How to Use Clonezilla on Windows 10/11 [2024 Guide]

Updated by

Sherly 

Authored by

Linda 

Last updated on April 19, 2024

When it comes to cloning hard drives, Clonezilla might come to mind. It's a free cloning tool, but it might not be the best option for beginners. It provides a complex interface, so you'll need some computer skills.

If you plan on using Clonezilla as your cloning tool, this guide will walk you through the process of using it on Windows. With step-by-step instructions and live images, it ensures a smooth cloning experience./The tool provides comprehensive guidance to assist you every step of the way.

Furthermore, the process may take some time, so we'll introduce you to a cloning alternative: Partition Master. This tool can help you clone an entire disk with just three easy clicks.

How to Use Clonezilla - A Comprehensive Guide

This section will help you understand what Clonezilla is and how to make the most of its features. Click and share this page to spread the word about Clonezilla and its alternatives to those who aren't familiar with them:

What is Clonezilla?

Since 2007, Clonezilla has been an open-source disk cloning tool that's renowned for being free. It also boasts other popular features such as system deployment, data backup, disk imaging, and partitioning. Additionally, it has broad compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Clonezilla offers two versions: Clonezilla Live and Clonezilla Server. Clonezilla Live is specifically designed to aid individuals in cloning small amounts of data. Here's an article that analyzes several disk cloning tools:

Top 5 HDD to SSD Cloning Software [Your Pick for 2024]

This article lists the top 5 cloning software options to help users clone HDD to SSD without data loss.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cloning Hard Drives with Clonezilla (UTF-8)

Here are the detailed steps to clone a hard drive using Clonezilla. Follow this procedure to ensure a successful cloning process. Let's get started:

Create a bootable USB drive

Step 1: Open your Windows computer and launch a web browser.

Step 2: Download the Clonezilla Live software from its official website.

Note: Select the CPU architecture as amd64, and the file type as iso.

Step 3: Download any burning tool to create a bootable device. We're using Rufus 3.20. You can download other tools to use instead of Rufus.

Step 4: Plug the USB drive into a computer running Windows.

Step 5: Go to your Downloads folder, then open the Rufus ".exe" file.

Step 6: Click the "Select" button under "Startup Disk."

Step 7: Select the downloaded Clonezilla file and then click “START” at the bottom. This will begin creating a bootable Clonezilla on your connected USB drive.

Step 8: Restart your computer if you've completed all of the above.

Step 9: Press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS setup.

Note: If you're unsure which “Fn” key is correct, search online with your computer's model number to find out.

Step 10: In the BIOS settings, find the menu and use the up and down arrows to move the USB drive to the top of the list. Use the plus sign (+) and minus sign (-) keys to navigate.

Step 11: Select the Save & Exit option.

Cloning Disks with Clonezilla Live

With the bootable drive created, we need to clone the data to another drive. Make sure your USB is connected.

Step 1: Boot the computer from the USB drive and connect the target SSD/HDD.

Step 2: When you see the menu below, choose “Clonezilla live”. Press Enter to proceed.

Step 3: Select "English" as the language, then press "Enter."

Step 4: Set the keyboard layout to “Default”.

Step 5: Select “Start Clonezilla” to continue.

Step 6: Select "Device-Device, clone directly from one hard drive or partition to another" mode and press "Enter".

Step 7: Select Easy setup: Use default options, and press Enter to run the wizard.

Step 8: Select “disk_to_local_disk local_disk_to_local_disk_clone” as the cloning method, then press [Enter].

Step 9: Next, it will prompt you to select the source disk and target drive. Choose the appropriate drives as needed.

Step 10: Type skipcheck and press Enter.

Step 11: Press 'Y' three times, then hit Enter.

Step 12: It will begin the cloning process. Wait for it to finish, then shut down your computer when it's done.

Step 13: Eject the USB drive and turn on your computer.

If your computer fails to start up, reconnect the bootable drive and change the boot order in the BIOS settings.

For users who are not comfortable with the process, you can try an alternative that allows for an easy, automated clone with just a few simple clicks.

Best Alternative Tool - Partition Master

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional (EPM) is a user-friendly and time-saving alternative to Clonezilla. With just three clicks, the job is done, sparing you from the time-consuming cloning process of Clonezilla. EPM not only clones hard drives but also lets you handle all disk management tasks, such as creating partitions, resizing, and formatting.

While Clonezilla requires some computer know-how, the tools provided by Partition Master have a user-friendly interface. Novices and experienced users alike can manage the cloning process with easy-to-follow on-screen prompts.

Download and try out Partition Master, and then clone your hard drive with simple steps.

< strong > Step-by-step guide to clone hard drive with Partition Master Tool

Step 1: Select the source disk.

Click "Clone" on the left menu. Choose "Clone System Disk" or "Clone Data Disk", then click "Next". Select the source disk, then click "Next".

Step 2: Select the target disk.

Choose the HDD/SSD you want as the destination, then click “Next” to proceed. Read the warning message and confirm by clicking the “Yes” button.

Step 3: Review the disk layout and edit the target disk partition sizes if necessary.

When prompted that all data on the target disk will be erased, click “Continue” (make sure to back up any important data on the target disk beforehand).

Here you can choose to “Automatically adjust the disk size,” “Clone to the same size as the source disk,” or “Edit disk layout.” (Choose the last option if you want to allocate more space for the C drive.)

Step 4: Click Start to begin the disk cloning process.

This is an embedded YouTube video player that allows fullscreen playback and has enabled relevant permissions. The video ID is "HlAXoK0Ca5o".

Additional features:

• Disk/Partition Clone: Easily clone an entire drive or a specific partition.
• OS Migration: Move your operating system to another computer without reinstallation.
• Data Backup: Safeguard your data while cloning a hard drive to another.

Experience the powerful features of Partition Master tool for efficient cloning and disk management. Try it now and enjoy hassle-free disk management.

Conclusions

We hope this guide helps you understand how to use Clonezilla on Windows 10/11. Clonezilla is an excellent tool for transferring data from one disk to another, but it requires advanced computer skills. Experienced users can create a bootable media using Rufus and follow the provided steps. If you're unsure about handling complex procedures, consider the recommended alternative, Partition Master. It offers advanced features to meet all your cloning and disk partitioning needs.

Find more useful information in the following article:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on How to Use Clonezilla

If you want to learn more about using Clonezilla on Windows 10/11, here are some answers to common questions.

1. How do I use device images with Clonezilla?

First, boot up Clonezilla, and then use its device-image feature as instructed on the screen. Here, you'll find options for disk cloning, disk imaging, and disk restoration. Choose the disk imaging option and follow the on-screen instructions to ensure a correct cloning process.

2. How do I use Clonezilla to format a hard drive?

Formatting a hard drive with Clonezilla is a simple process. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Boot your drive using the Clonezilla Live USB.

Step 2: Select the disk formatting option from the screen.

Step 3: Locate the drive you want to format.

Step 4: Choose the file system format you prefer and confirm your actions.

Step 5: Restart your computer.

3. Can Clonezilla save to an NTFS file system?

Yes, Clonezilla supports saving images to an NTFS file system. During the cloning or restoration process, when prompted to choose a destination, select an NTFS partition or disk as the target.