How To Clone GPT HDD to SSD

Amy Dennis

Jan 15, 2024 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

If you have a computer, you probably are using a solid-state drive(SSD) That is because it is the most popular storage device in computers. If you are to look at it, it has many benefits compared to the traditional hard disk drive (HDD). What benefits am I talking about?

With the SSD in your computer, there is an assurance of a faster reading and writing speed and works quieter compared to others. It has many advantages that are making people want to replace HDD with SSD. Now, if you don't have SSD on your computer yet, then you can do that by cloning HDD to SSD.

Hard drive cloning is nothing but a method where you create a 1 to 1 copy of everything, including the content of SSD or hard drive for backup reasons. It makes the whole task quite easier since you don't have to reinstall the window 7/8/10 on the SSD. However, there are crucial things you should know before you clone.

It is wise to know that your computer cannot boot from an SSD. Why is that? It is because of the style a computer uses. Some HDDs use the GPT (GUID partition table) partition style that supports the booting system with UEFI mode. That is where the problem is.

Many drives available in the market still use the MBR partition style that only supports the system using legacy BIOS mode. That means that you may be unable to clone HDD to SDD but reading here helps you in figuring out the best way to do it.

Part 1: The Concept of GPT

Do you know what the GPT partitioning style is? Before you learn how to clone the GPT drive. It is best to understand the conception of GPT. It makes it easier for you in the long run. So, what does GPT stand for?

GPT means a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) partition table. It is generally the standard layout of the partition table on a typical hard disk. Today, GPT is gradually becoming popular. It is replacing the Master Boot Record (MBR) standard. Why is that? The master boot record can only support the 2 TB size hard disk and four primary partitions, which limits the users.

The good thing about using GPT is that it does not limit you. It supports a hard drive larger than 2 TB, and Windows can only boot from GPT on a UEFI-based computer. What about primary partition? Well, you don't necessarily need to worry when you have GPR, and here is why.

With a GPT hard disk, you can create a primary partition of up to 128 because of system limitations. The good news is most current computers support GPT standard that is compatible with MBR. What is more? GPT disks only support computers with a 64bits windows system while MBR disks support both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows computer systems.

Part 2: The Concept of SSD

So, what is a Solid State Drive or SSD? It is a type of non-volatile storage media that stores persistent data on solid-state flash memory. If you have SSD, it means that it saves all your reading and writing data in a permanent state with or without power. That is because the internal SSD's connect to your computer as a hard drive using standard IDE or SATA connections.

As you notice by now, the SSD plays the same role as the hard drive of your computer. The difference comes in their internal components. One difference is hard drives have moving parts while SSD's do not have. SSD stores data in flash memory instead of magnetic platters.

SSD's are better than hard drives in many ways. One of them is the real performance. The read performance of the hard drive fails when data fragments or is split up in many locations on the disk. When it comes to an SSD, the read performance does not diminish depending on data location on the drive, which makes the fragmenting of SSD impossible.

Part 3: What Are the Reasons to Clone GPT Disk to Smaller SSD?

Why do you need to know how to clone a GPT disk to a smaller SSD? Technology is changing and advancing, and you have to change with it. Solid State Drive is becoming popular because of the benefits it adds to your computer. The advantages of read-write, speed, energy-saving, and less noise you want to replace your current HDD with SSD.

Cloning comes when you worry about losing data and OS, but you don't want the hustle of reinstalling OS and other applications one by one. So, why should you clone GPT to a smaller SSD? The following at reasons why:

• You don't have to cope with annoying moving parts. SSD uses flash memory to store data. Hence you get better performance and reliability over an HDD.
• No moving part means no noise, right?
• SSD generates less heat since it has no moving parts. That means it is durable and reliable.
• SSD is faster than a regular HDD. You get 35 to 100 microseconds, which is 100 times faster than the HDD. You get a computer that runs faster, especially when you work with programs that USA a large amount of data like OS.

Part 4: How To Quickly Clone GPT HDD to SSD for Free?

To make it easier for you, you need the aid of an efficient application. Wondershare UBackit helps you to clone GPT HDD to SSD much easier. First, you must make sure that your SSD has enough space to store all your data in your old GPT HDD. If you have limited space, you have an option f no moving OS to SSD. Wondershare UBackit helps you to clone a large HDD to a smaller SSD easily.

You don't have to worry about the cost because this GPT disk cloning software offers one-month free trial. The few steps you shall read below helps you clone a GPT system disk to a new SSD using Wondershare UBackit for free and get all the advantages that come with it. Wondershare UBackit Professional has the magic. It enables you also to clone your entire disk to SSD using "Disk Copy Wizard."

Features of Wondershare UBackit

Do you know windows 10/8/7 does not offer disk cloning software? That is why you have to switch to using third-party tools such as Wondershare UBackit. With it, you can:

• Clone only the spaces you use. It effortlessly clones disk for as long as the available SSD is large enough than the used space of the current HDD.
• You can clone with whichever device you have since it is compatible with SSDs of different brands of various interfaces.
• Work with windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 and Vista. That is why it is advisable to use Wondershare UBackit Professional to clone the hard drive to smaller SSD or larger HHD in window servers.

Here is what to should remember before Cloning

• First, have an SSD that has a smaller capacity than the space you are ready to use in the HDD. You should connect to detect it and make sure you back up any data that may be in the SSD.
• You should delete any unwanted file and application on your computer or another source H HDD to reduce copy time.
• You need to install and run Wondershare UBackit Partition Assistant Professional. There is a demo you can download for free and try.

Steps to Clone GPT HDD to SSD

Step 1 Launch And Install Wondershare UBackit

Step 2 Choose A GPT HDD to Clone

From the list of the available drives, just choose the drive to back up (like C/D/E/F) and click on the “Select” button.

Step 3 Select SSD as Clone Destination

It is advised that you choose a brand new external hard drive to store the source data and settings. Also, ensure that the storage space is big enough to load the whole disk.

Step 4 Complete the Cloning Process

After clicking on the “Clone” button, you can just sit back, and wait for a while. The application will display the progress of the GPT disk clone process on the screen.

In the end, UBackit will inform you once the Disk Clone process is completed.

Notes:

• You have no limit to using your computer when cloning is taking place. You can still clone MBR HDD to SSD, clone HDD to SSD with MBR it GPT partition style using the same above steps.
• Wondershare UBackit also has other uses. You can also back up files, partitions, and perform file migration, so it pays to have the application.

Conclusion

SSD is becoming popular because of faster writing and reading speed, quietness while working, and space. Many people at choosing to move HDD data to an SSD as it has no moving parts and requires less space to install. All you have to do here is to clone.

Cloning larger HDD to a smaller SSD requires an efficient tool. The free cloning Wondershare UBackit helps you clone your GPT HDD to SSD easily and then boot your device by changing boot mode from UEFI to legacy mode the above steps help you to move everything to your SSD quickly.