By
Ivy
/ Last update
October 30, 2025
How Does System Image Backup Work?
A system image is a complete backup of your entire Windows 10 installation, not just your personal files. It includes the operating system, installed programs, system settings, and all user data stored on the system drive.
It allows you to restore Windows 10 image to new hard drive and replace the failing or old drive if the system fails, or due to corrupted hard drives, or you need to upgrade to larger SSDs or HDDs, keep everything exactly as it was, without reinstalling Windows or apps. The overall steps:
- Prepare what you need: system image, recovery drive, new hard drive with enough space.
- Boot Windows 10 from the recovery drive.
- Select the system image backup to restore. Once done, it will navigate to the Windows desktop just as if nothing happened.
Restore Windows 10 Image to New Hard Drive with Built-in Tools
Windows 10 comes with built-in features that let you create and restore system image to new hard drive without third-party software. In addition, you still need to create a Windows 10 recovery drive, which is required to restore Windows 10 system image.
Step 1. Create a system image backup
1. Type control panel in the Start menu and select Backup and Restore (Windows 7) on the right panel.
2. Click Create a system image on the left panel.
3. Choose where to save the backup. Click On a hard disk and select your external drive.
4. All partitions related to start Windows are included automatically. Confirm it and click Next > Start Backup.
Step 2. Create a Windows 10 recovery drive
1. Type create a recovery drive in the Start menu and open it.
2. Check Back up system files to the recovery drive in case you need to reinstall Windows.
3. Connect a USB drive (at least 8 GB) and select it as bootable media.
4. Be sure all data on the drive will be deleted, and click Create.
Step 3. Restore Windows 10 image to new hard drive
1. Restart your computer and press F2, F10, F12, ESC, or Del to enter the Windows Recovery Environment. Select the language and keyboard layout.
2. Click Troubleshoot >Advanced options >System Image Recovery.
3. Select Windows 10 as the target operating system. It will automatically search for the latest system image backups and select it. You can also select a system image to restore manually.
4. Select the location of system image where you want to use. If it’s saved on an external drive, connect it and click Refresh.
5. It will list all available system image backups on this drive. Select the latest backup and click Next.
6. You are able to format the drive. Check the option and click Next > Finish. Click Yes to continue when prompted: all data on the drive to be restore will be replaced with the data in the system image.
Step 4. Extend the new, larger hard drive [with full capacity]
1. Right-click the Start button and select Disk Management.
2. Locate your system drive (usually C:), right-click it, and choose Extend Volume.
3. Click Next on the welcome screen.
4. Select the unallocated space you want to add and click Next > Finish.
More Flexible Way to Restore Windows 10 Image to New Hard Drive
You can also use an all-in-one backup and restore software, AOMEI Backupper Standard, which integrates all the necessary tools to create a Windows 10 system image and restore it, whether your computer is healthy or failing.
- Streamline processes: While restoring system image, you can choose to restore within Windows or in the PE recovery environment.
- Multiple Backup Solutions: Optionally backup the system partition or entire disk, and save them to different locations.
- Auto Space-Saving Features: Include incremental backup, compression level, intelligent sector backup, etc., to minimize the size of image files. All features are default-enabled and adjustable.
- Works with both HDDs and SSDs: Whether you’re upgrading to larger HDDs or faster SSDs, it ensures seamless performance and alignment.
- Bootable Media Creator: Support creating bootable USB, CD/DVD, or ISO files to start a failing system.
With AOMEI Backupper, you can easily and quickly restore Windows 10 image to new hard drive without extra software. It eliminates the need to create a Windows 10 recovery drive for a working computer.
Step 1. Create a system image
1. Open AOMEI Backupper after installing it on Windows 10. Then, click Backup and System Backup. To transfer everything, click Disk Backup.
2. The OS and boot-related partitions are included automatically. Click the PC icon to select a destination, such as external drive, network drive, NAS, etc.
3. Confirm the backup settings and click Start Backup. For long-term data protection, click Schedule to set up automatic backups.
Step 2. Restore system image to new hard drive
1. Under the Home tab, click Restore. It will automatically scan and list all available backup images.
2. Select the Windows 10 system image and click Next.
3. Select Restore this system backup and click Next. You can click the drop-down arrow to select full/incremental/differential backup (if there is).
4. Check Restore to a new location and select the new hard drive as the destination.
5. Be sure to check SSD Alignment and accelerate the writing and reading speed of SSD drive. Click Start Restore.
⚠️Notes:
✔ Edit Partitions: It’s to extend the partition to full capacity, available only when your system partition consists of one partition.
✔ Universal Restore (default-enabled): It’s designed to ensure a secure boot while restoring Windows 10 to new hardware. It will install all drivers required to start Windows.
Final Thoughts
Restoring Windows 10 system image to new hard drive is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to recover a failing computer or upgrade a hard drive, without reinstalling Windows or losing data.
While Windows built-in tools can handle basic restoration, they’re often limited and prone to errors, especially when dealing with different hardware or SSD upgrades. AOMEI Backupper, an all-in-one backup and restore, is easier and more flexible.
FAQs about restoring Windows 10 image to new hard drive
1. Can I restore Windows 10 system image to different hard drive?
Yes. You can restore Windows 10 system image to a new HDD or SSD as long as the drive has enough space. If the new drive has different hardware, use a tool like AOMEI Backupper to ensure it boots properly.Its Universal Restore feature will install the necessary drives to start Windows.
2. Will restoring system image delete everything on the new drive?
Yes. The restoration process overwrites all existing data on the target drive with the data in the system image. Be sure to back up any important files on the new drive before restoring.
3. Can I restore Windows 10 image to larger SSD or HDD?
Yes, but if you are using built-in tools, you still need to extend a larger SSD or HDD using Disk Management to make full use of disk space. AOMEI Backupper allows you to resize partitions during the restore process.
4. Is there an easier way to restore Windows 10 to a new hard drive?
Yes, AOMEI Backupper Standard simplifies the entire process. It integrates all necessary tools tocreatesystemimageandrestoreit on a new drive, whether the computer is failing or healthy. It supports multiple backup solutions, auto space-saving features, HDD/SSD migration, different hardware restores, and more.
5. Can you restore Windows 10 image to another computer?
Yes, you can restore Windows 10 image to another computer, even with different hardware, as long as the software can resolve the driver compatibility issues, just like AOMEI Backupper.