How to Transfer Windows 11 to a New Drive/SSD (Step-by-Step)

Is your Windows 11 feeling a bit laggy? Maybe you’re running out of space on your current drive? The thought of reinstalling Windows 11 and all your applications can be a bit of a hassle. But there’s a way to transfer your existing Windows 11 installation to a new drive without the need for a fresh install. This guide will walk you through the process step by step so you can upgrade your drive and boost your PC’s performance without losing data or settings.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

You’re ready to move Windows 11 to a new drive. But before you dive in, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind:

What Does “Migrating Windows 11” Really Mean?

When we talk about transferring Windows 11 to a different drive, we’re talking about moving everything from your current Windows drive to the new one. That means your operating system, all your applications, your settings, and all your files. There are two major points that you should know before you start this process.

Point 1

You can’t simply take a Windows backup from one laptop and drop it onto another. While technically possible, moving a Windows installation to a completely different laptop might lead to some issues, mainly related to Drivers.

Each laptop has unique hardware, and Windows relies on specific drivers to make it work. When you move Windows to a new laptop, the old drivers may clash with the new hardware, leading to instability, crashes, and sometimes, a system that won’t even boot.

Point 2

Knowing your Windows license type is crucial because it directly affects your ability to transfer Windows installation. It’s essential to understand that Windows comes in two main types: OEM and Retail

OEM licenses are typically purchased by computer manufacturers in bulk and are locked to the specific hardware they’re installed on. These licenses are generally cheaper but are not transferable. Retail licenses are sold directly to consumers and are more expensive. They are transferable between computers and come with Microsoft support.

So, these methods for transferring Windows 11 to a different drive are more reliable for managing storage for upgrading your system within the same or similar hardware configurations. For moving Windows to a completely different hardware, a fresh installation is generally the most stable and problem-free approach.

Requirements

Your new drive needs at least as much free space as the used space on your current Windows drive. So, if your current drive has 300GB of data, you’ll need a new drive with at least 300GB of free space. Also, make sure your new drive is compatible with your computer’s connections (SATA, NVMe, etc.).

Note: Ensure your drive is formatted with NTFS to be compatible with this transfer.

Steps for Migrating Windows 11 (Both Internal and External Drives)

You have two options: one using the built-in option and the other using the DiskGenius software. Let’s dive in:

Method 1: Using Windows Backup and Restore (Built-in)

If you prefer to stick with Window’s own tool, there’s a built-in backup option you can use. This method is a bit more involved.

Step 1: Create a System Image Backup

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Control Panel and click the top result.
3. Click on System and Security.
4. Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
5. Click Create a system image in the left pane.
6. Select On a hard disk and choose a location to save the backup. An external drive is recommended.
7. (Optional) Select any additional drives to include in the backup.
8. Click Start backup.

Step 2: Create a Windows 11 Bootable USB Drive

There are different ways to create a Windows 11 bootable USB drive.

Step 3: Boot from the Windows 11 USB Drive

1. Insert the Windows 11 bootable USB drive into your computer.
2. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.
3. Change the boot order to boot from the USB drive.
4. Save the changes and exit BIOS/UEFI.

Method 2: Using DiskGenius

You can transfer Windows 11 from one drive to another using DiskGenius. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll be up and running on your new drive quickly.

Download and Install DiskGenius

Head over to the DiskGenius website and download the software. Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

Note: Do not install the software on the drive you plan to migrate from or to.

1. Open DiskGenius and connect your external drive. Then, click OS Migration.
2. Choose your new drive (destination disk) and hit OK.
3. Click Start to begin. Note: This will erase the new drive’s data. Confirm with OK.
4. Select Hot Migration (recommended) to transfer without a restart.
5. Wait for the migration to finish.

Note: After your computer restarts from the DiskGenius migration, it’s going to drop you right into the BIOS menu.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Look for a Boot Options tab or menu. It’s usually at the top of the screen.
2. Then, find the Boot Order section. This is where your drives are listed.
3. You’ll see the OS Boot Manager at the very top of the list.
4. You can also double-click on ‘OS Boot Manager’ to make sure it’s pointing to your new drive.
5. Once you’ve got the boot order right, find the ‘Exit’ option and select ‘Save Changes and Exit.’

While we’ve covered the most straightforward method for moving Windows 11 to a new drive, DiskGenius has even more ways to move Windows 11. Check out their website for more options.

And that’s it, folks! Moving Windows 11 is easier than you think.