If you’re still using a hard drive as your main boot drive, you could really benefit from moving Windows to another drive — preferably a solid-state drive. To keep your existing data as is but enjoy the SSD speed, you’ll need to move your operating system (and all the data it holds) over to the new drive. That’s not as complicated as it sounds, though, and it means you’ll get up and running again far quicker than if you simply started from scratch.

Windows 10 doesn’t make this simple, but the instructions below make cloning and swapping your Windows 10 install to a new hard drive as easy as possible.

Difficulty

What You Need

An SSD (M.2 or traditional 2.5 inch SATA)

Desktop PC or laptop

Migration software

We’ll show you how to move Windows 10 to an SSD in just a few steps. Take note, though, this guide is aimed at people who are only switching drives, even though this method may work if you’re building a new rig or swapping computers, depending on your setup. It likely won’t work with any virtualization project, though you can find those services if you’re willing to pay for them.

Before you start trying to move Windows 10 to a new drive, it’s important to install the new drive so it’s ready for the process. For tips on that, check out our in-depth guide onhow to build a PC.

Download Macrium Reflect Free

As part of our guide, we’ll be usingMacrium Reflect Free. This software will let you clone your main drive with Windows 10 installed on it to a new SSD for free. Note that you’ll also need a destination SSD that’s larger or equal to your main drive for cloning. Otherwise, this won’t work.

Step 1:Headto the websiteand choose the Reflect 8 Free Commercial option. Click theDownload freebutton and enter in your email. ChooseI need a personal free license.

Step 2:Once you choose that option, click theContinuebutton and then check your email for download instructions.

Step 3:Visit the link in your email, download the app, and install it. During setup, choose theFreeoption and chooseDownloadat the bottom. Make sure theRun installer directly after downloadingbutton is also clicked so the app will auto-install.

Step 4:Follow instructions on your screen. Keep clickingNexton the prompts and uncheck any boxes for installing extra software. Click theFinishbutton and let the app install. When done, clickLaunch now.

Configure Macrium Reflect 8 for drive cloning

Once Macrium Reflect 8 is installed, you can open the software and start the cloning process. Here’s how.

Step 1:Click on theLocal diskstab at the top and choose your main disk with your data. Choose theClone this diskoption in the middle of the app. You’ll known this is your main disk as it will have multiple partitions on it.

Step 2:Next, click all of the check marks on the main disk. ensure everything and all partitions are checked.

Step 3:Head down to theSelect a disk to clone toarea, then select your new SSD from the list in the app. If you don’t see it, reboot the app. You’ll want to choose theErase diskoption and erase the SSD so it’s blank, as in our screenshot below.

Step 4:To continue, choose theCopy selected partitions when I click nextoption and ensure it is checked. Click theNextbutton to proceed.

Step 5:You’ll be taken to an optional schedule page. Skip this, and clickNext.You’ll see a summary of everything you’re about to complete, as we have below. Click theFinishbutton.

Step 6:In the pop-up menu, choose theRun this backup nowbox. Agree to any warnings, and clickContinue>OK.

Step 7:Sit back and wait while your disk is cloned. It could take quite a while, depending on the speed of your PC and the type of SSD you’re using. Our clone took seven minutes.

Step 8:When done, you should see that your drive is now fully cloned and both look the same in Macrium Reflect 8’s utility, as pictured above.

Change your new SSD to the boot drive

To end this process, you’ll want to set your new drive as the main boot drive. You can leave the old drive in your PC if you plan to use it for something else. Otherwise, you can physically remove it too.

Step 1:Boot into your PC’s BIOS or UEFI settings. Usually, ESC works for this, or you can use theDeletekey. If you’re not sure, consult online guides or your PC maker’s support page.

Step 2:Head into theBoot settingstab and remove or disable your old drive as one of the boot options, then add or enable the new drive in its place instead. Some BIOS or UEFI will let you drag the drive around or select it from a checklist.

Step 3:Once you have your new drive as the main boot option, click theSave and exitbutton, usually labeled in the BIOS. Your system should now boot to your new SSD!

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth moving Windows 10 to a new SSD?

Moving your data from a traditional spinning hard drive to an SSD has an enormous performance benefit. SSDs are much faster than hard drives, meaning if you can move Windows 10 to a new drive, your PC will boot a lot faster. Your games will also load quicker and apps will perform better, too.We have a dedicated guidethat explains the differences, but ultimately, your whole system will feel more responsive once you have Windows installed on an SSD.

Do I need to reinstall Windows when moving to an SSD?

You won’t actually need to reinstall Windows when moving to a new drive. This is as long as you use the software we mention in this piece.

Using specialized software, you can “clone” your drive and copy over Windows exactly as you left it. In the worst-case scenario, you might just have to reactivate Windows after you move to the SSD, which should not be a problem. Ourseparate guidecovers issues with Windows activation.

If all else fails, you’re able to back up your existing Windows 10 installation and restore from it at a later point after installing Windows 11 to the new SSD on your PC. Our guide also coversbackupsand reinstalls.

In our guide, we use Macrium Reflect 8 as clone software, but there are many others, likeEaseUS Todo Backup FreeorAOMEI Backupper Standard. Additionally, if for some reason you end up having issues, then we suggest you place your old drive back into your PC and back it up to a separate external SSD. Then, clean-install Windows and restore your files and apps manually.