How to Perform Acronis System Clone on Windows: Full Guide

Whether you are looking to upgrade to a new drive, switch to an SSD, or prepare for hardware failure, Acronis system clone is one of the most reliable ways to move your operating system, files, and settings without reinstalling Windows from scratch. Cloning gives you an exact, bootable replica of your boot drive, saving your time and energy.

Note: For Acronis cloning OS to SSD, since there is no standalone system clone function on Acronis True Image, you may need to rely on its Clone Disk feature to copy the entire system drive for OS migration.

How to Use Acronis to Clone System Drive

Acronis cloning system disk is a straightforward process. Here's how to use Acronis to make an exact copy of your OS drive and get it booting on a new disk.

👉Preparations for Acronis bootable clone:
▶ Plug in your new drive. If it's internal, connect it via an available SATA or NVMe port. If you're using an external USB adapter, make sure it's recognized in Windows.
▶ Download and install the latest Acronis True Image version from the official website.

Step 1. Run Acronis on your computer, and select Clone Disk under the Tools tab.

Step 2. Choose between Automatic (recommended for beginners) or Manual (if you need to adjust partition sizes) for the clone mode.

Step 3. Then, select the system disk that contains your operating system as the source.

Step 4. Pick the new SSD or HDD as the destination. Note that all existing data on this drive will be erased.

Step 5. Choose a cloning method based on your cloning needs.

Step 6. Acronis will show you a summary of your selections. Review everything carefully, and click Proceed to begin the Acronis OS clone process. If prompted to reboot, click Reboot to continue the cloning process.

Step 7. Once the clone is finished, shut down your computer. Remove the old drive and replace it with the newly cloned one, ensuring it's connected to the same port as the original. It should boot into Windows exactly as before, with all your apps, settings, and files intact.

Troubleshoot: Acronis Clone Not Booting

Some users report that they meet Acronis clone failed. And sometimes, even after a successful Acronis system clone, the clone SSD/HDD won't boot. If your system enters BIOS or has boot errors, try these troubleshooting fixes:

• Check boot order in BIOS: Enter BIOS and ensure the cloned drive is set as the primary boot device.
• Re-clone with manual partition adjustment: In some cases, Automatic cloning might not replicate the system partition structure correctly. Re-run the clone using the Manual mode and ensure system partitions like EFI or System Reserved are correctly marked.
• Use Windows recovery media: Boot from a Windows installation USB and select Startup Repair to fix bootloader issues automatically.

Bonus: More Flexible Way for Windows System Clone

For Acronis True Image migrating OS to SSD or HDD, you need to clone the entire system drive. If you look forward to migrating only the OS and ensuring its bootability, you can try the Acronis alternative cloning tool - AOMEI Cloner.

Except for Disk Clone for cloning a whole disk, this specialized cloning software also offers System Clone to copy only Windows OS and Partition Clone for copying specific partitions. Also, it comes with other cloning features like:

Here is how to only clone Windows system to new SSD using AOMEI Cloner:

Step 1. Run the AOMEI Cloner software on your computer. From the main menu, choose Clone > System Clone.

Step 2. This software will automatically select the necessary system-related partitions. Select your new drive as the destination.

Step 3. If cloning to an SSD, enable the SSD Alignment checkbox for better performance. And click on Start Clone to begin an OS clone.

FAQs about Acronis System Clone

#1. What is the Difference between System Clone and Disk Clone?

When it comes to cloning, there are typically 2 different types - system clone and disk clone. They're often confused, but they serve different purposes.

• System clone: This involves copying only the partitions and data required to boot and run Windows (usually the system and boot partitions). It’s leaner, faster, and focused purely on OS migration.
• Disk clone: This refers to copying the entire drive, including all partitions, personal files, programs, and unallocated space. It’s a bit-for-bit replica of the entire drive, better suited when you're replacing the entire drive, with all content the same.

#2. What is the difference between Acronis backup and clone?

The Acronis clone creates a direct, bootable copy of your drive. It’s ideal for hardware upgrades or OS migration. An Acronis backup, in contrast, stores your data in a compressed archive file, which can be restored later.

#3. How long does Acronis take to clone a drive?

It depends on your system and drive size, the speed of the source and target drives, and the overall performance of the computer. But most clones vary from a few minutes to a few hours.

#4. Can I clone my hard drive including the operating system?

Yes. With the Clone Disk feature on Acronis and Disk Clone on AOMEI Cloner, you could both perform a full disk clone, and the system is immediately bootable on the new drive, assuming hardware compatibility and correct configuration.

Summary

On this page, we have introduced how to use Acronis for system clone. Also, AOMEI Cloner, a more straightforward, easier-to-use, and professional cloning software, is offered for you to migrate only Windows operating system or entire hard drive per your need.