Cloning hard drive while Windows is running, also known as "hot cloning" or "live cloning", allows you to clone a disk without shut down or reboot your computer. This page will show you how to clone a hard drive while Windows running with professional cloning software AOMEI Cloner.
I just got a new NVMe SSD, and I want to clone my current SATA SSD, which has Windows installed, to it. Is it possible to clone the SSD while running Windows from it? Do I need to boot a different drive to clone it? I am also very interested in whether I can run a game or something while cloning a disk.
Yes, you absolutely can clone a hard drive while Windows is running or use your PC while cloning a hard drive. This process, often referred to as "live cloning" or "hot cloning," allows users to duplicate the entire contents of a disk, including the operating system, applications, files, settings, and boot records, without shutting down or rebooting the PC.
Correspondingly, there is a cold cloning that requires you to turn off the device before cloning the disk and enter Windows PE mode or boot the CD during the cloning process. Cloning a hard drive while the system is in use is particularly useful for users who cannot afford downtime. Whether you're backing up your entire system or upgrading to a larger SSD, this method ensures that your work isn't interrupted.
So, after you know the affirmative answer to the question - Can you clone an HDD while it is running, you may wonder what the best live cloning software is to clone your drive while Windows is running. One of the most reliable and reputable tools is AOMEI Cloner, which lets you perform a clone without interrupting your workload.
With a user-friendly interface, this AOMEI Cloner software offers Disk Clone, System Clone, and Partition Clone. You can use it to clone your boot drive, migrate only Windows OS, or copy a specific partition to another drive, without interrupting your work or restarting your PC. Also, it comes with other advanced features:
The following is a step-by-step guide on cloning a disk while running Windows using AOMEI Cloner.
Step 1. Install the AOMEI Cloner on your computer, then open it, and click Clone to select Disk Clone.
Step 2. Choose your current system drive that contains the running Windows (usually labeled Disk 0) as Source Disk.
Step 3. Then, select the new HDD or SSD where you want to clone the data as the Target Disk.
Step 4. Check SSD Alignment if the target is an SSD to improve read/write performance. If needed, you can also tick Sector-By-Sector Clone for a full copy, including unused space.
Step 5. Click Start Clone. The AOMEI Cloner software will begin cloning your drive while Windows is running in the background. And you can also run other programs without interruption.
Cloning your hard drive while Windows is running is incredibly convenient, but sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. One of the most common post-cloning issues users face is this: the cloned drive won't boot. This can be frustrating, especially after a seemingly successful clone. Here are some of the most commonly used solutions to get your system up and running again.
#1. Can I clone my hard drive including the operating system?
Yes! Using tools like AOMEI Cloner, you can clone hard drive while Windows is running, including the OS, programs, user settings, and hidden boot sectors. This creates a fully bootable clone of your current system.
#2. How long does it take to clone a 1TB hard drive?
It depends on several factors, including drive speed, interface type (SATA vs NVMe), cloning mode (intelligent vs sector-by-sector), and the actual data size. On average, it may take about 30-60 minutes with the Intelligent Clone method.
#3. Why is it taking so long to clone my hard drive?
Several factors could be slowing down the cloning process, like
Now you know how to clone hard drive while Windows is running with the best hot clone software, AOMEI Cloner. Also, it is equipped with a Bootable Media Creation function, which allows you to create a bootable USB or CD/DVD, so that you can clone hard drive from WinPE when your Windows fails to load.