Clone Linux HDD to SSD Without Re-installing | Reliable Methods 2021
Is There A Reliable Way to Clone Linux HDD to SSD?
Now there are millions of users who still use Linux OS or dual system. However, compared with Windows users, applications for Linux are de-facto much less. For example, when a Linux user wants to clone Linux HDD to SSD, it's hard to find the compatible or exclusive Linux disk cloning software.
You may ask how do I clone Linux drive to SSD? For saving your precious time, we will let you know two reliable ways - Qiling Disk Copy and dd Command.
| Comparison | Qiling Disk Copy | dd Command |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable users | Average and Professional | Professional |
| Cloning success rate | 100% | Not Sure (Improper use will erase data on the disk.) |
| Free or Paid | Paid | Free |
In most times, experienced Linux users will suggest you clone Linux HDD to SSD or clone Linux hard drive to a smaller/larger Solid State Drive by using 'dd' command. But for average users like us, can you understand what each command is for?
Though not Linux-based, Qiling Disk Copy is Linux hard drive supported, and it can easily replace the dd command with an automatic way to clone Linux hard drive. It's easy, fast, and straightforward in transferring one hard drive content to the other, like several clicks.
Method 1 for Linux Clone Hard Drive to SSD - Qiling Disk Copy
Qiling Disk Copy is a prominent disk cloning utility based on Windows operating system, and it fully supports HDD to SSD cloning so you can achieve the purposes in the following.
- Easily copy operating from HDD to SSD without reinstalling.
- Upgrade a Linux hard drive to a bigger one or from an old to a new one.
- Replace a failing hard drive with a new functional one.
- Thanks to the sector-by-sector function, you can copy the entire HDD to SSD to keep the two drives identical in use.
Undoubtedly, Qiling Disk Copy should rank on the top choice if you're looking for a Linux HDD to SSD cloning method. On this page, you will learn the detailed guide to clone HDD to SSD, copy all the Linux installation to the new SSD step by step.
How to Clone HDD to SSD for Linux with Qiling Disk Copy
The Linux clone hard drive to SSD takes no more than four procedures:
#1. The source hard drive cleanup (optional)
#2. Connect the source hard drive and target SSD in desktop or laptop
#3. Initialize SSD (optional)
#4. Start Linux hard drive cloning with Qiling Disk Copy
The hard drive cleanup is necessary to reduce the disk space consumption on the new SSD because after cloning your SSD will surely keep identical with the old hard drive. By removing junk files and useless large files beforehand, you can keep the cloned drive clean. Next, you should use the proper connection way to connect both of your drives to a Windows computer. The desktop computer allows you to connect two hard drives by installing in the tower case or through a SATA-to-USB cable, while the laptop will only let you use the cable or external hard drive enclosure for connection. By the way, if your SSD is newly bought and not initialized at the moment, before heading to the disk cloning process, try to initialize the SSD so that your computer can recognize it with no problem.
At last, let's begin to do Linux clone hard drive to SSD:
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1. Take out the hard drive from your Linux computer and connect it to the other Windows computer where Qiling Disk Copy is installed, as well as the target SSD.
Step 2. Choose "Disk/Partition clone" in the tool page to start.
Step 3. Select the source Linux hard drive that you want to copy or clone. Here, at the bottom-left corner, you must tick the box in front of Sector by sector clone, which lets you clone the Linux EXT hard drive to SSD in Windows with the same disk layout. Click Next to continue.
Step 4. Select the destination SSD where you want to clone/copy the old disk and click Next to continue.
Note: The destination disk should be at least the same big or even larger than the source disk if you want to copy or clone the source hard disk.
Step 5: Check and edit the disk layout.
If your destination disk is an SSD drive, do remember to tick "Optimize for SSD" option if the target is SSD.
Step 6: Click "Proceed" to start the hard drive cloning process.
A warning message tells you that the data on the destination disk will be overwritten. Click "OK" to continue if you do not have important data on the destination disk.
Read also:
Method 2 For Linux Clone Hard Drive to SSD - Using dd Command
What's 'dd' command in Linux? In simple words, 'dd' is a command-line utility for Unix and Unix-like operating systems whose primary purpose is to convert and copy files. On Unix, device drivers for hardware (such as hard disk drives) and special device files (such as /dev/zero and /dev/random) appear in the file system just like normal files. As long as you grasp each essential dd command concept and have a clear mind for the whole process, you can spend twenty steps more or less with Linux OS and programs migration from one drive to the other.
Steps to clone a Linux hard drive:
# init 0
ok boot
# dd if=/dev/rdsk/c0t0d0s2 of=/dev/rdsk/c0t2d0s2 bs=128k
# fsck /dev/rdsk/c0t2d0s2
# mount /dev/dsk/c0t2d0s2 /mnt
# cd /mnt/etc
# vi vfstab
(Modify entries for the new disk)
# cd /
# umount /mnt
# init 0
# boot disk2 -s
# sys-unconfig
# boot disk2
Clone HDD to SSD Linux? Here it is!
In this article, we have listed two solutions for you to do Linux clone hard drive. The second method about the dd command is a little bit complex but works. If you are a computer beginner, we think the disk cloning software is better for easy steps and an intuitive interface.
Related Articles
- How to Move Windows Boot Partition to A New Drive
- HDD RAW Copy Tool: Upgrade Disk, Copy Disk, Recover Disk
- Best Bad Sector Repair Solutions to Check and Remove Bad Sectors on Hard Disk
- [Tried and True] Ignore Bad Sectors During Copying
- Clone hard drive with easy and simple steps - Qiling Disk Copy