Clonezilla is a free, open-source disk-cloning tool trusted by IT pros worldwide. It makes an exact copy of a drive — operating system, programs, settings and files — so you can move to a new SSD or larger hard drive without reinstalling anything. This guide walks a first-timer through a safe disk-to-disk clone.
Before you start
You’ll need: the source drive (your current one), the destination drive (the new one, connected via a spare SATA port or a USB-to-SATA adapter), and a Clonezilla boot USB. The destination drive is completely erased during cloning — make sure it holds nothing you need.
Step 1 — Boot Clonezilla
- Connect both drives to the computer.
- Insert the Clonezilla USB and boot from it (F12 / Esc boot menu at power-on).
- Choose Clonezilla live at the menu, accept the default language and keymap options.
- Select Start_Clonezilla.
Step 2 — Choose device-to-device mode
Pick device-device (work directly from disk to disk), then Beginner mode for safe defaults. Choose disk_to_local_disk for a full-drive clone.
Step 3 — Select source, then destination
Get the direction right
Clonezilla asks for the source (the disk you’re copying from) first, then the destination (the disk you’re copying to). Double-check the sizes and model names — picking them the wrong way round overwrites your good drive. When in doubt, disconnect all other drives so only these two are present.
Select your current drive as the source and the new drive as the destination.
Step 4 — Run the clone
- Accept the prompts (Clonezilla asks twice for confirmation — type
yeach time). - If the destination is larger, let Clonezilla proportionally resize the partitions so you use the extra space (option
-k1), or expand the partition later in Windows Disk Management. - Wait for the copy to finish — speed depends on data size and drive type.
- Power off, remove the old drive (or set the new one first in the boot order), and boot from the clone.
How our RecoveryUSB handles this
Our Clonezilla recovery USB arrives ready to boot — no formatting, no ISO writing, no BIOS wrestling to create it. Plug it in, follow the included step-by-step guide, and clone your drive with confidence. Ideal for HDD→SSD upgrades and PC migrations.
Get a RecoveryUSBAfter cloning: swap and verify
Boot from the new drive and confirm Windows, your apps and files are all present. Once verified, you can wipe the old drive and keep it as a spare or backup.
Skip the trial and error — use a ready-made RecoveryUSB
Every RecoveryUSB ships pre-built and tested, with a step-by-step guide. Free fast worldwide shipping.
Shop Recovery USBsFrequently asked questions
Does Clonezilla copy Windows and all my programs?
Yes. A full disk clone copies everything — the operating system, installed programs, settings and personal files — so the new drive boots and behaves exactly like the old one, with no reinstall.
Can I clone to a smaller SSD with Clonezilla?
Cloning to a smaller drive is possible only if the used data fits, and it needs advanced/expert options. Cloning to a same-size or larger drive is the straightforward, beginner-safe path.
Is Clonezilla safe for beginners?
Yes, in Beginner mode with the defaults — the one thing to get right is choosing source and destination correctly. A ready-made Clonezilla USB with a step-by-step guide makes this easy.