In this article, you are gonna learn EXACTLY how to Migrate Windows 11 to SSD without reinstalling OS and data loss for free! For this, we are going to use one of the best Windows 11 SSD cloning tools to make your job easier.
With Microsoft’s move to make Windows 11 the next-generation operating system, you’re probably planning to get your PC up and running with Windows 11 on your SSD rather than the HDD. Due to the drastic speed improvements and compact size, SSDs are always recommended to install an operating system.
If you really want to clone Windows 11 to SSD from your old HDD, you may seem a bit laborious task first but wait, we’ve made the process super simple for you. In this article, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process to migrate Windows 11 to SSD while providing you with a bit of knowledge regarding the subject. This will help you understand the process better and have a clear-cut idea about what you are gonna deal with and how to handle your files as well.
Contents
Prerequisites
Before you actually dive into the process of migrating Windows 11 to SSD, you need a bit of preparation. They are as follows:
- Format your SSD (take a backup if needed).
- Make sure your SSD is connected to your PC/laptop, whether it’s via a USB to SATA adapter, or if it’s in a disk bay within your cabinet (for desktop PCs)
- Make sure the SSD drive is recognized under the Devices & drives section in This PC.
Note: The AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition tool used here only supports migration of Windows 11 OS from MBR disk to MBR disk only. If you want to migrate from MBR to GPT, GPT to MBR, or GPT to GPT disk, you will need to upgrade from standard to professional edition of the software which is a paid one.
Also, it is important to note that if you are migrating Windows 11 to GPT SSD, your motherboard must support EFI or UEFI boot mode. Otherwise, you will not be able to boot the OS from the cloned SSD. You can use the same software to convert GPT into MBR disk as well.
How to Migrate Windows 11 to SSD without Data Loss
- First, download and install a disk cloning software. Here we’re using AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition. You can download it from this link.
- Install and open the software.
- In the left sidebar, click on Migrate OS to SSD option. An about window that gives an introduction to the process will open, read it once and click Next.
- Now select the unallocated space on your SSD as the target disk or destination disk. Check the confirmation box and then click Next.
- You can resize the system disk partition and change drives on this window. Click Finish in the pop-up that appears then.
- Now confirm all the operations and here the E drive is the cloned Windows 11 OS. Click on Apply and then Proceed to copy Windows 11 to SSD. A system reboot will be needed to apply the changes.
- Once the migration of Windows 11 to SSD completes, disconnect the cloned SSD and shut down your PC.
- Now replace the HDD with the newly cloned SSD disk. Extra care should be taken while playing with hardware.
- In case you want to keep the old hard drive and boot from SSD, you can do it by changing the boot device priority in BIOS.
- To enter BIOS, restart your PC and press the BIOS key (may vary depending on the brand) repeatedly. Visit this page if you don’t know the BIOS key of your computer.
- In BIOS, under the Boot menu move your SSD to the first position using the keys specified on the right side of the BIOS screen.
- After the successful migration of the OS, if you want to free up space you can format the old Windows 11 drive. But test the newly cloned Windows 11 thoroughly before formatting the old drive.
Why Migrate Windows 11 to SSD?
Migrating Windows 11 to SSD simply means moving all your contents on Windows 11 drive and system-related partition to a Solid State Device or SSD. This will help you boot your Windows 11 operating system directly from the SSD after successful migration. When you ask why should I transfer Windows 11 to SSD from an HDD, there are basically 2 reasons.
- For improved performance: With the obvious speed concerns, SSD is far better than the hard disk drives as the latter will quickly slow down while using for a long time. Moving Windows 11 to SSD will significantly improve the booting time and the overall performance of your system.
- No need for a clean install: When you copy or transfer Windows 11 to SSD from your HDD, you will get the exact pre-installed windows 11 without changing any of your files, programs, and settings.
Clean Install or Transfer Windows 11 to SSD?
This is totally up to you. If you don’t want to lose your data and applications installed on your system, cloning is the best option for you. This is because cloning will completely move Windows 11 to SSD without data loss.
If you don’t require any backup or don’t really need any software or files in the old Windows 11 on HDD, then you can go for a clean install of Windows 11 OS straight on the SSD partition.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to move Windows 11 to SSD without reinstalling the system or the OS and without any data loss. So if you really want to improve the booting speed and boost your overall system performance, then consider spending some buck on a good solid-state device and transfer Windows 11 to SSD right away.
Read our other article to explore the brand new Windows 11 operating system.