Cloning entire PC

Discussion in 'Software' started by outsider, Nov 9, 2022.

  1. outsider

    outsider Newbie

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    Is there a way, or has anybody succesfully copied their whole computer onto a new one? What program did you use?

    I'm talking about a perfect or as close to perfect clone of a system.The SSD, the registry etc. I'm trying to keep my cracks, I have a lot and I'm trying to future proof my work by cloning everything to another computer. There's some things I don't have the installer for anymore, etc.
     
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  3. AudioTee

    AudioTee Kapellmeister

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    You're really talking about cloning an entire system drive. I think there are many apps out there to accomplish this. I did it once recently using DiskGenius, but there may be more user friendly apps out there. There may be options available in each app. Select the one that offers the most accuracy even though it will take longer. DiskGenius took almost 8 hours to finish the job. I ran into a few issues and eventually worked them out. You can do it but there are likely others here with more experience than I in this department to guide you.
     
  4. BlackHaze1986

    BlackHaze1986 Rock Star

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    Easiest way would be AOMEI OneKey Recovery Pro in my Opinion.

     
  5. secretworld

    secretworld Producer

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    wintohd pro if you search you can find a cracked portable version
     
  6. monost

    monost Member

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    Hi i cloning my entire HD to a SSD with windows programs etc all ok, but from one PC CPU to another no.Only Mac from one to another by USB-c to USB-c with migrant assistant, all ok only some activations failed.
     
  7. Anubhav Ukil

    Anubhav Ukil Producer

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    I used Asus Clone Drive
     
  8. orbitbooster

    orbitbooster Audiosexual

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    Yes, there are many sw doing that, like Aomei, Acronis, Paragon, Reflect and so on.

    PROBLEM is, cloning to a new hardware does not assure that you won't need to provide new drivers,
    PLUS it's not sure that all programs you have will work, especially if they're activated on the old system.
     
  9. loveriuz

    loveriuz Producer

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    search for "EaseUS Todo Backup Home 2022 Build 20220916 Multilingual" on the interwebs. Very easy and fast
     
  10. BlackHaze1986

    BlackHaze1986 Rock Star

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    For Windows you should use sysprep when creating a backup which will be used on other systems. (Sysprep removes Drivers and Hardware ID this is the way IT service guys build their own Windows Version with programms and so on to roll out one ISO to thousand PC's in a company for example)
     
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  11. trz303

    trz303 Producer

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    Acronis True Image, very good for 1:1 harddrive cloning.

    BUT :

    System drive cloning is a VERY bad idea if you want to move system drive to a new hardware.

    Too much problems with Windows registry, drivers, hardware specific configuration etc...
    Also programs have to be reinstalled to avoid compatibility issues.

    Cloning is perfect for data drive, but I would recommend complete re-install for system drive and program files.

    BTW I use Acronis for system drive too in case of system drive crash, but I would only use the mirror on the exact same PC, to replace crashed system drive.
     
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  12. BEAT16

    BEAT16 Audiosexual

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    Hi @outsider, you should burn the most important data to a DVD etc or upload to Google Drive or Mega. There is always something that can go wrong Ransomware encryption or Trojan infestation or the power fails also hardware defects occur.

    If you buy an SSD from Samsung, you get the corresponding clone program for free, it is then to download beforehand. With Crucial you get the AcronisTrueImageMicron. From which company do you want to clone? I have already cloned a few times the entire hard drive C:/ and it always works. You always get nervous - hopefully everything works out.

    P.S: You should pack your folder with the cracks with a packprogram like WinRAR or 7-Zip before. You should also avoid long filenames. Best pack everything, this saves harddisk space and there are no errors when copying.
     
  13. BEAT16

    BEAT16 Audiosexual

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    Hi @trz303, this is total nonsense what you are talking about, there are no problems at all when cloning the hard drive 1 to 1.
    The cloning itself does not take place while Windows is running.
    Before Windows starts up, the program clones the entire hard disk 1 to 1. It is virtually only zeros and ones.
    Please do not confuse the questioner here.
     
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  14. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    You misunderstood his answer.
    He is saying that cloning a system drive, to use it, as it is, in another computer will give problems.
    Which I true. As he says, when you will run this system from the "old" computer in the " new" one there will be a mess of drivers and compatibility.
    Unless both computers are exactly the same.
     
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  15. BEAT16

    BEAT16 Audiosexual

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    The term cloning refers to software for cloning.
    I'm assuming that no one is stupid enough to copy their hard drive without using cloning software.
     
  16. Hennessey

    Hennessey Platinum Record

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    Well this guy OP asked a very clear question and you have give him no good advice.
    System cloning (WITH ALL SOFTWARE IN IT) is for same PC with same hardware etc. But for migration to a new PC it is a very bad idea like @trz303 have said!
     
  17. acatnamedharmony

    acatnamedharmony Ultrasonic

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    Super useful info here, thanks for sharing! Anyone know if something like Acronis or Easeus is able to do this.
     
  18. BEAT16

    BEAT16 Audiosexual

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    I have written everything here:
     
  19. AudioTee

    AudioTee Kapellmeister

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    @outsider
    I did not fully grasp your question. I cloned my old slow HDD to a new SDD on the same PC. I don't know about cloning to a new PC, however some here believe it will be problematic.
     
  20. MozartEstLa

    MozartEstLa Platinum Record

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    Macrium Reflect 8 (free, aka "Not for commercial use"), I'm very enjoyed about it!
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2022
  21. trz303

    trz303 Producer

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    Dont forget that a lot of licences generated with keygens are based on hardware ID.

    Cloning system drive with apps for a new PC will for sure disable a lot of generated licences.

    For system drive with many programs installed it's safer to re-install everything from scratch, really.
    It takes times, for sure, but at least your system is cleaner.

    Acronis True Image has an option to clone a drive for another different hardware, but after a few tries and fails I had to reinstall everything from scratch because
    my system was missing a few stuff and programs were not running the normal way.

    That's only my .02 cent advice, do what you want.
     
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