How to use Macrium Reflect to clone OS and data to SSDĪfter downloading and installing Macrium Reflect Free on the machine of interest, you will choose the cloning function on the main program screen.īy default, Macrium Reflect prepares to copy the contents of all partitions from the source hard disk to the target SSD: make sure the Copy selected partitions when I click Next box is checked. However, connecting it via USB allows you to simplify the procedure and open the computer only once the operating system and data have been cloned. Of course, the target SSD can also be plugged into the PC where possible. There are also USB NVMe adapters available for those using PCs with M.2 slots. After connecting the SSD to the PC’s USB port, the power supply must also be connected. You can recycle the old external boxes for the insertion of hard disks, bearing in mind that some of them needed to be powered. For the transfer to be successful (Macrium Reflect checks if it can be done before starting the operation), it is sufficient that the sum of the space occupied by the data on the source partitions is at least equal to the capacity of the destination SSD (add it anyway at least 20-25% more). The other great benefit of using Macrium Reflect is transferring Windows to a smaller SSD than the original hard drive. Macrium Reflect allows you to automate the entire process by allowing it to be managed from a convenient graphical interface. In this way, Macrium Reflect can create a copy of a live Windows installation while running on a system by directly cloning to SSD media. The program relies on the system supported directly by Microsoft to create shadow copies in Windows, used among other things in wbAdmin. The advantages offered by Macrium Reflect, even in the free version, are not insignificant. Ability to customize the destination disk structure.SSD optimization and alignment performed automatically.Cloning can also be performed on SSDs smaller than those of the starting hard disk.It is not necessary to use bootable media.Cloning can be done without leaving Windows.

Ability to directly clone hard drive to SSD.

Using macrium reflect free edition