How to Clone Windows 8

How to Clone Windows 8

When it comes to cloning Windows 8 or 8.1 you need to use the right software for the job, whats even better you don't have to pay. Here is a free option that lets you clone Windows 8 or 8.1 with ease. The program is called Macruim Reflect, it supports the new GPT and UEFI BIOS that all windows 8 machines come with now days.

So in this video I will show you how to clone a laptop hard drives with windows 8.1 OEM, So if you looking to upgrade your hard disk or replace it with a new one or just clone from 2.5" to 3.5 inch drive. I will be using a hard drive docking station.

[silverearth]

I performed the copy using a Lenovo with standard Seagate 500gig hdd across to a Samsung 256 gig SDD and it worked like a charm. I used my existing external drive bay to connect the SDD via USB to the laptop. Worked perfect.

[Sharndowg]

thanks a bunch for the upload. Worked a charm. believe it or not my local pc shop said this wasn't possible with a usb to sata cable. They said they'll clone it for £50 so i decided to give it a bash on my own. A £6 cable from amazon later and it is complete. Don't think it would of done it without your upload. You Da Man!

[jakeheinrich]

Outstanding! A great video on how to deal with Windows 8.x drive cloning. Macrium Reflect 6 is out now (slightly streamlined and the video is still relevant). It's a quick download, setup and no reboot required. I had an older piece of cloning software that was not GPT capable. Looking forward to seeing more from Britec!

[paulmeredith_]

This has just saved me a lot of time and swearing not having to reinstall everything on a new SSD. Thanks Brian!

[jamescook]

Perfect and simple. Nice to have a native English person explaining how to do this!

[michaelbruce]

Very many thanks for a very useful tip. I have just used 'Macrium Reflect' to make a clone copy of my Windows 8.1 system. It has worked perfectly and the cloned disk works in place of the original with no fuss.

[ardwych]

CONGRATULATIONS!, Brian, for excising the repetitive moments and the long events. Take a gold star! Very few awarded here..
Theoretically, immediately after the cloning process, you'll have two identical disk drives - including 'unique' low-level disk identifiers.
Could you comment on how a system handles two identical twins, if even for only a short time?
The job depended heavily on the disk dock. You didn't show or say much about that - is it an eSATA device? USB 2? USB 3? Something else special?

[detmer]

Macrium Reflect free is the best, I used Norton Ghost and Acronis true image in the past but nothing beats Macrium Reflect IMO.

I'm using Macrium Reflect free for all my PC's and notebooks. I backup my SSD's running the OS almost weekly, so if something screws up I'm back in 8 minutes.

[jasoncatlyn]

Thanks for the video. I was trying to do the same for my Dell Laptop/ windows 8, but watching this video I realize I was not using the correct software. Thanks again!

[eternalgamers]

Thanks this worked perfectly migrating my windows 10from a 250gb hdd to my 1TB HDD

[GaryRockliff]

Another great vid Brian. Yes updated software, good advice. I also recommend cloning only good drives sector-by-sector. Thanks again mate. Have you been enjoying the cricket, sorry about the ODI aussie, aussie, aussie ooh, ooh, ooh. lol.

[Nascarfan]

Thank you so much i have been banging my head trying to get a bootable drive this software and your tutorial did it.

[eltoncds]

This video is GREAT.. no other words to show my into the point. Nice work

[catmuf]

Does it works for Windows 7 for cloning?

[chengduFTW]

i have a 500GB and only used 47GB, recently i bought a 240GB SSD and it says insufficient space. Which partitions are not important so i can uncheck them?

[markuslaszlo]

Great video Brian as always.I have a question for you, could the Clonezilla do the same thing?

[macheterosforvr]

I've tried to bring back several windows vista and 7 images and none of them worked. Can I boot an image, and with the original windows system being plugged on the same drive?

[roryoneill]

I cloned one a 500gb drive to a terabyte drive. But I am left with 500 GBs of unallocated space. How can I get this back. ( I tried to extend the drive but it said it would change it to I dynamic disc and I don't know what that means )

[photojourney]

Brit I followed the video exactly. I have win 8.1 pro and the hard drive I am using to clone to is from the same machine but larger. when I put the new hard drive in it says loading windows and then goes to a black screen with just the mouse showing and stays that way. what Happened?

[BagelCollector]

Quick questions
1) Will the original hard disc still have a functional copy of Windows 8?
2) Can I opt-out of cloning the drivers? (I'm pretty sure my new computer won't play nice if there's already a bunch of incompatible drivers swimming around the boot drive)
3) If I'm cloning to a smaller drive, I'm guessing I'm gonna have to make a custom partition to accommodate the smaller size?