Want to image Windows 10 to SSD? Learn how to create a system image of Windows 10 and transfer it to an SSD using a leading free backup software from this page.
When upgrading a Windows 10 PC, nothing delivers a faster and smoother performance boost than moving your system from a traditional hard drive to an SSD. But reinstalling Windows, reconfiguring personal settings, and reinstalling apps can be time-consuming and risky. That’s why the best solution is to image Windows 10 to SSD.
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✌ Multiple backup types: It supports full-system, disk, partition and file/folder backup. You can create a disk image or system image as you want.
✌ Flexible restore: When you need to restore your system/disk/files, you are able to restore to the original location or a new location.
✌ SSD optimization: If restoring system/disk image to an SSD, the program supports 4K alignment to improve SSD performance.
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In this part, you’ll learn how to image Windows 10 to SSD using AOMEI Backupper. Follow the instructions below:
1. Open AOMEI Backupper and navigate to Backup > System Backup.
2. The program will automatically select the system-related partitions. Choose a destination path such as an external drive, USB, or network location to save the image file.
3. Click Start Backup to begin creating a mirror image backup in Windows 10.
1. Connect your target SSD to the computer via SATA/NVMe slot or USB-to-SATA adapter.
2. Run AOMEI Backupper and navigate to Home > Restore.
3. Click the system backup task in the list and hit Next. If there is no backup task listed, you could click Select image to restore in the left bottom.
4. Tick Restore this system backup and click Next.
5. Tick Restore to a new location. Then, select the SSD as the destination disk and click Next.
6. Preview the operation summary and check the option SSD Alignment to improve SSD performance. Finally, click Start Restore to write Windows 10 image to your SSD.
Once the restore is complete, you need to boot from the SSD:
1. Restart your computer and press the appropriate key (usually F2, Del, or F12) to enter BIOS/UEFI settings.
2. Navigate to the Boot menu. Set the SSD as the Primary Boot Device.
3. Save changes and exit BIOS. Your system will now boot directly from the SSD with your original Windows 10 installation, apps, and settings fully intact.
✍Note: It is recommended to keep your old system disk disconnected during the first boot to avoid conflicts. Once Windows 10 boots smoothly from the new SSD, you can format the old drive for extra storage if needed.
While the system image and restore method is effective, there is an even simpler and faster way to migrate Windows 10 to SSD—System Clone, a one-click feature available in AOMEI Backupper Professional.
This feature eliminates the need to create and restore an image manually. Instead, it directly clones your operating system and all boot-related partitions to your new SSD in one continuous process. Want to know how to use it? Here are the detailed steps:
Step 1. Download, install, and launch AOMEI Backupper Professional.
Step 2. Go to Clone > System Clone. To image HDD to SSD in Windows 10, choose Disk Clone instead.
Step 3. The software will automatically select the system and boot partitions. Choose your SSD as the destination drive.
Step 4. Check SSD Alignment to enhance read/write speed and prolong SSD life. Then click Start Clone to begin the migration.
1. Do I need to reinstall Windows after imaging to SSD?
No. The purpose of imaging Windows 10 to SSD is to avoid reinstalling the OS. Your desktop layout, apps, and settings will transfer exactly as they were.
2. Can I image Windows 10 to a smaller SSD?
Yes, you can image or clone to a smaller SSD as long as the SSD has enough capacity for the used data on the original drive. Tools like AOMEI Backupper support intelligent sector backup/cloning, allowing migration to smaller SSDs.
3. Will imaging Windows 10 to SSD affect activation or license keys?
No. Your Windows activation status and software licenses remain intact after migrating to SSD, provided the hardware configuration (e.g., motherboard) remains the same.
4. How long does it take to image Windows 10 to SSD?
This depends on the size of your system and the speed of the drives. Typically, the process takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Using NVMe SSDs or USB 3.0 adapters will speed up transfer times.
Imaging Windows 10 to an SSD is one of the most effective ways to boost your computer’s speed, responsiveness, and reliability—without reinstalling the operating system or losing your personal data.
For users looking for a free and powerful solution, AOMEI Backupper Standard provides a reliable way to image and restore Windows 10 with ease. And if you prefer a faster, one-click migration with guaranteed boot success, the System Clone feature in AOMEI Backupper Professional is the ultimate upgrade path. Download AOMEI Backupper to make an easy PC upgrade today!
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