If you’re looking to move your existing Windows 11 operating system from one drive to another, whether it’s an SSD or a hard drive, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process using Disk Genius. I’ll be migrating Windows 11 from a 480GB SSD to a 120GB SSD, but the steps apply regardless of your drive sizes.
Key Takeaways
- Disk Genius allows easy system migration from one drive to another, whether it’s an SSD or HDD.
- The tool offers two migration methods: Hot Migration and rebooting to Windows PE.
- Disk Genius’ free version is sufficient for basic operating system migrations.
Requirements
To complete this process, you will need the following:
- Disk Genius software (free version)
- Two connected drives (the source drive with your Windows installation and the target drive where you want to migrate the OS)
Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Windows 11 with Disk Genius
Download and Install Disk Genius
To begin, you’ll need to download Disk Genius.
Head over to diskgenius.com and download the free version.
Once downloaded, go to your Downloads folder, find the installation file, and double-click to start the setup.
Follow the installation wizard, select your preferred language, and install the program. After installation, uncheck the box and launch Disk Genius.
Select Drives for Migration
After launching Disk Genius, you’ll see all the drives connected to your computer on the left side of the interface. In this case, I have my Transcend 480GB SSD (source drive) and the SanDisk 120GB SSD (target drive) connected.
Click on Tools at the top and select System Migration.
Configure the Migration
Now, you need to select the System Partition. Choose the drive with your current Windows installation, which should be labeled as the C: drive. In my case, that’s the Transcend 480GB SSD.
Next, choose the Target Disk (the drive you want to migrate to). For me, it’s the SanDisk SSD 120GB.
Finalizing and Starting the Migration
You’ll receive a warning stating that the target disk will be formatted. Make sure there is no important data on the target drive before proceeding.
There’s an option to adjust the partition sizes on the target disk. If needed, resize them here. This is generally only needed when cloning from a smaller drive to a larger drive as shown in the example below.
Make sure to check the box that says “When finished, change computer boot sequence”. This tells your computer to automatically boot from the new drive after migration.
Choose Hot Migration if you want to migrate without rebooting your computer (though I recommend using the Windows PE environment for safety). Make sure all running programs are closed before starting. When ready, click Start to begin the migration.
Checking the Migration
Once the process is complete, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Select Yes, and your system should boot from the new drive.
To verify, open File Explorer, navigate to This PC, and check the size of your C: drive. It should now reflect the capacity of your new drive.
(Optional) Using the Windows PE Environment
If the Hot Migration method doesn’t work, you can use the Windows PE environment for a more reliable system migration. Here’s how it works:
- First, select the option Reboot to Win PE in Disk Genius.
- You might be prompted to install additional software that’s available from Microsoft which allows your computer to create a Windows PE environment, go ahead and install it.
- Your computer will automatically restart and boot into the Windows PE environment, which is a pre-boot setup designed to clone your system outside of the active Windows environment.
- Once inside the Windows PE environment, Disk Genius will begin the migration process.
- After the migration completes, your computer will restart again, this time booting from the new drive where you’ve migrated your system.
Using the Windows PE method can sometimes result in a smoother and more dependable transfer.
Conclusion
Migrating your Windows 11 operating system to a new SSD or hard drive can be easily accomplished using Disk Genius. This step-by-step guide ensures that your system migrates smoothly, whether you choose to perform a hot migration or use the Windows PE environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to migrate Windows 11 with Disk Genius?
The time depends on the size of your system and the performance of your drives. For a 480GB SSD, it typically takes 30-60 minutes.
What’s the difference between Hot Migration and Windows PE environment?
Hot Migration allows you to clone the system without rebooting, while Windows PE requires a restart and creates a pre-boot environment for safer migration.
Is Disk Genius free to use for system migration?
Yes, the free version of Disk Genius supports system migration.
Can I clone to a smaller drive?
Yes, as long as the data on the source drive fits on the target drive.
What happens if the migration fails?
If Hot Migration fails, you can always retry using the Windows PE environment option for a more reliable process.
