In this article, you’ll learn how to clone SD cards using Win32DiskImager and the best alternative, especially if it doesn't work or cloning fails. Scroll down to learn more!
Win32DiskImager is a free, open-source program designed to create an exact copy of an SD card or USB drive. It works by writing a disk image (a replica of your SD card's data) to a removable device and vice versa. This is especially useful in the following situations:
✅ Pros:
❌Cons:
In summary, Win32DiskImager is a great choice for simple SD card cloning, but it might not be the best tool for users looking for more advanced features.
A detailed, step-by-step guide with instructions on selecting the source and destination SD cards, writing the image, and ensuring a successful clone.
Step 1: Download and install Win32DiskImager from the official website. Connect the SD card you want to clone using a card reader.
Step 2: Navigate to the Device menu and select the SD card.
Step 3: Click the folder icon to choose a location to save the image file temporarily and name it with a .img extension.
Step 4: Click Read to clone the SD card using Win32DiskImager. Optionally, you can check the Read Only Allocated Partitions option to clone only the used sectors of the SD card.
Step 5: Wait until the process finishes and click OK. Then, connect the target SD card to your computer.
Step 6: Select the target SD card from the Device menu. Then, click the folder icon to select the image file created before.
Step 7: At last, click Write >Yes to write the image file to the target SD card.
When using Win32DiskImager to clone an SD card, users may encounter some common error messages, even clone failure. We’ll offer you effective measures to fix it in the following. Check if it helps you.
Here’s a list of Win32DiskImager cloning errors and how to resolve themin the following.
#1: Failed to write to the device
Cause: This typically happens if the SD card is write-protected or if there’s a hardware issue.
Fixes:
#2: The device is not ready
Cause: This error can occur when the SD card is not properly connected or recognized by your computer.
Fixes:
#3: The target device is smaller than the image size
Cause: This happens when you're trying to clone an SD card to a targetcardthat doesn't have enough space.
Fixse:
#4: Access denied or Permission issues
Cause: You might not have the necessary administrative permissions to access the SD card or write data to it.
Fixes:
Cloning an SD card isn’t always a smooth process, but there are several ways to prevent cloning failures:
#1: Check the SD Card for Errors First
Before cloning, it’s a good idea to run chkdsk to ensure there are no errors or bad sectors on the SD card. This will avoid errors during the cloning process.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: chkdsk X: /f (where "X" is the letter of your SD card).
#2: Use a Reliable SD Card Reader
Sometimes, issues arise because of a faulty or slow SD card reader. Always use a high-quality, reliable card reader that’s compatible with your SD card.
#3: Ensure Sufficient Space on the Target Card
Always check that the SD card you’re cloning to has enough space for all the data from the source card. If you're cloning an SD card with 64GB of data to a 32GB card, the cloning process will fail.
#4: Close Unnecessary Programs
Running too many applications on your computer while cloning may slow down the process or cause errors. Close all non-essential programs to free up system resources.
#5: Avoid Interruptions During the Cloning
Process interruptions (like disconnecting the SD card or shutting down the computer) can cause the cloning process to fail. Make sure the cloning process is complete before removing the SD card or shutting down your computer.
Sometimes, you need a Win32DiskImager alternative for smooth cloning, especially when the Win32DiskImager clone SD card is not working or cloning fails. AOMEI Cloner is more straightforward and offers advanced cloning features like Intelligent Clone, Edit Partitions, etc., to help a lot.
Step 1: Connect the target SD card to your computer using a reliable card reader. Then, open AOMEI Cloner, click Clone > Disk Clone.
Step 2: Select the two SD cards in the Source Disk and Destination Disk windows, respectively.
Step 3: By default, this software will resize the partition size automatically if the target SD card is larger. Optionally, click Edit Partitions to confirm. At last, check your settings and click Start Clone.
Free download AOMEI Cloner for easy cloning!
Win32DiskImager clone SD card creates exact copies of your SD cards, ensuring all data and system settings are preserved.However, it does not work at all times and can can errors.
Thus, many users are looking for the best Win32DiskImager alternative to clone SD card, especially when the target card is smaller. AOMEI Cloner is a great choice as it has a simple and intuitive interface as well as offers advanced cloning features.