Beginner's Guide: A Step-by-Step Tutorial to Free Clone Windows 11

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.

Windows 11 is the latest iteration of the Windows operating system, receiving widespread praise globally for its new features and utilities. If you're looking for a free way to clone Windows 11, we have good news. While Windows 11 doesn't come with a built-in cloning tool, there's still an effortless way to clone your Windows 11 installation. This article will explain the simplest and fastest methods to clone your Windows 11.

With the method outlined in this article, even a beginner Windows user can clone Windows 11 for free in about 15 to 30 minutes. This process will also work for cloning any other version of Windows.

How to Clone Windows 11 for Free? Your Complete Guide is Here

There are many benefits and reasons why you should prioritize cloning your Windows operating system instead of doing a clean install. This way, you can avoid the hassle of reconfiguring and reinstalling programs. If you think cloning Windows 11 is a complicated process, we've broken it down into the following 4 steps to simplify it for you:

• Step 1. Prepare the New Disk or Partition
• Step 2. Download and Install Free Windows 11 Cloning Software
• Step 3. Clone Windows 11 for Free
• Step 4. Make Windows 11 Bootable on the New Disk or Partition

Before starting the cloning process, decide where you want to clone Windows 11 to. Are you going to use a new disk or create a new partition on the same disk? We'll explain how to clone Windows 11 for both situations. Share this tutorial now to help more friends migrate Windows 11 to a new disk for free:

#1. Prepare a new disk or partition for cloning Windows 11

To start cloning Windows 11, you'll first need to prepare the target partition or disk. For instance, if you're planning to use a new disk, like an SSD, you'll need to connect it to your computer and initialize it.

When using a new partition on the same disk, you'll need to format and clear the existing partition to make room. To clone Windows 11 to a new disk, follow these steps to initialize the new disk on your computer:

Step 1: After connecting the new hard drive to your computer, turn it on and press "Win + X." From the menu that pops up, click on "Disk Management."

Step 2: Navigate to the new disk in Disk Management, right-click on it, and select "Initialize." In the wizard that follows, choose the same partition style as the disk that contains Windows 11.

Step 3: After the disk has been initialized, right-click on it and select “New Simple Volume” to create a new partition on the disk.

If you want to use the same disk but create a new partition to clone a free Windows 11, follow these steps to format and clean the existing partition:

Step 1: Use the Windows search bar to open “Disk Management,” and find the partition you wish to format. Right-click on it and select “Format.”

Step 2: In the formatting window, uncheck "Quick Format," then click "OK" to begin the formatting process. Once the partition is formatted, you can use it to clone Windows. If you want to create a new partition, you'll need to delete the old one first.

Step 3: Right-click on the partition and select “Delete Volume.” After deleting the partition, right-click on the Unallocated space and select “New Simple Volume” to create a new partition.

#2. Download and install a free Windows 11 clone software

To clone Windows 11 for free, you need reliable Windows 11 cloning software, as Windows 11 itself doesn't have a built-in cloning tool. Fortunately, we've found the best tool for you – AOMEI Partition Assistant Free. You can download this tool for free to clone Windows 11. It offers a simple and fast Windows 11 cloning process and provides many additional features to make the process smoother.

Notable key features

• Allocate Space: The "Allocate Space" function can take unallocated space from one partition and assign it to another partition on the same disk. Your data in the partition will not be affected during this process.

• Check Disk Health: You can use its "Disk Health" feature to keep an eye on the state of your hard drive. It can be used to identify issues with your hard drive and take appropriate measures to resolve them.

• Test your disk speed: Using the “DiskMark” feature in the “Partition Master” tool, you can see how fast your hard drive reads and writes data. This will tell you if your computer is running slow because of a slow hard drive.

• Check file system errors: Partition Master provides an extensive tool to detect file system errors on your hard drive. You can easily identify and resolve issues such as invalid files, disk full, inability to read or write, and more.

• 4K Alignment: If you're using an SSD but the system is still running slow, junk data on the SSD might be affecting its performance. You can get rid of all the junk data and restore the speed of your SSD by 4K aligning it with the Partition Master tool.

#3. Free Guide to Cloning Windows 11

Now that you have your target disk ready and the Partition Master tool installed, it's time to clone Windows 11. Below, we've outlined the process for all types of Windows users:

Step 1: In the left menu, select Clone. Click Clone Partition and Next.

Step 2: Select the source partition, and click Next.

Step 3: Select the disk partition that you want to convert, and click “Next” to continue.

If you clone a partition to an existing one, move or back up your data first because the data will be overwritten. 2. Review the warning and confirm with Yes.

Step 4: Click “Start” and wait for the cloning process to finish.

You can see how to clone a partition or the System Reserved partition in this video tutorial.

In addition to cloning Windows 11, the Partition Master tool also allows you to clone an older OS version to a new disk, such as to clone Windows 10 to SSD for free.

#4. Create bootable Windows 11 installation media

To ensure that your cloned Windows 11 boots when you restart your computer, you need to set the partition or disk containing Windows 11 as the highest boot priority. This can be done through the BIOS settings, following these steps: 1. Restart your computer and enter BIOS: While your computer is starting up (usually when the manufacturer's logo appears), press a specific key continuously (such as F2, F10, Delete, or Esc) to access the BIOS. The key varies depending on your computer brand. 2. Locate the "Boot" or "Startup" option: In the BIOS menu, find settings related to booting. This is typically found in sections like "Boot," "Startup," or "System Configuration." 3. Modify the boot order: Within the "Boot" or "Startup" menu, you'll see a list of boot devices. Use the arrow keys to select the hard drive or partition where your cloned Windows 11 is located and move it to the top of the list. 4. Save changes and exit: After making the adjustments, choose "Save Changes" or "Exit" and confirm to save. Your computer will automatically restart and load Windows 11 from the high-priority boot device you set. Please note that BIOS interfaces and key combinations may differ slightly depending on the brand. If unsure, consult your computer manufacturer's user manual or online support resources for guidance.

Step 1: After cloning Windows 11, restart your computer and enter its BIOS settings using the BIOS key. The BIOS key is usually DEL, F1, F2, F10, or F12, depending on your computer's brand.

Step 2: Use the arrow keys to navigate to the "Boot" tab in the BIOS settings, then locate the "Boot Device Priority" option. The wording may vary slightly depending on the brand of your computer.

Step 3: Here, you'll need to use the "+" or "-" keys to set the disk or partition with Windows 11 as the highest priority. Once done, press "F10" to save and exit the BIOS, then restart your computer.

Final Award

When changing computers or upgrading the hard drive, cloning Windows 11 is faster and more beneficial than reinstalling. With a professional tool like Partition Master, the entire process takes no more than 15 minutes, allowing you to clone Windows 11 for free. Partition Master assists with every step, from creating partitions to optimizing your hard drive.

FAQs About Clone Windows 11 Free 1. What is Clone Windows 11 Free? Clone Windows 11 Free is a free software utility designed to clone or copy the Windows 11 operating system to another hard drive or partition. This helps users preserve their settings and data when upgrading hardware or backing up their system. 2. Is Clone Windows 11 Free safe to use? Clone Windows 11 Free is generally safe to use if downloaded from a reputable source. However, there is always a risk with any software, so ensure your source is reliable and run an antivirus scan before installation. 3. Can I clone my licensed version of Windows 11 with this tool? Yes, Clone Windows 11 Free should be able to clone your licensed version of Windows 11. However, you may need to reactivate your Windows license on new hardware. 4. Does Clone Windows 11 Free require technical expertise? The cloning process might involve some technical steps, but Clone Windows 11 Free is likely designed to be user-friendly for beginners. Still, if you're not familiar with these processes, it's advisable to research beforehand or seek professional assistance to avoid data loss. 5. Are there any limitations in the free version? The free version of Clone Windows 11 Free might have limitations, such as cloning only specific disk sizes or having usage limits. Detailed information should be available on their official website or user manual. 6. How do I back up my system using Clone Windows 11 Free? Typically, you would launch the software, select the source drive (your current running Windows 11 system), and specify the target drive or partition. Follow the wizard's instructions to complete the operation. 7. Will cloning affect my installed programs and files? If the cloning is successful, your programs and files should remain intact in the new system, just as they were in the original. However, it's always recommended to back up important data beforehand as a precaution. Please note that this information is based on general understanding, and specifics may vary depending on the software version and provider. Always consult the official documentation or contact the developer for the most accurate information before using any software.

Since cloning Windows 11 can be a challenging task for new Windows users, we have answered some common questions about cloning Windows 11 for free below:

1. Does Windows 11 Have a Cloning Tool?

No, the Windows 11 operating system itself does not include a built-in cloning tool. You would need to use a reliable third-party cloning utility to clone Windows 11. For instance, "Partition Master" offers a straightforward cloning process that allows you to clone Windows 11 for free.

2. How to Clone Windows 11 to NVMe SSD?

To clone Windows 11 to an NVMe SSD, first, connect the drive to your computer. Then, initialize it using the same partition style as the drive containing Windows 11. Next, use a tool like Partition Master to clone Windows 11. Finally, set the NVMe SSD as the boot drive in the BIOS.

3. What is the best cloning software for Windows 11?

AOMEI Partition Assistant is the best cloning software for Windows 11. It offers an easy-to-use cloning process and is available for free download and use. This tool also helps you create, delete, or merge partitions on your computer.