start Linux hard drive cloning with EaseUS Disk Copy

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The hard drive cleanup is necessary to reduce the disk space consumption on the new SSD because, after cloning, your SSD will surely remain identical to the old hard drive. You can keep the cloned drive clean by removing junk files and useless large files beforehand.

Next, you should use the proper connection way to connect both of your drives to a Windows computer. The desktop computer allows you to connect two hard drives by installing them in the tower case or through a SATA-to-USB cable, while the laptop will only let you use the cable or external hard drive enclosure for connection.

By the way, if your SSD is newly bought and not initialized at the moment, before heading to the disk cloning process, try to initialize the SSD so that your computer can recognize it with no problem.

At last, after downloading EaseUS Disk Copy, let's begin to clone Linux drive to SSD:

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1. Take out the hard drive from your Linux computer and connect it to the other Windows computer where EaseUS Disk Copy is installed, as well as the target SSD.

Step 2. On EaseUS Disk Copy, click Disk Mode and select the source Linux hard drive. Here, at the bottom-left corner, you must tick the box in front of Sector by sector copy, which lets you clone the Linux EXT hard drive to SSD in Windows with the same disk layout. Click Next to continue.

Step 3. Select the destination SSD where you want to clone/copy the old disk and click Next to continue. Check and edit the disk layout as Autofit the disk, Copy as the source or Edit disk layout. Autofit the disk is recommended.

• Copy as the source option will copy/clone the same layout of partitions on your source disk to the destination disk.
• Edit disk layout allows you to resize or move partition layout on the destination disk manually.
• If your destination disk is an SSD drive, do remember to tick Check the option if the target is SSD.

Step 4. Click "Proceed" to start the Linux hard drive cloning process right away. Click OK to confirm if the program asks to erase data on the destination disk.

Video Tutorial - HDD to SSD Clone

This tutorial is also available on cloning HDD to SSD for Linux with EaseUS Disk Copy.

 

Read also:

How to Clone Linux Hard Drive to SSD Using dd Command

What's the 'dd' command in Linux? In simple words, 'dd' is a command-line utility for Unix and Unix-like operating systems whose primary purpose is to convert and copy files. On Unix, device drivers for hardware (such as hard disk drives) and special device files (such as /dev/zero and /dev/random) appear in the file system just like normal files.

As long as you grasp each essential dd command concept and have a clear mind for the whole process, you can spend twenty steps more or less with Linux OS and programs migration from one drive to the other.

Steps to clone a Linux hard drive:

Clone HDD to SSD Linux? Here It Is!

In this article, we have listed two solutions for you to do Linux clone hard drive. The second method for the dd command is a little bit complex but works. If you are a computer beginner, we think the disk cloning software is better for easy steps and an intuitive interface.

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FAQs on Clone Linux HDD to SSD

1. Why is my SSD not bootable after cloning?

The SSD is not bootable after cloning may be due to the following reasons:

• Not configured as the boot disk is the copied SSD. 
• SSD incompatibility with BIOS boot mode. 
• The disk copying procedure was messed up or stopped. 
• Missing boot partitions, boot components, or incomplete clones.

2. Do I need to format SSD before cloning?

Your new SSD needs to be initialized and partitioned before you can use it. These procedures are unnecessary if you are cloning your SSD or conducting a clean installation of your operating system. The new SSD will be initialized and partitioned through a clean installation of your operating system or cloning to an SSD.

3. Is it good to clone OS to SSD?

Cloning an HDD to an SSD is generally not a bad idea. And it will be really helpful to you. If your SSD contains files on it, you should back them up beforehand because cloning an HDD to an SSD would erase all of the data on the destination device.