IDrive Disk Clone: How to Use it & Best Disk Cloning Alternative

What is Disk Clone in IDrive?

Disk Clone in IDrive refers to the process of creating an exact copy of your entire hard drive, including the operating system and applications, as an image file, to another location. It allows you to restore the operating system backup image file and boot system from the second drive when needed.

Unlike standard file backups that copy individual folders, IDrive Disk Clone replicates the entire structure and data content of the original drive, as it runs sector-level backups. It aims to help you in simply upgrading to new disk or migrating to a new PC.

How to Use IDrive Disk Clone: Step-by-Step

How to use IDrive for disk image backup with its Disk Clone feature? Here's a simple guide:

Step 1. Download and install the IDrive desktop application on your computer, and then log in.

Step 2. Plug in the new hard drive where you want to save the cloned data. Click on the Clone/Computer Backup button in the lower left corner, and select Disk Clone.

Step 3. Under the Drive image backup tab, select Online Backup, or Local Backup, or IDrive Express Backup according to your need.

Step 4. Then, select the source drive for backup, and choose a storage path for the disk backup image file.

Step 5. Click on Schedule Now to set up auto backup per your need, and hit Save Changes to begin the IDrive disk clone process.

To use the disk backup image on another disk, you need to let IDrive restore to different computer or similar hardware with the following steps:

Run the IDrive program, and click Clone/Computer Backup > Disk Clone. Then, navigate to Restore Drive Image Data > browse and pick the drive image file to restore > choose a restore location > click on Restore Now.

More Direct Way to Migrate from One Drive to Another without Recovery

Although IDrive Disk Clone provides the function of backing up and restoring the system drive, it is cumbersome for data transfer from one drive/PC to another. Not only does it require performing data restoration, but it also lacks advanced features like partition resizing, SSD alignment, etc. To make system disk cloning as simple as possible, AOMEI Cloner is a better solution.

This professional disk-to-disk clone software comes with Disk Clone, System Clone, and Partition Clone options, which separately enable you to copy an entire hard drive, only the Windows OS, and a specific partition to a new drive directly with no need to restore. And it offers stunning features, including:

AOMEI Cloner

Best System and Disk Cloning Software

• Support cloning HDD to HDD, HDD to SSD, SSD to HDD, SSD to SSD, and cloning external hard drive, SD card, USB drive, etc.
• Intelligent Clone (by default) to copy only used space, useful for migrating to a smaller drive or copying hard drive with bad sectors.
• Sector By Stecor Clone to copy every sector, including hidden and deleted data on the old drive.
• SSD Alignment to boost performance and extend SSD lifespan if you are migrating to an SSD.

Free Download
Win 11/10/8/7/Server

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Get this tool downloaded now and learn how to clone hard drive to new drive using AOMEI Cloner:

Step 1. Connect your new drive to your computer, and ensure it's recognized.

Step 2. Run this software, click Clone from the left sidebar, and select Disk Clone.

Step 3. Choose your current system drive to clone, and hit Next.

Step 4. Then, pick your connected new disk as the destination, and click Next.

Step 5. Enable SSD Alignment if the target drive is an SSD. Click Start Clone, and wait for the cloning to complete.

Once complete, you can switch your old drive with the new one to boot your computer from it seamlessly.

Conclusion

IDrive Disk Clone offers you the ability to duplicate your drive, especially if you're already using IDrive for cloud backups. However, it is complicated for data migration. When it comes to quick and secure disk cloning, AOMEI Cloner is what you need. This tool makes it simple to upgrade C drive with SSD or clone old computer to new computer, without reinstalling Windows or data restoration.

FAQs about IDrive Disk Clone

#1. What is the difference between an IDrive Disk Clone and an entire machine backup?

IDrive Disk Clone vs Entire Machine Backup, they differ mainly in the following aspects:

• Disk Clone on IDrive is a sector-level backup that creates an exact copy of the drive or hard disk. For example, if your C: drive has a total of 25 GB of space and 15 GB of used space, a physical disk with more than or equal to 25 GB of free space is needed to create a backup image file or clone. The local image backup is then uploaded to the cloud account.
• While Entire Machine Backup on IDrive is a file-level backup that backs up the computer to the cloud without creating a local copy. For example, if your C: drive has 25 GB of total space and 15 GB of used space, all data (15 GB) will be uploaded directly to the cloud account.

#2. Is it better to clone or backup?

It depends. Cloning is better when replacing or upgrading a hard drive. It ensures you can boot from the new drive immediately. Backup is better for long-term data protection against corruption, accidental deletion, or ransomware attacks.

#3. How do I clone a disk to another drive?

You can clone one drive to another directly with the specialized and reliable cloning tool AOMEI Cloner. Its Disk Clone function allows you to migrate everything from your old hard drive to new HDD/SSD without restoration.

#4. What is the difference between system backup and system clone?

System Backup creates a file-based backup of the operating system, saved as a compressed image file. You’ll need to restore it to use it.While system Clone directly transfers the OS to another disk, making it immediately bootable without any restoration process.

#5. What are the advantages of disk cloning?

Disk cloning provides several key benefits, like:

• Fast disk upgrades - move to a new drive without reinstalling everything.
• Reduced downtime- No need to restore from a backup for immediate boot capability.
• Simple disaster recovery - Quickly replace a failing drive without losing configuration settings.