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Summary :

Usually, some of you may use Acronis True Image to clone a disk to SSD for better performance, disk upgrade, backup, etc. Besides, an alternative to Acronis clone – MiniTool ShadowMaker can also help you. We will show you some related information on disk cloning software and how to clone a hard disk.

What Is Disk Cloning Software

Basically, disk cloning refers to the process of copying all the contents of one hard drive to another disk. A clone is an exact copy of the disk. Usually, you may choose a hard drive cloning software like Acronis clone (will be mentioned below) to replicate the Windows operating system of a computer, software, and patches software.

With PC cloning software, you will not spend time in manually reinstalling and reconfiguring a system. So, you can perform one or more operations, as shown below:

1. Set up multiple computers with duplicate configurations
2. Complete system recovery when software problems or computer failure happen
3. Reboot and restore a computer to an earlier version
4. Upgrade your hard drive to a larger one or replace a damaged disk

Backup VS Disk Cloning Software

Additionally, you can use cloning software to protect your data. Isn’t what backup software is for?

Actually, full-image backup software is not the same as disk cloning software although the reasons for using them may have the similarity. When should you use each? See the guide below:

Use backup software if you have a need to do:

1. Back up files or folders to the cloud so that you can protect data offsite and access them remotely.
2. Back up the entire computer regularly to a local, external hard drive or the cloud. The image backup software can create a disk image backup including all boot information, settings, data, applications, etc. With it, incremental or differential backups can be created for only changed data, which takes less time than a new disk image backup.

Use cloning software (Acronis clone) if you want to:

1. Upgrade disk or replace a disk.
2. Set up a computer the way you want, clone the disk and install the clone on each machine with duplicate the configurations.

Related article:How to Install Windows 10 on a New Hard Drive (with Pictures)

The Benefits of Cloning Software

For most home computer users, the biggest benefit of cloning software is that you have a complete snapshot of your computer at a single point in time when comparing to backup software. For example, you may want to have the perfect setup for the computers at home or in office so that you can use all applications and settings again at any time.

This way, all the computers have the same programs and you will get the same experience no matter which machine you use. Of course, there may be different documents like Word and Excel on each PC but how these programs & the version and user interface are accessed are the same on each PC.

The Best of Both Worlds: Acronis True Image

Key Cloning Software Features

What is the best cloning software? Simply put, it should meet some requirements. See the following key features:

• Simple: transfers data by data migration; offers the easiest way to back up and restore the OS
• Efficient: restores multiple computers at the same time rather than configuring each computer separately
• Secure: uses the most stringent security available to ensure data is protected and safe

Acronis Clone

You may require both backup and cloning solutions. Here, Acronis True Image 2019 will be a good choice since it is an application for disk clone, backup and cloud things. It supports multiple platforms, such as Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.

You can use the easy-to-use wizards of this software via the set-up process. This cloning software will run automatically once the initial set-up is complete, which eliminates any further time or effort.

Necessity: Alternative to Acronis True Image Clone to SSD

After learning so much information about disk cloning software, you may choose Acronis True Image to clone your disk to SSD or any other disk. However, you are required to purchase it for disk cloning. Then, you may want a free cloning program like this Acronis cloning software.

Besides, some users reported many Acronis True Image Windows 10 problems. For example, this software might be stuck at load up process with the message 'Acronis loading ...Please wait'; when trying to make a backup, it won’t start, etc.

To clone a hard drive well, Acronis clone alternative is needed. In the following part, we will show you one.

MiniTool ShadowMaker: Alternative to Acronis True Image Clone for Windows

MiniTool ShadowMaker that comes from MiniTool® Software Ltd. is a professional, reliable, safe and free backup software for Windows 10/8/7. It effectively and securely offers you continuous data protection.

With this freeware, you can enjoy the benefit of disk backup and disk cloning tools, including incremental & differential imaging backup, flexible schedule option, multiple choices as to where to store your cloned-disk copy, etc.

Above all, you can clone not only system disk but also data disk to another hard drive. With the system disk copy, it is easy to restore the Windows to a previous version in the event of computer issues. Besides, you are able to upgrade disk and set up multiple computers with duplicate configurations, which is the same as Acronis clone (as mentioned above).

Right now, click the following button to get MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial Edition (Windows and Server OS are supported) that gives you 30-day free trial with all powerful features. After the specified date, you should upgrade it to a full edition if you want to use this program.

Let’s see how to clone your disk with this Acronis True Image alternative.

Step 1: Go to Choose a Computer for Disk Cloning

1. Run MiniTool ShadowMaker that you have installed on a Windows 10/8/7 computer.
2. Continue to use the Trial Edition by hitting Keep Trial.
3. In the following interface, decide which computer you want to manage. Here, we choose the local computer by clicking the left Connect button.

Step 2: Find a Feature for Clone

1. Enter the Tools
2. Choose Clone Disk to continue.

Step 3: Configure the Disk Cloning

You are required to choose both the source disk and the target disk. Just click the corresponding section to choose them and click OK to continue.

1. Both the system disk and data disk can be cloned by this Acronis clone alternative.
2. An SSD, HDD, or any other device can be as the target disk.

Step 4: Perform the Cloning Operation

MiniTool ShadowMaker is cloning your disk; it gives you the cloning progress bar, the rest time, etc.

1. You can wait patiently until the process is finished.
2. Or tick the Shut down the computer when the operation is completed option.

Attention:

Windows might mark either the original disk or the target disk as offline after disk cloning with this alternative to Acronis clone, so you should shut down the computer and disconnect either of them.

1. For disk backup, remove the target disk.
2. For disk upgrade, if you want to boot your Windows OS from the target disk, remove the original disk and connect the cloned hard drive to the PC via a SATA interface.

Related article: Cloned Drive Won't Boot How to Make Cloned Drive Bootable?

Further Reading: Disk Imaging

As mentioned above, image backup and disk cloning are two common solutions for data protection. MiniTool ShadowMaker can not only clone your hard drive but also create an image backup for Windows OS, files, partitions or the entire disk, with incremental & differential backup supported. Similarly, this is what Acronis True Image can do.

To back up the entire disk, you need to select all the partitions of your system disk. Then, specify a target path like an external hard drive to start a backup. When your computer goes wrong, the system disk image can be used to restore the entire computer without losing data.

Related article: Hard Drive Image Software - Best Way to Image a Hard Drive Win10/8/7

Free Acronis Clone Alternative for Mac: Disk Utility

Besides Windows OS, Acronis True Image is also available in Mac. After introducing the alternative to Acronis cloning software for Windows, we will show you the alternative for Mac.

In Mac OS, there is a built-in backup and clone software that is Disk Utility. It has always been able to create clones, although this app refers to the process as Restore, as in restoring data from a source drive to a target drive.

Of course, the Restore feature isn’t limited to drives. Additionally, it can work with any storage device that can be mounted by the Mac, including disk images, SSDs, hard drives, and USB flash drives.

All in all, it lives up to free Acronis clone software alternative.

Related article:Best Alternative to Carbon Copy Cloner for Windows to Back up PC

Free Acronis Clone Alternative for Linux

If you are running a Linux system, you might be looking for a Linux cloning software like Acronis True Image to clone your disk to another one for data protection. Which one is a proper and free cloning software for Linux?

When searching for this topic on the internet, you will find many, for example, Clonezilla, G4L, Mondo Rescue, etc. Just choose one based on your needs.

The End

Are you looking for a software like Acronis True Image to clone a hard drive to SSD for Windows, Mac or Linux? After reading this article, you can clearly learn them.

Above all, as an Acronis clone alternative for Windows, MiniTool ShadowMaker is quite powerful, reliable and safe; it is free for you to clone a hard drive to an HDD, SSD, etc. If you are interested in this free hard drive cloning software, download it right now by clicking the following button.

Remember to let us know if you have any questions regarding MiniTool software. Of course, any suggestion is also appreciated. Contacting [email protected] and leaving a comment are both OK.

Acronis Clone FAQ

1. Launch Acronis True Image.
2. Click Clone Disk in Tools.
3. Choose a clone mode, Automatic or Manual.
4. Choose the source disk.
5. Select the target disk.
6. After you ensure that the configured settings, start the disk cloning operation.

Hard drive cloning is a process of creating 1 to 1 copy of the content of hard drive or solid-state drive. The contents are saved as a disk image file and can be transferred to storage devices like DVD, hard drive, or USB drive. In case, if your original hard drive fails, you can quickly swap it with the clone. This helps you to avoid reinstalling system software.

Following is a handpicked list of Top Hard Drive Cloning Tools, with its popular features and website links. The list contains both open source(free) and commercial(paid) software.

1) Acronis

Acronis replicates a computer's operating system, software, patches, and drives. It allows you to duplicate the configurations of multiple PC so that each system is identically set up.

Features:

• It provides a complete image of your PC at a single point in time.
• This software defines when, what, and where to backup your important data.
• Acronis secures your important using the stringent security.
• It offers the easiest way to backup your data and clone disk.

2) EaseUS Todo Backup

EaseUS Todo Backup software product allows you to clone a smaller hard disk drive to a larger hard disk drive. It also allows you to clone HDD to SSD for increasing performance.

Features:

• It allows you to clone MBR (Master Boot Record) disk to GPT (GUID Partition Table) disk or GPT disk to MBR disk from your small size disk to large size disk.
• Clone one partition or multiple partitions instead of the whole disk to avoid the loss of your data.
• This software product helps you to recover deleted data or backup your system.
• You can restore files, system, partition, or disk.

3) AOMEI Backupper

Fender hot rod deluxe serial number. AOMEI Backupper app enables you to transfer your operating system to another drive without installing it again. This software helps you to upgrade your hard from old disk to a new one.

Features:

• You can clone one disk to another without a disturbing operating system.
• Clone data sector by sector.
• It supports GPT (GUID Partition Table) and MBR (Master Boot Record) partition styles.
• Clone HDD (Hard Disk Drive) to HDD, HDD to SSD (Solid-State Drive), or SSD to SSD for disk upgrades and data migration.
• Services are available for Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows, etc.
• It allows you to access your important files on your tablet, mobile phone, or laptop with your cloud network account.

4) MiniTool Partition Wizard

MiniTool Partition Wizard helps you to manage disks partitions and check the file system. This tool measures the read and writes speed under disk access scenarios like random or sequential.

Features:

• This software helps you to check which file is taking too much disk space.
• It allows you to move or resize the partition.
• You can migrate the operating system to SSD.
• It enables you to convert NTFS (New Technology File System) to FAT File Allocation Table).
• MiniTool Partition Wizard allows you to recover partition and data.

Download Link:https://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html

5) Active@ Disk Image

Active@ Disk Image is a handy hard disk image software that helps you to t creates a similar copy of, SSD, USB, HDD, Blu-ray, etc. and stores it into a folder. This software can be used for PC upgrades, disk duplication or backups, purposes.

Features:

• It supports Windows XP, 7, 8, 10 Vista, Server 2003, and 2012.
• You can mount any image as a virtual drive.
• This tool provides image compression.
• A copy of disk partition or hard drives contains only occupied sectors.
• It offers to image and restore fixed hard disks, and solid-state drives, and removable disks.
• You can verify the image after creating it.

Download Link:https://www.disk-image.com/index.html

6) Macrium Reflect 7

Macrium Reflect 7 provides a backup, disk imaging and cloning solution for commercial as well as personal use. It offers direct disk cloning and a secure way to store your commercial and personal data. You can backup data to local, USB, and networked drives.

Features:

• It increases the disk space of your computer by rapid delta cloning.
• Create images of a live/running Windows OS.
• You can boost your backup in Microsoft Hyper-V virtual machines.
• This software encrypts your backups.
• Schedule your backup with flexible templates.
• It provides rapid data cloning and restores for fast DR.

Download Link:https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

7) Paragon Drive Copy

Paragon Drive Copy Professional allows you to migrate disk to a larger drive. It also allows you to manage hard disk partitions effectively.

Features:

• Users can keep your disk properly organized.
• This tool enables users to clone their OS to a USB flash drive and use it.
• Copy or restore files to a hard disk with various sector sizes.
• It allows the user to perform partitioning operations to keep disks properly organized.
• This tool has a built-in wizard that restores various types of images.

8) O&O

O&O DiskImage allows you to restore the system and to duplicate or clone hard drive or PC. It supports Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows.

Features:

• It is easy to restore files, folders, drives, and disk.
• This software allows you to boost the system with driver integration.
• It has enhanced functions to control via Command Lines.
• You can directly create virtual hard disks.
• This tool provides monitoring and warning of security risks.
• You can adjust the selected DPI setting of a connected monitor.

9) Clonezilla

Clonezilla is a disk imaging or cloning program. It helps you to clone GNU/Linux, Intel-based Mac OS, MS windows, and FreeBSD.

Features:

• You can restore one image to multiple local devices.
• It allows you to restore multiple local devices.
• This tool supports multicasting.
• It provides AES-256 encryption to safeguard data access, storage, and transfer.
• This tool offers BMR and GPT partition formats of a hard disk.
• You can customize your imaging and cloning.

Download Link:https://clonezilla.org/

10) R-Drive Image

R-Drive is a software which provides disk image files creation for duplication and backup process. It contains the exact copy of a hard drive, logical disk, and partition.

Features:

• You can store drive image files in removable media such as Iomega Zip, Jazz disks, CD-R(W)/DVD, etc.
• It creates images without restarting your windows system.
• The tool can restore images onto their new disks, original disks, hard drive's free space, or partitions.
• Clone disk by copying data from source disk to the target one.
• It can connect its image files as read-only virtual drives.
• This tool has a multi-language user interface.

Download Link:https://www.drive-image.com/

11) Driveimage XML

Driveimage XML is another effective software for imaging and backing up the partition and logical drives. It enables you to store images in XML files and process them with 3^rd party software.

Features:

• You can copy directly from one hard disk to another one.
• This tool lets you browse images, view, and extract files.
• You can run DriveImage from runtime WinPE boot CD-ROM or live CD.
• This tool provides scheduling automatic backups.
• It helps you to restore images to the same or a different drive.

Download Link:https://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

FAQ

What is Hard Drive Cloning?

Hard drive cloning is a process of creating 1 to 1 copy of the content of hard drive or solid-state drive for backup purposes

How long does Hard Drive Cloning take?

Cloning speed is a function of 2 parameters

1. Amount to data to be transferred
2. SSD or Hard Drive Data transfer speed

Do note that a Hard Disk Manufacture like Western Digital may claim a transfer rate of 200MBps, but in the real-world, you may achieve only half of that speed.