Cloning vs. Clean Install: Which Is Right for You?

Updated by Linda on Mar 10, 2022 , Category: Disk/Partition Clone | How-to Guides

Cloning versus clean installation is a choice we need to make when replacing the HDD or SSD in our computer. By default, the new drive will only be used for personal storage unless an operating system is installed on it.

There are two ways to install the Windows operating system on your hard drive, and which one you choose is a matter of personal preference. You can:

• Clone your current hard drive and migrate your operating system without a reinstall.
• Format the drive, then do a clean install from a bootable USB drive.

Maybe you've seen one or two of these methods recommended, but you're still not sure. That's what this article is for. It will walk you through the decision process for cloning vs. clean install, and recommend a simple disk-imaging tool.

How to Create a Bootable Clone of Your Windows 10/8/7 Disk to a New HDD/SSD

To clone a bootable Windows 10 hard drive, you can choose to clone the entire disk or clone the partitions (s) containing the OS and related boot files...

What is "Disk/Partition Clone"?

Disk/partition cloning refers to the process of copying the contents of an entire hard drive to another storage medium, including the Windows operating system, updates, installed programs, personal files, games, and data.

It's fast, and many people prefer it when deciding between cloning and doing a clean install, since it also captures hidden files that might not occur to you to copy manually.

The storage medium can be a removable media or the hard drive of another computer. Make sure it has enough memory to hold the contents of the source drive in full. Unwanted files and junk folders will also be copied over. Disk/Partition cloning should only be chosen if you plan on transferring the entirety of your old drive's contents to the new one.

Also, the source and target drives must be connected to the same computer via SATA-to-USB adapters, either internally or externally. There is no official Microsoft cloning software, so you'll have to get a reliable third-party clone app. We recommend using the Disk Copy tool.

As shown, the program needs permission to format the target drive before it begins cloning. A successful clone results in the source and target drives having the same layout/partitions after the clone.

A "Windows Clean Install" refers to a method of installing the Windows operating system where none of the existing data, settings, or programs are preserved. It involves wiping out all existing partitions on the hard drive or formatting the hard drive, and then installing the system anew from installation media, such as a DVD or USB drive. This approach ensures a virus-free and bloatware-free system, providing a fresh start. However, it also means losing all personal files and applications, hence it's crucial to back up important data beforehand.

A clean install of Windows refers to formatting the current hard drive and installing a new Windows operating system using the Windows installation media. It's like starting from scratch, bringing your computer back to its out-of-box state.

While it is the more time-consuming cloning option, it has its advantages. A clean install of Windows is recommended to address computer memory and performance issues or to rid your device of viruses and malware. You can think of a clean install as a way to restore your computer to its original state. This explains its effectiveness in resolving issues you previously encountered.

Any data, programs, and other important files on the hard drive will be completely erased. As shown here, this will remove files, settings, and apps from the version of Windows on the device.

Thus, it is generally recommended to create a backup before starting the clean installation process or upgrading an operating system. Failing to do so can result in data loss. The backup should be stored on an external drive or another computer system to prevent losing files and programs during the reinstallation process.

Cloning vs. Clean Install: Which Is Right for You?

When you get a new HDD or SSD, you have the option to clone or do a clean install. Both methods work well for upgrading your Windows operating system, but they each have their specific use cases. This means that one method might be more suitable than the other in certain situations.

Use the Disk/Partition Clone method when:

• You want to replicate the exact configuration of your PC on another computer.
• You need to perform multiple installations of the same system OS and configuration across several computers.
• You want to restore an existing hard disk to its original settings and configuration.
• You need to migrate critical data and disk contents to a new drive.

You should perform a clean installation of Windows in the following situations:

• Solve issues with your current computer operating system.
• Remove malware and other security threats.
• Upgrade to a new version of the Windows OS without any side effects.
• You're still experiencing performance issues even after uninstalling some programs.

To clone a system or disk, select the “Disk Copy” tool.

Both cloning and clean installation yield satisfactory results. However, the latter can be stressful, as you have to manually back up your data and files to an external storage medium. Thus, a clean install is recommended only when you have HDD problems.

Otherwise, cloning is better and more time-efficient. Cloning involves creating an exact replica of your system data and configuration, to be used as a restore option or to replicate on other computer systems, thus sparing you the lengthy process of installing everything manually.

Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't have an official cloning software. Thus, you'll need to look for a third-party cloning solution that can effectively replace your hard drive, upgrade your disk, and migrate your OS version. The Disk Copy Tool is one such tool that can do all these tasks. Like other Windows cloning software, it doesn't require the usual time-consuming reinstallation process.

Why use a disk cloning tool?

• It's a reliable cloning option with an intuitive interface that anyone can understand.
• It enables the creation of a 100% replica of Windows operating system versions efficiently.
• Guarantees zero data loss when transferring data and configuration settings to another SSD or HDD.

How do I use a disk cloning tool?

Step 1. Download, install, and run Disk Copy on your computer.

Click “Disk Mode,” then select the hard drive you want to copy or clone. Click “Next” to continue.

Step 2: Select the target disk.

Note: If you are copying or cloning a source disk, the target disk should be the same size or larger.

If prompted, click “Erase” to erase the data from the target disk.

Step 4: Check and edit the disk layout.

If your target disk is an SSD, make sure to check the “Target is SSD” option.

Step 5. Click “Continue” to begin the hard drive cloning process.

Conclusions

The decision to clone versus do a clean install depends on your computer system. If your Windows OS and hard drive are functioning well, you only need disk/partition cloning software. However, if you're experiencing performance or operational issues with your OS and hard drive, you should opt for the Windows clean install option.

However, the best solution to the cloning/clean-install problem is to get a utility that can clone your system perfectly and provide backup support for a clean install. Disk Copy has long been our tool of choice. It's not too technical – why not give it a try?