Norton Ghost on Windows 11: Can You Still Use It in 2025?

Norton Ghost was discontinued on April 30, 2013. If you use Norton Ghost on Windows 11, you may encounter compatibility issues. For better performance, you can turn to a Norton Ghost alternative.

By @Lily
Last Updated April 23, 2025

Is Norton Ghost Still Available?

Norton Ghost, once the gold standard for disk cloning and system imaging, was officially discontinued by Symantec in 2013. While some users still try older versions, running it on Windows 11 is unsupported and risky. Here are the key compatibility issues you’ll face:

  • No UEFI/GPT Support: Norton Ghost was never designed to handle UEFI boot systems or GPT-formatted drives, both of which are required for Windows 11 installation.
  • Secure Boot & TPM Conflicts: Windows 11 enforces Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0. These features can block outdated software and unsigned executables from running correctly—especially during system recovery.
  • No Official Windows 11 Support: Because development for Norton Ghost ended long before Windows 11 existed, there are no updates, bug fixes, or official patches to make the tool work reliably on modern systems.
  • Boot Media Limitations: Even if you manage to create a Ghost boot disk, booting into recovery mode on UEFI-based systems often fails due to lack of driver and file system support.

Best Norton Ghost Alternative for Disk Cloning in Windows 11

If you’ve realized Norton Ghost isn’t going to cut it on Windows 11, the next step is finding a reliable replacement. AOMEI Cloner stands out as one of the best Norton Ghost similar software—especially for Windows 11 users. It’s purpose-built to handle the hardware and software landscape Ghost was never designed for, and it’s packed with features that make disk cloning effortless and safe.

AOMEI Cloner
Best System and Disk Cloning Software
  • Cloning options: It gives you options to clone entire disk, selected partitions or clone only operating system.
  • Partition styles: It supports both MBR and GPT data & system disks. You can perform cross-style cloning (GPT ↔ MBR) without conversion.
  • Different sizes: With the intelligent clone and partition editing capabilities, you can clone larger drive to smaller drive or vice versa easily.
  • Disk interfaces: It supports all types of disk interfaces, including SATA, mSATA, U.2, M.2 and PCIe.
Free Download
Win 11/10/8/7/Server
100% Secure

Download AOMEI Cloner and install it on your PC now!

How to Clone HDD to SSD on Windows 11

Upgrading from a traditional hard drive (HDD) to a solid-state drive (SSD) is one of the best ways to boost your PC’s speed and performance. And with AOMEI Cloner, the process is fast, straightforward, and risk-free—even on Windows 11. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1. Connect Your SSD to the Computer

Plug the target SSD into your computer using a SATA-to-USB adapter or install it directly inside your PC. Make sure the drive is recognized in Windows—you can check this in Disk Management.

Step 2. Create a Disk Clone Task

1. Open AOMEI Cloner and go to the “Clone” tab on the left sidebar. From the available options, select “Disk Clone”.

2. Choose your current hard drive (HDD) as the source disk, then select your new SSD as the destination disk.

✍ Note: If the destination SSD contains partitions or data, you’ll be prompted to make a backup first. If you have already made a backup or you don’t need the data any more, click OK to continue.

3. Check the “SSD Alignment” box to optimize performance and lifespan for your SSD. Click “Start Clone” to begin. The time it takes depends on the size of your HDD and the speed of the drives involved.

Step 3. Swap the Drives and Boot from SSD

After cloning is done, shut down your PC. If you're replacing the old drive, remove the HDD and install the SSD in its place. Alternatively, change the boot order in BIOS/UEFI to prioritize the SSD.

✍ Note: After confirming that everything is working on the SSD, you can format the old HDD for extra storage.

FAQs about Norton Ghost on Windows 11

1. Is Norton Ghost compatible with Windows 11?

No, Norton Ghost lacks official support for Windows 11. While some users attempt to run older versions, it may cause errors, crashes, or security vulnerabilities due to outdated drivers and missing updates.

2. Can I migrate my old Norton Ghost backups to a new tool?

Possibly—if the backups are in a standard format (e.g., .VHD). Some alternatives (like Macrium) support importing legacy images, but testing is essential.

3. Did Symantec replace Norton Ghost with a newer product?

Yes. Symantec shifted to Symantec System Recovery (now Veritas System Recovery) for businesses, but consumer-grade alternatives (like AOMEI Cloner) are better for home users.

To Sum Up

Due to lack of support for UEFI, GPT, and Secure Boot technologies, it is not recommended to use Norton Ghost on Windows 11. Thankfully, powerful alternatives like AOMEI Cloner offer fast and reliable cloning solutions built specifically for today’s hardware and operating systems. Whether you’re upgrading to an SSD or safeguarding your data, AOMEI Cloner makes the process effortless and safe for Windows 11 users.