Can I Clone Windows 10 from My Old HDD to An m.2 for My New Build?

I am going to change to a new build, but I would like to keep my prebuilt Windows 10 and some game data. My new build is going to use an M.2 SSD as my primary boot drive. Can I just put the HDD and boot it on my first build, delete everything except OS and game data, clone it to the SSD, and then use the M.2 SSD as the boot drive? Is this illegal? Will I require an activation key upon booting to the M.2 SSD for the first time?

Best Answered by

Larissa· Answered on Jul 20, 2023

The answer is YES, you can. 

Cloning Windows 10 from an old HDD to an M.2 SSD is the same as cloning any hard drive. It isn't an illegal operation; you don't need an activation key after cloning. Just use it normally as your old hard drive. It mainly includes the following procedures:

  • Clean the old build except for the data you need.
  • Connect the new M.2 SSD to the old build.
  • Use disk cloning software to clone HDD to M.2 SSD.
  • Install the M.2 SSD to the new build.
  • Boot new build from the cloned M.2 SSD.

While doing this, you need to make sure a successful HDD to M.2 SSD cloning and everything functions properly. A reliable disk cloning tool is the key to successful hard drive cloning, which ensures everything is copied to the new M.2 SSD without any data loss. EaseUS Disk Copy is exactly the tool you can make full use of. With an intuitive and straightforward interface, you can finish the process with only three clicks, even if you are a novice. Download it, and use it to clone you HDD.

  Free Download

For Windows 11/10/8/7

But according to some users' feedback, their system crashes down after an update and shows a blue screen all the time. To avoid this situation, you may try another safer way:

  • Back up your game data to an external hard drive.
  • Have a fresh install of your Windows 10 system on the new build.
  • Then restore the game data and other files you want to keep to the new build.

Related Article: How to Clone Windows OS from HDD/SSD to M.2 SSD

Download the smartest and easiest Disk Cloning Software

Use EaseUS Disk Copy to upgrade small HDD, replace old/failed hard drive, migrate OS, clone HDD to SSD without reinstalling data.

  Free Download

For Windows 11/10/8/7

People Also Ask

Can I Copy My Entire C Drive to an External Hard Drive?

Can I copy my entire C drive to an external hard drive? If you have the same doubts, you can read this answer and get the information you want.

Melissa Lee

Jul 20, 2023

How to Clone Hard Drive to SSD Using Samsung Magician

Can Samsung Magician be used to clone the hard drive? Are you looking for ways to use it to clone the hard drive to Samsung SSD? Keep reading, and find your answer here.

Larissa

Jul 20, 2023

What's the Best Software to Clone M.2 SSD

What's the best software to clone M.2 SSD? If you have no idea, this brief post is right for you. Now, continue reading to find the right answer.

Jane Zhou

Jul 20, 2023

How to Replace C Drive with a New SSD

Received a new SSD and want to replace your C drive with it? It's ok to do so. You can read this post and find the answer you need here.

Melissa Lee

Jul 20, 2023

How to Backup Computer Windows 7 Before Installing Windows 10?

If you want to upgrade your PC system to Windows 10 from Windows 7 but do not want to lose any data, you should have a backup plan. Don't worry, this short will tell you how to back up your computer Windows 7, before installing Windows 10.

Rel

Jul 20, 2023

Can You Move an Operating System to Another Hard Drive?

Can you move an operating system to another hard drive? Have you ever been stuck on this question? This article will tell whether you can transfer your operating system from one drive to another drive and offer a tool called EaseUS Disk Copy to help you.

Jerry

Jul 20, 2023