备份(Backup)对于任何使用计算机的人来说都是一个重要的部分，但有时我们出于各种原因需要克隆驱动器。虽然磁盘管理(Disk Management)工具中没有直接克隆硬盘驱动器的功能，但仍然可以使用另一种方法。然后有许多免费工具可以克隆硬盘驱动器，我将在这篇文章中讨论。这适用于Windows 11和Windows 10。
克隆硬盘驱动器(Drive)——这是什么意思？
克隆意味着创建原始副本。这同样适用于数字世界。但是，请不要将其与备份或复制混淆。例如，您可以将整个数据或您的硬盘复制到另一个，但您不能从它启动。另一方面，克隆(Clone)是数字副本，可在灾难恢复时使用。换句话说，这将允许您切换硬盘驱动器并几乎立即恢复 PC。
如何在Windows 11/10硬盘(Hard Drive)
Windows提供了内置的备份-恢复功能，可用于创建硬盘驱动器的克隆。您可以使用此功能来备份Windows或恢复以前的版本。在进行备份时，创建系统映像的能力，即原始磁盘的逐扇区副本，使其成为完美的克隆制造商。
注意：(Note:)如果您想将Windows克隆到外部硬盘驱动器，此方法也适用。但是，您可能无法将其用作主驱动器。
以下是创建系统映像备份(System Image Backup)的步骤：
首先，您必须确保要使用的存储设备有足够的空间用于系统映像备份(System Image Backup)文件。其次，确保删除任何不必要的文件以减少克隆时间。
- 打开开始菜单(Start Menu)，键入控制(Control)，然后打开控制面板(Control Panel)。
- 然后找到备份或恢复您的文件链接。
- 打开后，单击创建(Create)系统映像链接。它将打开另一个提示。
- 你在这里有三个选择——
- 在硬盘上选择，然后选择外部驱动器或连接到计算机的其他驱动器。如果驱动器不是NTFS格式，Windows会发出警告。(Windows)如果是这种情况，您可以将驱动器格式化为NTFS。当您右键单击它并选择Format > NTFS时，会显示该选项。
- 点击(Click)Next，确认设置，系统镜像创建将开始。完成后，您可以拔下外部驱动器并确保其安全。
如何使用系统映像(System Image)恢复 PC？
要使用系统映像(System Image)，您需要使用可引导的USB 驱动器将 PC 引导至(USB Drive)Advanced Recovery。在那里，导航到Troubleshoot > Advanced Options >选择系统(System)映像恢复。
连接外部驱动器，然后选择恢复 PC。Windows 系统映像恢复(Windows System Image Recovery)过程将使用该映像，然后将其克隆到计算机的主磁盘。完成后，您可以定期启动，并且您的 PC 应该已启动并运行。
第三方克隆软件
虽然系统映像备份(System Image Backup)有效，但第三方软件提供了更多选项。以下是我们在 Windows 的免费备份软件下(under free backup software for Windows.)讨论的软件列表中的一些免费工具。
克隆尼西拉：
它是最简单、最简单的备份和恢复软件，可以轻松克隆硬盘。它是免费的，并且不需要大量的计算机知识即可使用它。您可以使用适合单机场景的Clonezilla Live 。
Macrium 软件反射免费：
它提供磁盘克隆、差异映像、还原非启动系统、支持Hyper-V 虚拟机中的备份、创建运行Windows 操作系统的映像、在(Windows OS)Windows 资源管理器(Windows Explorer)中浏览备份内容以及直接磁盘克隆。
驱动图像 XML：
如果您曾经使用过Norton Ghost，那么它是一个很好的替代品。该软件使您能够创建任何驱动器或分区的完整备份映像。您可以使用它稍后恢复到相同或另一个分区。您还可以将驱动器克隆到另一个驱动器。
Windows 可以将 HDD 克隆到 SSD 吗？
是的。大多数SSD都附带允许用户从HDD迁移到SSD以提高性能的软件。他们创建一个克隆，当您切换引导设备时，它将是无缝的。
(Does)克隆硬盘驱动器会复制操作系统吗？
是的。克隆或创建系统映像(System Image)意味着逐扇区复制。因此它将复制引导(Boot)扇区、操作系统、程序、驱动程序和所有文件。但是，如果您在很长一段时间后切换驱动器或恢复，则需要通过各种方式对其进行更新。
克隆后是否需要激活Windows ？
不可以，但是，如果您连接到硬件已完全更改的另一台 PC，您可能需要重新激活或将密钥转移到新的Windows PC。
我可以进行实时硬盘克隆吗？
不，Windows 无法做到这一点。实时硬盘(HDD)克隆意味着您对 C 驱动器所做的任何更改都会立即被克隆。但是，这是一个您不能依赖的过程，逐个扇区的写入会对系统造成影响，因此即使第三方软件提供它，它充其量也只是一个实时备份解决方案。
如何在Windows中将我的硬盘分区克隆到SSD？
是的，可以通过第三方软件从驱动器中选择要克隆的分区，然后将其克隆到目标驱动器。但是，每次执行此操作时，目标驱动器中的所有内容都将被删除。
我希望这篇文章很容易理解，并且您能够在 Windows 11/10 上克隆硬盘
How to Clone a Hard Drive on Windows 11/10
Backup is an important part for anyone who uses a computer, but there are times when we need to clone the drive for variouѕ reaѕons. While there is no direct fеature to clone a hard drive in the Disk Management tool, another method can still be done. Then there are many free tools tо clone а hard drive which I will discuss in this рost. This works on Windows 11 and Wіndows 10.
Cloning a Hard Drive — What does it mean?
Cloning means creating a replica of the original. The same applies to the digital world. However, please do not confuse it with backup or copy. For example, you may copy entire data or your hard disk to another, but you can not boot from it. On the other hand, Clone is a digital copy and can be used at times of disaster recovery. In other words, this will allow you to switch the hard drive and restore the PC almost instantly.
How to Ghost or Clone a Hard Drive on Windows 11/10
Windows offers a built-in backup-restore feature that can be used to create a clone of a hard drive. You can use this feature to make a backup of Windows or to restore a previous version. While made backup, the ability to create a system image, i.e., sector by sector copy of the original disk, makes it a perfect Clone maker.
Note: This method also works if you want to clone Windows to an external hard drive. However, you may not be able to use it as a primary drive.
Here are the steps to create a System Image Backup:
First, you have to make sure that the storage device you want to use has enough space for the System Image Backup file. Second, make sure to remove any unnecessary files to reduce the time of cloning.
- Open Start Menu, and type Control, and then open the Control Panel.
- Then locate the backup or restore your files link.
- Once it opens, click on Create a system image link. It will open another prompt.
- You have three options here—
- On a hard disk,
- On one more DVD, and
- On a network location.
- Select on a hard disk, and select the external drive or another drive connected to the computer. The Windows will warn if the drive is not NTFS formatted. If that’s the case, you can format the drive to NTFS. The option shows up when you right-click on it and select Format > NTFS.
- Click on Next, confirm the settings, and the system image creation will start. Once it completes, you can unplug the external drive and keep it safe.
How to use System Image to Recover PC?
To use the System Image, you need to boot the PC into Advanced Recovery using a bootable USB Drive. Once there, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > choose System image recovery.
Connect the external drive, and choose to recover the PC. The Windows System Image Recovery process will use the image and then clone it to the computer’s primary disk. Once done, you can boot regularly, and your PC should be up and running.
Third-Party Cloning Software
While System Image Backup works, third-party software offers more options. Here are some free tools from the software list we have discussed under free backup software for Windows.
Clonezilla:
It is the simplest and bare bone backup and recovery software that can easily clone a hard drive. It’s free, and it doesn’t require a lot of computer knowledge to make use of it. You can use Clonezilla Live that is suitable for a single-machine scenario.
Macrium Software Reflect Free:
It offers disk cloning, differential imaging, restore non-booting systems, supports backup in Hyper-V virtual machines, create images of running Windows OS, browse backup contents in Windows Explorer, and direct disk cloning.
DriveImage XML:
If you have ever used Norton Ghost, then it’s a great alternative to it. The software enables you to create a complete backup image of any drive or partition. You can use it to restore later to the same or another partition. You can also clone a drive to another.
Can Windows clone HDD to SSD?
Yes. Most of the SSD come with software that allows users to migrate from HDD to SSD to boost performance. They create a clone, and when you switch the boot device, it will be seamless.
Does cloning a hard drive copy the OS?
Yes. Cloning or creating a System Image means sector by sector copy. So it will copy the Boot sector, the OS, programs, drivers, and all the files. However, if you switch drive or restore after a long gap, it will need to be updated by all means.
Do you need to activate Windows after cloning?
No, however, if you connect to a different PC where hardware has completely changed, you may have to reactivate or transfer the key to a new Windows PC.
Can I do real-time HDD cloning?
No, Windows can not do that. Real-time HDD cloning means any change made in your C drive gets instantly cloned. However, that’s a process you cant rely on, sector by sector writing takes a toll on the system, and hence even if third-party software offers it, it will be a real-time backup solution at best.
How to clone a partition of my hard drive to SSD in Windows?
Yes, it is possible through third-party software to select which partition to clone from a drive and then clone it to the destination drive. However, every time you do it, everything in the destination drive will be deleted.
I hope the post was easy to follow, and you were able to clone a hard drive on Windows 11/10
