Clonezilla is a free, open-source hard drive cloning and imaging application. The software is one of the few free cloning software tools that work on drives with bad sectors. This application allows the system admins to carry on bare backup and entire system deployment. It supports the simultaneous cloning of 40+ systems. Features: Multicast.
The reason one would like to have carryout cloning a drive changes with the situation. However, there are a few instances that are common among all and asks for cloning to ensure that the data remains safe. The following are the scenarios under which one likes to perform the USB drive, SSD or disk cloning:
1. Cloning drive helps in upgrading the hard disk from an old and small volume to a new version with higher capacity without the need to re-install all the programs and applications
2. The disk clone process helps in the migration of data from the hard drive to SSD with ease
3. Cloning also helps in recovery of data when there is damage to the current hard disk
4. The requirement of transferring the operating system files
5. Cloning disk is essential for professionals and home users who store necessary data
Part 1.Best Software to Clone Disk
Even though there are many programs available to clone a hard disk, iBeesoft DBackup is the best free cloning software. The reason is that it offers extensive options with a user-friendly interface. It helps in maximizing the protection of the data and the entire operating system with ease. It is fast, convenient to use, and enables a user to do everything that they expect from backup and clone software.
Cloning Software Reviews
What Makes the Software the Best?
Your Reliable & Free Disk Cloning Software
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- Gives customization options to the clone and backup modes – full image, incremental, or differential. You can easily set schedules to hard drive cloning free.
- Creates a standalone backup file to clone HDD to SSD, USB drive or a bigger size hard disk.
- It can also create an image to file, drive or OS backup in Windows 10/8/7/XP.
Step-by-Step Guide to Clone Disk in Windows 10/8/7/XP
The free cloning software is aimed at users who like to perform data backup that includes partition, drive, or operating system backup. It helps in creating protection to the data and clones a system HDD, external storage devices, flashcards, and many more. Download and install the disk clone tool that is available from the official website of iBeesoft.
Step 1: A user can establish a connection between the computer and an external storage unit if he/she prefers to store the cloning file externally. If not, they can skip the step and proceed to step 2.
Step 2: Clicking the icon on the desktop launches the best free cloning software. The primary window displays several options it provides, and users must click the 'Drive Backup' option. The window will show the partitions of the selected drive.
Step 3: Before the free hdd cloning software performs a backup of the selected hard disk or a partition of the hard drive, the user must mention the storage location, backup name, and choose whether to opt for 'Automatic Backup' feature. The sector-by-sector feature is also available, which consumes time but clones every file, including any hidden or lost data. After completing the setup requirement, press the 'Start' button to begin cloning. The time consumed for the process varies from one drive to another and depends on the total size.
Part 2. Other Free Disk Cloning Software
As disk cloning is important, the following list will be helpful for those who are seeking out the best free drive cloning software to complete the job with ease.
#1. Paragon Drive Copy
As a disk duplicator, Paragon Drive Copy comes handy for all those who are seeking a free disk cloning software to clone their hard drive in simple steps. Likewise, it also helps in storing data, migrating data, managing partition, and creating a backup of data. Important features include:
a. It clones and migrates data regardless of environment and location
b. Helps in creating virtual clones of an entire PC
c. Helps in creating a copy and restoring the same on a new HDD with a different sector size
d. Assists in migrating Windows OS to new devices and organizes data
Pros:
- Full back up of computer
- Supports all file systems
- Migration of OS from HDD to SSD
Cons:
- Misses advanced features
- One-person use
#2. Acronis True Image
Acronis True Image is one of the leading programs in cloning hard drives. The free disk cloning software is simple to use and comes with plenty of options. The following are the crucial features:
a. Helps in creating a mirror or full image of the system
b. Promotes in cloning OS, files, and other settings to a new disk
c. Assists in conversion of full image backup to a virtual disk format so that users can test the same under different settings
d. Uses artificial intelligence, ransomware protection, and machine learning technology
Pros:
- Super-easy user interface
- Fast upload speeds during testing
- Local and cloud backup features
Cons:
- Expensive
- Slow web interface
#3. Macrium Reflect
Macrium Reflect is another free hard drive cloning software. The clone disk free software is beneficial for those who are seeking a fast and dependable tool. The primary features of the software include:
a. Creates an accurate image file of HDD and partitions
b. Helps in creating whole partitions in a single compressed archive file that is mountable
c. Supports both GPT and MBR
d. Possible to recover partitions in a few clicks
e.Rapid Delta Cloning helps in cloning a disk at a faster rate
Pros:
- High speed of cloning
- Useful functions
- Different versions available
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Difficult for beginners
#4. Nova Backup PC
Nova Backup PC is simple and offers the ability to create an exact clone of a hard drive. The important features are:
a. Comes with various backup options
b. File-level or image-level backup
c. Protects the data through 256-AES encryption
d. Schedule backups in bit-level or incremental level
e. Cloud and local backup management
Pros:
- High security
- Highly customizable
- Fast backups
Cons:
- Cluttered interface
- Lacks file explorer integration
#5. EaseUS ToDo Backup Home
EaseUS ToDo Backup Home version is a free cloning software that helps in keeping the system protected by creating backups in a few simple steps. The essential features of the software are:
a. It allows storing backups in external devices, including cloud, FTP servers, and NAS
b. It is possible to browse the backup file using Windows Explorer
c. The free cloning software is compatible with GPT and UEFI
d. It helps in the recovery of OS from the boot menu in case of OS failure
e. Possible to perform scheduling of backup
f. Flexible backup management
Pros:
- Friendly interface
- Easy data recovery feature
- Secured and encrypted data transfer
Cons:
- Disk partition knowledge missing
- Requires multiple accounts to access different devices
#6. Hard Disk Manager 16
Hard Disk Manager 16 is a professional-grade free HDD cloning software. It helps both a novice and a professional to use it to create perfect backups of their hard disk. The essential features include:
a. Helps in transferring system files in a few seconds and uses physical and virtual devices as per availability
b. Cloning functioning operated in protected mode
c. Has basic partitioning features to keep the system organized
d. Possesses the recover option to restore a system to the previous version
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Supports partition edits
- Undo and redo changes
Cons:
- Free edition sees several features disabled
- Large setup file
Best Cloning Software For Ssd
#7. Clonezilla
One can clone disk free with the use of Clonezilla. As the name suggests, it clones a hard drive and the entire contents with ease. The important features of the program are:
a. Possible to get image file on local disk, samba server, FTP server, and others
b. Supports both MBR and GPT partition formats
c. Supports Unattended mode
d. Helps in restoring one image file to more than one local location
Pros:
- Open-source
- Supports various file systems
- Offers LVM2 support
Cons:
- The user interface is a big let down
- Absence of differential and incremental backup
#8. Drive Image XML
Drive Image XML is another cloning software available in the market. It helps in creating an image file of a computer’s hard disk and partitions. Essential features include:
a. Creates a backup and restores the same
b. Schedule a backup
c. It uses Microsoft’s Volume Shadow Services during cloning
Pros:
- Restore individual files from images
- Ability to restore images to different drives
- Drive-to-drive image copy
Cons:
- No differential or incremental backup
- The backup process is slow
#9. MiniTool Partition Wizard
MiniTool Partition Wizard is another free drive cloning software to clone a hard disk with ease. It safeguards the data and optimizes disk space. The primary features include:
a. Resizes partition
b. Copy a disk partition
c. Use the tool to merge partitions
d. Migrate OS to new HDD or SSD
Pros:
- Several useful feature
- Helpful support
Cons:
- Requires time to learn the options
#10. Daemon Tools Pro 8
The software is robust and helps in cloning the hard disk with ease. The essential features of the free hdd cloning software are:
a. TrueCrypt container to store confidential data
b. Emulates 32 HD, DT, and SCSI drivers at a time with 4 IDE drivers
c. It converts, compresses, and protects image files
Pros:
- Virtual disc burning process
- Good choices for imaging tools
Cons:
- The annual subscription is expensive
What's the best free cloning software for Windows?
If your current hard drive has run out of disk space, exposed to disk write/read failures, or become too slow to boot Windows, you will request a hard drive replacement. But sometimes, you don't swap out an entire hard drive. Likewise, you want to make a copy of a single partition or a few, to keep an identical backup copy for forensic purposes.
So, when and why do you need to clone/copy a hard drive to another? These are four typical scenarios.
- Upgrade a hard drive: from a small one to a big one, or from an old one to a new one.
- Change HDD to SSD: to keep consistent with the new IT era of installing light and fast SSD on a desktop or laptop.
- Create a backup: to maintain a full and exact copy of a hard drive or a partition for future use, for example, unexpected disaster recovery.
- Recover data from a damaged hard drive: to gain a way of retrieving data from a corrupted hard drive that becomes inaccessible, or not readable.
To clone a hard drive means to make a 1-to-1 copy of the original drive. It's the quickest and easiest approach to replace a hard drive along with its data. By cloning a disk to a new one, you can escape from the tedious work of transferring data and programs on the new drive. Since disk cloning has so many benefits, what's the most popular and convenient cloning software for Windows users? EaseUS Todo Backup has its competitiveness.
EaseUS free hard drive cloning software is with a slick interface, plus a range of cloning options. Though it's free, you can find an array of functionalities available for time-unlimited use, which you can only see in the commercial versions of its top 3 rivals.
Download free cloning software to clone a hard disk
The cloning process is simple to follow, and you can learn it in a few seconds. However, you still need to take a close look at the several underlying points so that you can make full use of it without difficulty.
1. It's possible to clone a larger hard drive to a smaller one, for example, 512GB to 256GB, but the used space of the 512GB hard drive should be under 256GB. The rule applies to a drive partition as well.
2. As soon as you launch EaseUS Todo Backup on your computer after installation, the software will prompt you a message asking you to create an emergency disk. This is a very helpful feature in case your computer crashed and won't boot someday. You can try to boot the machine from the EaseUS Todo Backup bootable disk to perform a recovery.
3. What if you're planning OS migration from HDD to SSD? You can also ask EaseUS Todo Backup for help but have this prior notice in your mind: [1] to ensure an absolutely free entrance to the System Clone feature, you need to download thehome versionby visiting the product page. [2] It's a 30-day free trial, which is enough for you to finish the task of migrating the system C drive as well as the boot partition from one drive to the other.
Step 1. Launch EaseUS Todo Backup and select the 'Clone' feature from the list on the left.
Step 2. Choose the original disk as the source disk and click 'Next'.
Step 3. Choose a destination disk, which can be another HDD/SSD or an external USB hard disk. Just be sure that the destination disk is larger than the source disk. Tick the option 'Optimize for SSD' under 'Advanced options' when the destination disk is an SSD for improved results. Click 'Next'.
Step 4. Preview the disk layout and click 'Proceed'.
The final word
When it comes to the suggestion of the best cloning software for Windows, we put EaseUS Todo Backup on the top list, by viewing the aspects of its ease of use, capability, smooth cloning experience and a free trial of the system clone feature, which you can never enjoy in other third-party utilities.
Download EaseUS disk clone freeware now and spend the least effort to copy and clone a hard drive. EaseUS hard drive cloning software is just what you need to copy the exact data content of one hard drive to another, file-by-file and sector-by-sector. No data loss or system boot errors will ever happen.
Furthermore, it's a versatile data backup and recovery program for Windows computers, Windows-compatible storage devices (external hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, etc.), and network drives. One page is far from enough to introduce a comprehensive program, so let this video introduction give you a quick glimpse at what EaseUS Todo Backup is meant to help you with the daily computer safety and facility.