Clone BitLocker Drive with Macrium Reflect & Alternative

Can Macrium Reflect Clone a BitLocker Drive?

BitLocker is a Windows built-in function that is designed to protect your data by encrypting drives, thus preventing unauthorized access. When cloning a BitLocker-encrypted disk, you may wonder: Does Macrium Reflect work with BitLocker? Yes, Macrium Reflect can clone a disk with BitLocker, but there are two situations:

• Clone a drive with BitLocker enabled
• Cloning after decrypting the drive

When the drive is cloned with BitLocker enabled, the cloned copy remains protected with BitLocker encryption. However, cloning an encrypted drive can occasionally run into complications due to system configurations or TPM (Trusted Platform Module) dependencies.

On the other side, decrypting the drive before cloning ensures compatibility but requires you to have the password key and to temporarily disable data protection. This method is generally more stable and less prone to boot issues.

Step-by-Step Guide on Macrium Reflect BitLocker Drive Clone

Here are the steps that you need to follow these steps to clone BitLocker drive using Macrium Reflect.

Step 1. Connect the new SSD or HDD you want to clone to. Make sure it's equal to or larger than the source BitLocker drive.

Step 2. Download and open Macrium Reflect.

Step 3. Locate and select your BitLocker-encrypted source drive(it will show a padlock symbol), then click on Clone this disk.

Step 4. Then, select the target disk and ensure all partitions from the source are copied correctly.

Step 5. Click Next and review all settings. Then, hit Finish > OK to initiate cloning.

Bonus: Alternative Way to Clone BitLocker Drive

While Macrium Reflect support BitLocker drive clone, users sometimes face issues like: the cloned drive not booting, BitLocker not functioning properly post-clone, or data corruption during transfer. An alternative like AOMEI Cloner offers better compatibility with Windows systems and BitLocker drives. It also offers a simpler interface for both beginners and advanced users.

This tool is capable of cloning BitLocker drive to SSD and HDD from all popular brands, such as Samsung, Crucial, WD, Seagate, and so on. Also, you can use it to clone external hard drive, USB drive, SD cards, etc.

How to Clone BitLocker Encrypted Drive using AOMEI Cloner

Follow these steps to clone BitLocker encrypted drive easily.

Presiquites:✎...

Make sure your source and destination drives are connected properly. Back up the files on the destination disk, as the cloning process will erase all data on it.

As it is going to run sector by sector clone, please ensure that the destination drive is equal to or larger than the source disk.

If you want to clone to a smaller drive, please decrypt the source drive beforehand. This software will run an intelligent clone to copy only used space.

Step 1. Run this disk cloning software. Click on Disk Clone under the Clone tab from the left menu.

Step 2. Select the BitLocker encrypted drive as the source disk, and click Next. Select your connected new drive as the destination disk, and then click Next.

Step 3. Tick Sector By Sector Clone in the lower left corner, and click on Start Clone to copy the entire disk with BitLocker encryption.

FAQs about Macrium Reflect BitLocker Clone

#1. Can a BitLocker encrypted drive be cloned?

Yes, BitLocker encrypted drives can be cloned using tools like Macrium Reflect or AOMEI Cloner. However, it is essential to understand whether you want to preserve the encryption or decrypt it before cloning.

#2. Will Macrium Reflect disable BitLocker after cloning?

No, Macrium Reflect does not automatically disable BitLocker. If the drive is encrypted during cloning, the encryption remains intact. However, boot issues may arise if the new system lacks the necessary TPM setup or recovery keys.

#3. What is the difference between Clone and Image in Macrium?

• Clone: An exact 1:1 copy of the entire drive, used primarily for disk upgrades or migrations.
• Image: A compressed backup of the drive that can be stored and restored later. It is more flexible for long-term backups, but not ideal for immediate drive replacements.

In the End

When it comes to cloning an encrypted drive, it shouldn't be a tricky thing as long as you use the right tools. Macrium Reflect BitLocker compatibility makes it a powerful tool, but for users who need a smoother experience or additional features, AOMEI Cloner stands out as a robust alternative.