2021 Complete Guide: How to Boot from SSD After Cloning

If your Samsung cloned SSD won't boot after migrating Windows OS to SSD using a reliable disk cloning software, don't worry. On this page, we'll provide a complete guide to show you why the cloned SSD is unbootable and help you make it bootable after cloning.

Follow this complete guide to make your computer boot up from your new SSD now:

PAGE CONTENT:

#Guide 1. Why Won't My Computer Boot from Cloned SSD
#Guide 2. How to Boot from Cloned SSD
#Guide 3. What To Do with Old Drive After Cloning

To boot your computer from an SSD after cloning, follow these steps. First, make sure the SSD is properly connected to your computer's motherboard.

#Guide 1. Why Won't My Computer Boot From Cloned SSD

Cloning a drive does not make it bootable. Cloning creates an exact copy of the original drive, including all files, settings, and data. However, the cloned drive does not inherit the original drive's boot configuration, which is necessary for the operating system to boot.

Cloning Windows OS or a whole disk to a new HDD/SSD is a simple copying process, but to make Windows boot from the SSD, additional steps are required, including reconfiguring the boot order, updating the UEFI/BIOS settings, and activating the Windows license on the new drive.

1. Replace the old drive

2. Set new SSD as the boot drive in BIOS

3. Boot the computer from the new SSD

If your SSD is still unbootable after trying the previous suggestions, it could be due to several reasons, such as a faulty SSD, a corrupted operating system, a malfunctioning motherboard, or a problem with the SSD's firmware. In such cases, you may need to seek professional help or consider replacing the SSD.

The OS cloning process failed
The cloned SSD not showing in BIOS
The cloned SSD not detected
You cloned a wrong disk (data drive not the OS) to SSD

To make an SSD bootable, follow the complete process outlined in our next guide, which will walk you through the necessary steps.

#Guide 2: Full Guide About How to Boot from SSD

To resolve the issue of an SSD being unbootable, follow these steps: First, check if the SSD is properly connected to the motherboard and if the power cord is securely plugged in. Next, try booting the system from a different port or using a different power source.

After cloning a hard drive to an SSD, you'll need to follow a few steps to successfully boot from the cloned SSD on Windows 10/8/7. First, ensure the SSD is properly installed in your computer.

#1. Check SSD Connection - Install SSD to Computer Correctly

Toolkits: A SATA cable, a screwdriver

Step 1. Check if you are connecting the cloned SSD as an external USB drive.

If yes, unplug it and move to step 2.

Step 2. Open the computer case, install the cloned SSD to your PC via a SATA cable and a power cable.

Step 3. Check if the SSD connection is tight. If not, replug and tight the SSD connection cables.

If you're unsure about installing a new disk, follow the step-by-step guide provided in the link to learn how to install a new HDD or SSD.

#2. Check If Cloned SSD Contains OS - If Not, Reclone OS to SSD

After installing the SSD, restart your computer and check if the new SSD contains your cloned Windows OS by following these steps:.

Step 1. Restart your computer from the original disk.

Step 2. Open Windows File Explorer and open the SSD drive.

Step 3. Look for the "Windows" folder on the SSD drive.

If you find the operating system on the SSD, it means you have a valid operating system installed on the SSD, and you can proceed to the next step.
If you haven't cloned your OS to your SSD, you've probably cloned a data drive to the SSD. In this case, you'll need to re-clone the OS to your SSD. This process should be done using a cloning software, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Guide to Reclone OS to SSD

Toolkits: 1. Windows Disk Management can be used to clone a disk, but it may not be reliable. 2. Qiling Backup is a reliable system clone software that can be used to clone a disk.

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1. Delete Everything on Your SSD

To delete a SSD volume, open Disk Management, locate and right-click on the SSD volume, and select "Delete Volume".
Repeat to delete all volumes on the SSD.

2. Initialize SSD to The Same Partition Style as Old Drive

Step 1. In Disk Management, right-click the old drive and select "Properties" > Check its partition style.

Step 2. Right-click the SSD and select "Initialize Disk" > Set the same partition style - MBR or GPT to SSD.

3. Reclone Windows OS to SSD

To clone the OS to an SSD, you can use professional Windows backup software like Qiling Backup, which can fully execute the OS migration operation for you.

Step by Step Guide to Clone Windows OS to SSD

Qiling Backup is a perfect software for cloning a hard drive to a solid-state drive, making system migration easy, fast, and stable.

Step 1. To migrate a Windows 10 installation to a Solid State Drive, connect the SSD to your computer, launch Qilig Backup, and choose "System Clone".

Step 2. The source disk contains Microsoft Windows 10,

and you need to select the destination disk, which is the SSD you just connected.

Step 3. Click "Proceed". Wait patiently until the process ends and then safely unplug the SSD from your computer.

Since it's an SSD, check the box for "Optimize for SSD" to ensure it runs at its best performance after cloning.

Once you've cloned Windows OS to the new SSD, you can proceed with making the SSD bootable on your computer.

#3. Boot from the Cloned SSD

To make a cloned SSD bootable on a Windows PC, you need to change the boot order in your computer's BIOS. Simply follow these simple steps: [insert steps here]. By doing so, your computer will boot Windows directly from the SSD.

Step 1. Restart PC, press F2/F8/F11 or Del key to enter the BIOS environment.

Step 2. Go to the boot section, set the cloned SSD as the boot drive in BIOS.

Step 3. Save the changes and restart the PC.

Now you should boot the computer from the SSD successfully.

#Guide 3. What to Do with My Old Drive after Cloning

If you've cloned your old hard drive to a new SSD and are wondering what to do with the old drive, you can simply store it in a safe place, such as a drawer or a storage box, to keep it as a backup. This way, you can still access your old files and data if needed. Alternatively, you can also wipe the old drive clean and recycle it or give it away to someone who might need it.

#1. Think About How Will You Deal with the Old Disk

Basically, there are two options:

1. Clean the old drive and sell it online.

2. Clone the old OS drive and use it as a data disk.

With Qiling partition manager software installed on your computer, you can clear your whole old drive by wiping all data from the old disk, either by reinstalling Windows or using the software to clean up the whole disk. This will require you to wipe up all data from the old disk, effectively clearing the whole drive.

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#2. Wipe Data on Old Drive

Here are the simple steps to wipe everything from the old hard drive:

Notice:

Please be aware that wiping data operations are irreversible and cannot be recovered, even with data recovery software. Once you proceed with Qiling Backup, your data will be permanently deleted. Be cautious and consider the consequences before making a decision.

Step 1. Download Qiling Backup for wiping data.

Step 2. Launch the program, select the "Tools" button and Choose "Wipe Data"

Step 3. Select the partition or disk that you want to erase data, and set erase times.

Step 4. Click "Proceed" to wipe data and wait until it finished

#3. Make Use Of the Old Drive

To Sell the Drive: To get rid of an old disk, simply remove it from your PC, take photos of it, and add basic information online, then sell it and send it to your buyer.

To Use the Drive as a Data Disk: To free up space on your computer, partition the hard drive and save new files and data on the new partition. This will keep your operating system and programs on one partition, and your data and files on another, making it easier to manage and maintain your computer.

Sum Up: Clone and Set to Boot from SSD Correctly

The reasons why your computer won't boot from a cloned SSD are typically due to normal issues, including incorrect boot order settings, corrupted boot sectors, or incompatibility with the cloned drive.

1. The source disk can't boot as it's a data drive.

2. Set the wrong drive to boot from.

3. You simply connect the SSD to a computer with a USB cable, and it's ready to use.

4. There are some errors during the cloning process.

To make a cloned SSD bootable, first identify the reason it's not booting. Then, try the solutions listed in Guide 2, which may include fixing the issue that's preventing the SSD from booting. This ensures the cloned SSD is bootable and ready for use.

1. Install SSD correctly to PC

2. This process involves initializing the SSD to match the source disk's partition style, whether it's Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID Partition Table (GPT). This ensures that the SSD is set up correctly for booting and partitioning, mirroring the configuration of the source disk.

3. Restart the cloning process

4. Set the correct drive (SSD) to boot in BIOS

To ensure the cloned SSD is bootable, use a reliable OS cloning software like Qiling Backup to clone your system. After cloning, configure your computer to boot from the SSD.

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