How to Clone Dynamic Disk in Windows

Amy Dennis

Oct 16, 2020 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

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Cloning or backing up the data to other devices or on the same storage media in different partitions is done to secure the data. The same goes for the case when dealing with the dynamic disk. The task of clone dynamic disk to save the data against any data loss consequence. As the number of volumes increases in the magnetic drive, the risk of volume or partition corruption or crash increases. If the task is to protect data, the only way out is to clone a dynamic disk. This article is all about the importance of cloning the dynamic drive.

As mentioned above, creating backups or making clones of the entire disk is done to secure the data against potential dangers. So is the case that is under discussion in this article i.e., clone dynamic drive. Before heading towards the cloning of the dynamic disk, let's get some deeper insights regarding the characteristics and functionality of dynamic disk.

Dynamic disk is the kind of hard drive in which you can create countless volumes. All the created volume can then be used for storing massive data sets. Five different types of volumes can be created i.e., simple volume, mirrored volume, striped volume, spanned volume, and RAID-5 volume. Each volume enhances the performance of your hard drive i.e., dynamic disk. The disk uses a database system to track all the information stored on different volumes on the same disk or different magnetic disks in the same device. This database location can be determined from the partition style. In the case of MBR, it is located in the last 1 MG of the disk, whereas, for GPT, it is present in 1 MG of reversed partition.

With this complex data storing systems, it is quite challenging to clone dynamic disk. One cannot perform this task via the device disk management tool. This article explains all about the reasons why you need to clone the dynamic drive. It also gives the method to do so. A third party software is recommended as a solution. Here are the topics that would be discussed in detail.

Part 1: Why Clone Dynamic Disk?

As mentioned above, due to the complex system of data storage in a dynamic disk, creating clones to protect data is necessary. Any damage i.e., system crash, drive corruption, virus, or malware attacks, can cause dynamic disk corruption, on the whole, hence leading to data loss. There are other reasons which demand the clone dynamic disk. Some of them are as follows:

1. Your dynamic drive is out of space. Space issues are the foremost of causes that would demand creating a clone of a dynamic disk. Creating a clone will preserve all the data, and it would be saved on other devices. Once the data is secured, the clone would consume less space if kept on the same storage media as compared to aggregate data. In case, if the clone is saved on another device, you can quickly delete the data from dynamic disk and create the space for new data.
2. Your dynamic disk does not perform well. In this context, replacing the magnetic disk with a new one is your option. Creating a clone dynamic disk would help you to keep all the data on the hard drive. If the magnetic disk does not perform well, it can also cause the device to run slow.
3. You want to add an extra layer of data and system security. In case you want to protect your dynamic drive against any data loss consequences, a simple way is to make a clone of the disk. It will protect the data against any mechanical or physical damage to a dynamic drive.

Part 2: How to Clone Dynamic Disk to SSD With AOMEI Backupper?

Apart from the built-in utilities or tools like the disk management tool, third-party application software is always on the go for helping out in tasks to create clone dynamic disk. For creating a clone for a magnetic disk, one can use AOMEI backupper. It is a powerful backup software that can help generate system images/disk images and saves them on external drives or network locations. It is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista, and XP. Using this software, one can clone the dynamic disk and save it to SSD. How? Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Before any action, make sure the targeted SSD should be in sound connection with your device.

Step 2: Download and then install AOMEI backupper on your device. Once the software is installed, launch it on your device.

Step 3: In the main menu of software, select the option of system clone.

Step 4: In the window of the system clone, select the destination drive, where you want to save the newly created clone for the dynamic disk.

Step 5: Check the box of SSD alignment to enhance the read/write performance of the SSD. Click the option of start clone.

Step 6: Once you save the clone on SSD, now boot the device from the clone. Shutdown the computer and exchange the hard drive with SSD containing a clone. Reset the BIOS via F2 or ESC keys in the boot screen. Now set the boot priority list to carry out the standard boot mechanism. Click exit to continue.

Step 7: Now, set the partition clone and select the data partition and follow the instruction wizard accordingly.

As soon as the process completes, the new cloned dynamic disk would work typically, and your data is saved on the drive.

Hence, as the other external or internal storage media demands to create successful backups and clones to protect data against data loss, the same goes for the dynamic disk. The clone for the dynamic disk is required when the device is running slow, the disc is out of space, when the drive is not performing well or if you want to add an extra layer of security to data. This article is all about creating the clone of a dynamic disk. In this regard, a third party application software is recommended. AOMEI backupper is the cloning software that can be used to perform the task.