How to Install Windows on Different Drive without USB: 2 Ways

Can You Install Windows 10/11 on New SSD without USB?

When upgrading to a larger SSD/HDD or replacing a failing hard drive in your computer, your biggest concern may be data loss. Replacing boot drive with a new SSD is not just about the system not running; it's also the loss of personal files. Then there may be questions like: Can I install Windows on a different drive without USB?

Absolutely, yes. While it is common to install Windows with USB with the help of a bootable USB drive, you can install Windows 10/11 on a new SSD without USB by using alternative approaches like system cloning or mounting an ISO file directly within your current Windows environment. These methods allow you to bypass creating a bootable USB altogether.

How to Install Windows on a Different Drive without USB

Now let’s dive into the practical methods of how to install Windows on new SSD without USB. The two ways are available to install Windows 10/11 on another drive without USB.

Solution 1. Transfer Windows to Different Drive without USB via Cloning

Cloning your current system is arguably the fastest and most efficient way to install Windows on a different drive without USB. With a reliable cloning software like AOMEI Cloner, you are able to copy your existing OS installation to the new drive exactly as it is. It helps to duplicate your entire OS environment, including settings, files, applications, and system configuration, to a new SSD or HDD.

Also, this tool offers to transfer everything from one drive to another, including not only the Windows OS but also other personal files. In just a few steps, you can install Windows on another drive, no reinstalling or reconfiguration.

AOMEI Cloner

Best System and Disk Cloning Software

• Multiple cloning options: It provides System Clone (one-click OS migration), Disk Clone (a whole disk migration), and Partition Clone (a specific partition migration) for diverse cloning needs.
• Supports different disk sizes: Except for cloning to a larger disk, it is able to clone from a larger drive to a smaller drive with intelligent sector cloning, by only copying the used space.
• SSD alignment: It uses 4K partition alignment to improve SSD performance automatically during cloning.
• Supported devices: It works with all kinds of HDDs and SSDs, regardless of disk brands, disk size, or interface.

Free Download
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Follow the guides below to learn how to install Windows 11 on a different drive without USB or CD/DVD.

Step 1. Install your new SSD or HDD into your computer and make sure it can be detected. If there is no extra drive bay inside your computer, you may connect it via a SATA-to-USB adapter.

Step 2. Install and launch AOMEI Cloner. Click Clone, then select System Clone on the main interface. To clone your entire disk, select Disk Clone instead.

Step 3. Select the new drive as the target location, and then click Next to continue. Because the program is designed to automatically select system partition and boot-related partitions for you.

👉Note: For Disk Clone, you need to select your current system drive as the cloning source manually.

Step 4. Tick SSD Alignment to speed up the performance of SSD if you're cloning to an SSD, and click Start Clone to install Windows 10 on new SSD easily.

Solution 2. Reinstall Windows without USB Drive using ISO File

If you don’t want to use a third-party tool to install Windows 10/11 on new SSD without USB, reinstalling Windows directly from an ISO file is another excellent method. This process requires downloading the Windows ISO, mounting it, and then launching the setup.

Steps to clean install Windows 11 without USB:

Step 1. Visit Microsoft's official Windows download page. Select the Windows 11 option under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO).

Step 2. Then, go on to select the installation language, and click the Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file on the device.

Step 3. Right-click the downloaded ISO file and click on Open. Then, a virtual drive will appear in File Explorer.

Step 4. Click on the new connected SSD drive from the left navigation pane. Then, double-click setup.exe to launch the Windows 11 installation wizard.

Step 5. (Optional) Click the Change how Setup downloads updates option.

Step 6. Select the Not right now option, and click Next.

Step 7. Click on Accept to agree to the terms.

Step 8. Click the Change what to keep option, choose the Nothing option, and click Next.

Step 9. Click the Install button, and then follow the on-screen guide to let Windows complete the installation. It may restart several times during the process.

FAQs on Installing Windows on Different Drive without USB

#1. Does installing Windows 10 on a different drive delete everything?

Not necessarily. It depends on which method you use and whether the target drive already contains data. Here's how it works:

• Cloning preserves everything from the source.
• Custom installation using ISO gives you the choice to format the drive or keep files (though most clean installs do wipe the partition).

#2. Does it matter what drive you install Windows on?

Yes, it does. Installing Windows on an SSD instead of an HDD makes a huge difference in speed and responsiveness. It also has benefits like:

• Boot times are faster on SSDs.
• Windows updates and application loading are more efficient.
• Lower power consumption, especially in laptops.

Always choose a drive with enough storage space (at least 64GB recommended for Windows 10/11) and reliable performance ratings.

#3. Can you choose what drive to install Windows?

Absolutely. During the installation process using an ISO, Windows Setup lets you pick the target drive. Just make sure:

• The drive is properly connected and recognized.
• It has enough unallocated space or a formatted partition ready.
• You don't accidentally overwrite another important drive.

Conclusion

Installing Windows on a different drive without USB is possible, and it is remarkably straightforward when using cloning tools like AOMEI Cloner. Whether you're cloning your current system or starting fresh with the ISO file, both methods eliminate the need for a USB device.

If you're aiming for speed, reliability, and convenience, cloning with AOMEI Cloner is the smarter way to migrate your OS without reinstalling and data loss. For a clean start, using an ISO gives you full control over where and how Windows gets installed.