How to copy a disk partition. Hard drive cloning program for Windows

A fairly simple question and at the same time quite complex. If a disk partition or an entire disk has a small volume or if there is not much information on it, then you can use the usual copying of all files from one disk to another. You can use synchronization. This method is more reliable and will not give you a chance of files and folders disappearing. Synchronization can be performed using one of the popular and reliable programs, for example the program GoodSync or FreeFileSync . You can read about both in detail by clicking on the links.

But it is better to copy large-volume hard drives using specialized utilities. This will reduce the occurrence of errors to zero, and the disk to which you copy the information will be an exact copy of its predecessor. Synchronization utilities or Windows capabilities such precision cannot be achieved.

Such utilities include Acronis Disk Director , AOMEI Partition Assistant , and others.

These utilities can not only copy information from one disk to another, but also transfer the operating system. For example, you bought a fast SSD drive and you want the operating system to be on it, and old hard the disk will be used for data. In addition, programs of this class will apply the necessary parameters so that the SSD drive is configured correctly and its service life is not reduced.

It is the latter option that we will use. Why exactly ?

It all depends not only on preferences. It’s just that the previous two didn’t want to work on my laptop. AOMEI Partition Assistant simply froze at the start of operation, and Acronis Disk Director offered to perform the operation after rebooting the system. Accordingly, I agreed and after rebooting the application did not start.

Therefore, I settled on Paragon Hard Disk Manager version 16.

To get started, go to the menu section " Drive Copy"Next, click on the disk partition that you want to copy. A menu will open from which you need to select “ Copy this Volume" The program will “think” a little and open the following window.

In the next step, you need to specify the disk partition to which all information will be copied. The program will warn you that all information on the disk will be erased. If you are confident in your actions, then check the box next to “ I know that the data on the target drive will be overwritten" Otherwise, make sure once again that the disk to which the partition will be copied does not have any important data.

At the next stage, you can specify the letter of the future disk, size, occupied space before and after the partition. If you are not sure, leave everything as it is at this stage, everything will work without intervention. Next, click several more times on “ Next", and then " Finish».

Please note that nothing will work yet at this stage. You have entered instructions for further execution. To start the operation, you need to click on the “ Apply" in the upper left corner of the program window. This procedure is performed so that the operation can be canceled at the last moment, since programs of this class, if used incorrectly, can lead to disastrous results, such as completely erasing the disk with data loss.

After pressing " Apply» The copying process will start. It can take more than one hour, it all depends on the volume of the disk. So be patient. You can go do other work, keep yourself busy with something. For example, I went fishing, and when I returned the program finished its work :).

For migration operating system Use the option " Migrate OS from this Volume" instead of " Copy this Volume " and follow the same instructions as above. You can accurately transfer Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 in this way.

Initial conditions: Your system has more than one hard drive. One of them already has an operating system installed, and on the second you installed Windows 7. There is a need to remove it from the system HDD, on which Windows 7 is not installed. But it turned out that without this disk your system does not want to boot.

This happened because one of the three conditions for a successful download was no longer met:

the partition from which the boot is performed must be active;
boot sector partition must be compatible with bootmgr;
The active partition must contain operating system boot files. For Windows 7 this is the file bootmgr and boot configuration data store ( BCD), located in a hidden and system folder Boot.

Let's consider the solution to the problem using the example of the configuration shown in the figure.

The screenshot of Disk Management shows that the C: drive on which Windows 7 is installed is not active. The active drive is D:. Files Windows boot 7 (they are hidden and system) on drive C: will also not be detected. Task: transfer the bootloader from drive D: to drive C:, that is, ensure compliance with the above conditions.

Using a Windows 7 installation or recovery disc

If you have these disks, transfer boot files is not difficult. Physically disconnect the “unnecessary” hard drive, boot from the disk, setting the CD-DVD drive as the first boot device in the BIOS, and enter the recovery environment. After scanning and searching for installed operating systems is completed, perform Startup Repair. The recovery program will prepare the hard drive as needed and copy it to it. necessary files. After a reboot, downloading will be restored.

If you don't have any installation disk, or a recovery disk, you can use the method described below.

Transferring boot files using the bcdboot.exe utility

Conventionally, we can divide the upcoming operation into three stages, corresponding to the three necessary conditions for successful loading.

First: go to the "Disk Management" snap-in (Win + R, in the "Run" line type diskmgmt.msc and click OK) and see what letter is assigned to the first disk partition on the left that you plan to keep. It is this section that we will make bootable and active: click right click mouse over the selected section and select the context menu item "Make section active". Please note that this section must have a "primary" attribute.

Second: run command line with administrator rights. All commands discussed below will be executed sequentially without exiting the command line.

DISKPART list disk sel disk X list partition sel part 1 active exit

where X is the number of the disk that is supposed to be left in the list of disks (command list disk).

To do this you will need a utility bootsect.exe, which, in the absence of an installation disk, can be obtained here. Download and unpack it in advance, for example, into the root directory of the C: partition.

C:\bootsect /nt60 All /force

note: experience shows that if there are 2 or more HDD keys in the configuration /force necessary.

Bcdboot %Windir% /l ru-Ru /s C:

Key /l- selecting language settings for the download manager. If your system is not Russian-language, use other values for this key, for example, for in English- en-Us, for German - de-DE, etc.

Key /s- specifies the volume letter assigned to the target system partition to which boot environment files are copied. This is the section that we have made active. Because the command firmware defaults to the current system partition(before removing the hard drive - this is partition D:), using this key with the letter of the intended boot partition - Necessarily!

Let's make the disk active. There are two ways to make the desired section active.
We rewrite the boot sector (make it compatible with bootmgr):
We transfer the BCD and the bootmgr file to the new active partition:

Checking and editing BCD

Run the command

Bcdedit /store C:\boot\bcd

Enlarge picture

Based on the results of the command, check the parameters (underlined in the screenshot):

in the "Windows Boot Manager" section the option device must be equal to the letter of the new active partition, in our case - and osdevice must be equal to the letter of the partition on which the Windows directories are currently located. In our case, this is also WITH:.
in case of discrepancy, make the necessary changes using the commands:

bcdedit /store C:\boot\bcd /set (bootmgr) device partition=С: bcdedit /store C:\boot\bcd /set (current) device partition=С: bcdedit /store C:\boot\bcd /set ( current) osdevice partition=С:

Usually there is no need to run commands, but it doesn't hurt to check. Instead of an identifier (current), it can be (default), or even alphanumeric. Then in commands you need to use the one that is used for loading.

So, moving download files to another drive is not such a difficult task.

Instead of a conclusion, or "Russian-language multiboot menu"

Due to the fact that the startup recovery program running from the recovery environment uses the default parameters, the boot manager language becomes English. If there is one bootable system, this is not noticeable, but if there is a multiboot menu, it is noticeable. If you are not satisfied with this, run on the command line:

Bcdboot %Windir% /l ru-Ru

You need to run it after transferring the download files to the new partition.

Reading time: 10 min

In this article we will look at programs that will help you quickly clone (copy) a hard drive to another hard drive. Such knowledge will be useful to any owner of a computer or laptop.

Upgrading a computer or laptop often involves replacing the hard drive with a larger capacity and faster one. Users are faced with the problem of transferring information from installed media to a new one, because in order to reinstall the system, drivers and required applications, have to spend a large number of time.

In this situation, it is much easier to carry out full or partial cloning of an HDD or SSD using one of the specialized programs. Setting up and working with them does not require special knowledge, and the time spent on the cloning process is an order of magnitude less than on OS installation and configuration.

Copying a hard drive in Acronis True Image

One of the functions of this useful program- disk cloning, which, by the way, can be configured very finely depending on the tasks of a particular user. To avoid possible errors During the operation, you do not need to use Acronis True Image from a running OS - it is recommended to launch the application using a boot disk. Therefore, you will need an Acronis BootCD/DVD distribution, which will need to be unpacked onto a DVD or even onto a flash drive, for example, using the UltraISO, UNetbootin, etc. applications.

After creating bootable media, you can proceed directly to cloning:

Boot from the drive created using Acronis BootCD/DVD.
In the main Acronis window, open the Tools and Utilities section.
On the right in the list of utilities, go to “Disk cloning” and select the automatic process mode. Click Next.
Left-click on the source disk with the copied information, click “Next”.
In the next window, select the target disk to which you plan to clone the old HDD. The target drive can be either an HDD or a high-speed modern SSD.

If copying is made to solid state drive, then the usual situation will be when its capacity is less than the connected HDD. In this case, Acronis True Image will display a message about the need to exclude some files and folders from the cloning process.

Usually only the system is transferred to an SSD, so for an exact copy you can select only the main partition of the disk (usually “C”), excluding partitions or separate files With unnecessary information. If the disk capacity allows you to clone the old drive completely, you can click “Next”, after which the process of sector-by-sector low-level disk copying will start.

Note that the application is paid, but it is feature-rich, works very quickly and, as was shown, has the ability to select data on the hard drive for transfer.

Using Paragon Hard Disk Manager

This multifunctional application is only slightly inferior in popularity to the program described above. It is also convenient to use it for cloning information on storage devices:

Like Acronis True Image, it is better to run the application in question for reliable sector-by-sector data copying not from Windows, but from a boot drive. You can create it in the program itself, using a special rescue media creation wizard:

Note that Paragon Hard Disk Manager is also a paid application, but its functionality is no less than that of Acronis True Image. Both of them work with any disks and file systems, support Windows 8.1 and 10.

Disk cloning using EASEUS Disk Copy

This small application, unlike those discussed earlier, is completely free, but nevertheless allows you to reliably clone sector by sector hard disks, their individual sections and migrate the OS to various drives, including solid-state SSDs. The program is launched from a bootable DVD or flash drive, for which you need to download a free distribution kit for installation on the utility’s official website. After running the executable installation file The wizard will offer a choice:

install EASEUS Disk Copy on a USB flash drive,
on optical drive,
Export the ISO image of the utility to your computer disk.

Simple and quick option- create bootable USB flash drive, i.e. the first from the list.

IN next window specify the disk to be copied and the drive to which the information will be transferred sector-by-sector. A certain disadvantage of the application is the lack of Russian localization.

After cloning a boot disk with Windows 10, sometimes the system may not boot. In this case:

If the error File:\Boot\BCD appears after booting, restore Windows boot loader.

Cloning disks with Macrium Reflect utility

This is another small utility that is distributed free of charge. Its functionality includes cloning HDDs and SSDs, creating their full images, as well as images of individual partitions that can be used in the OS as virtual media. The installer can be obtained from application website, when launching it you need to specify the installation directory and select the “Free” license.

When you launch Macrium Reflect for the first time, it will prompt you to create boot disk, which should be agreed with, since when working in Windows environment cloning may be subject to errors. After starting the program:

In the main window, select the disk to be cloned.
Under the selected drive, click on the “Clone this disk” link and in the next window, specify the drive to which you want to transfer the information.

Using Farstone RestoreIT Pro Utility

This paid application used to create backups of any information on disks, preserving the current state of the system, and in case of unexpected failures, restoring it literally by pressing a single button.

The way it works is that it overwrites the boot sector of the disk, adding itself to it, and also creates an additional logical drive to record all reserved information. In fact, Farstone RestoreIT Pro creates system restore points, and with its help you can roll back not only the entire disk, but also separate sections.

You can activate or deactivate the application in context menu, the latter is opened by clicking on the tray icon. This feature allows you to save system resources when you are sure that its state does not change at the moment. Farstone RestoreIT Pro can create bootable CD/DVDs or even floppy disks, with which you can not only restore a disk if it cannot boot normally, but also the main boot entry MBR with partition table.

How to quickly copy a hard drive to another hard drive (HDD/SSD)

4.3 (85.45%) 11 votes.

When replacing a hard drive with a new one, for example, a more capacious or high-speed one, as a rule, there is a need to transfer information from the old drive to it.

If you do it manually, reinstall the system, programs and copy user files, then you can spend the whole day.

It is much more convenient to entrust this to automation - special programs for cloning hard drives. With their help, all files, settings and the system itself will simply “move to a new location” in the form in which they were on the old media.

Hard disk cloning is a procedure for low-level sector-by-sector data transfer from one medium to another. In this case, the clone disk will be an exact copy of the original disk.

Hard drive cloning

Many paid and free programs. Among them there are universal ones, working with any HDD and SSD, and highly specialized ones, designed for drives of a certain brand, for example, only Samsung or only Western Digital.

Let's look at five popular and easiest-to-use programs for cloning hard drives to SSDs or HDDs from any manufacturer.

EASEUS Disk Copy

Farstone RestoreIT Pro is primarily a system and user data recovery tool after failures, virus attacks, changes and accidental deletion.

This program does not create disk clones as such, but can create backups of any information on them.

The frequency of backups in RestoreIT Pro can be configured at least hourly. And restoration to a saved copy is done by pressing one button.

RestoreIT Pro features:

the ability to restore the system even after bootloader damage;
2 backup modes - full and cumulative (saving only changed data);
monitoring the entire disk or only selected partitions;
storing the entire history of file changes, not just the last saved version.

The disadvantages of the program are the paid license ($24.95) and the lack of a disk cloning function.

The main problem when changing a hard drive is the need to install and configure the operating system and programs from scratch. It takes a lot of time and effort.

The solution to the problem is automatic disk cloning (HDD, SSD) using special software.

Cloning is the process of sector-by-sector transfer of the operating system, software and personal files of the user from one disk to another. Unlike Reserve copy or creating a disk image (ISO), cloning creates a 100% copy of the original media: the main partitions, structure and software.

The new cloned disk turns out almost identical to the old one. This means you don't have to re-configure work environment, activate the system and restore software licenses. The difference between it and the original media is that the operating system is removed from the binding to the computer hardware, but it also becomes impossible to roll back the system to its original settings while preserving user data and reinstall it in update mode.

Preparing for cloning

Before you start cloning, make sure that nothing will interfere with the process:

If you are using a laptop, charge the battery;
Troubleshoot problems that cause your computer to reboot or shut down (if any).

It is also advisable to do backups important data.

Connect the receiver disk via any available interface. The process will go faster if both media are connected to SATA 6 Gb or faster connectors, but if this is not possible, use, for example, USB (USB-SATA adapters are sold in computer stores).

Time cloning hard disk depends on the following factors:

Program capabilities.
Disk capacity. The larger it is, the longer the utility takes to transfer files, partitions and structure.
Speed and type of source and destination drive: When working with SSD (solid state media), the process is faster than with HDD (magnetic hard drives).

Cloning utilities

We present to your attention the best, in our opinion, utilities for cloning hard drives.

Renee Becca

Macrium Reflect

The main advantage of Macrium Reflect is that it is simple and user-friendly interface. The program is also free for home use.

While the utility is running, disable heavy applications, as the program is demanding on computer resources.

To make a clone of a storage medium, you need:

Handy Backup

Handy Backup is an easy-to-use program for creating physical and logical copies of disks. The utility creates an exact copy of the HDD while completely preserving its structure.

Cloning is performed in automatic mode: You don't have to manually clean up junk, move files, or fix registry crashes.

For permanent job You need to purchase a license with this software. A 30-day trial is available for free. It is sufficient to perform basic functions. The interface has been translated into Russian.

How to use Handy Backup:

HDClone

HDClone is another universal hard drive cloning tool that allows you to work with drives with a capacity of 137 GB or more.

Acronis True Image

A special feature of Acronis True Image is that copies created in it can be stored not only on your computer, but also in cloud storage Acronis Cloud. When storing data in the cloud, a copy of the disk can be accessed from any device connected to the Internet. To protect data, the program uses AES-256 encryption.

To use all the features of the utility, you need to buy a subscription. The cost of the standard version is 1,700 rubles. Available trial version for 30 days.