How to Image a Hard Drive Windows Xp

An Exclusive List of Top Hard Drive Cloning Software with Features, Comparison, and Pricing. Select the Best Disk Cloning Software Based on this Review:

Hard drive cloning software can make an effective copy of a hard drive. System administrators use cloning software to migrate data from one PC to another. Additionally, disk cloning apps make the upgrading of hard drives and SSDs faster and easier.

A hard disk cloning app can also be used to create a local backup of hard drives. Moreover, you can use the software to create a bootable USB or CD/DVD drive.

Hard Drive Cloning Software Review

There are so many cloning apps available online and selecting one can indeed be a challenge. To save your time, we have scoured the net and picked the best disk cloning apps that offer great value for money.

Fact Check: Hard disk cloning applications are an invaluable tool for backup and recovery. The global data backup and recovery market are worth over $10 billion. By 2021, the market is expected to increase to $11.59 i.e. an increase of 10.2% annually. The market drivers include an increased focus on data quality management and operational excellence.

Market Value of Data Backup and Recovery 2017 – 2022

Recommended Read => SSD Vs HDD

Pro Tip: While selecting a hard disk cloning app, you should note that there is no one-size-fits-all. You should decide which is the best solution based on your disk cloning requirements and budget. Find out if a free trial is available to check the features before making a purchase.

What You Will Learn:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• List of Best Hard Disk Cloning Software
  • Comparison of Hard Drive Cloning Tools
  • #1) AOMEI Backupper Standard
  • #2) O&O Disk Image
  • #3) MiniTool Partition Wizard
  • #4) Macrium Reflect
  • #5) EaseUS Todo Backup
  • #6) Acronis True Image 2020
  • #7) Clonezilla
  • #8) Paragon Software Hard Disk Manager
• Conclusion
  • Recommended Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Q #1) What is a Hard Drive Cloning Application?

Answer: A hard disk cloning application is used to clone hard drives. The software creates an exact duplicate of the hard disk. The application copies the content of the hard disk to a file.

You can clone a hard drive to another drive, a hard drive to an SSD, or a master boot record (MBR) disk to the GUID partition table for creating a bootable drive.

Suggested Reading =>> Main differences between MBR vs GPT

Q #2) What are the uses of Cloning Software?

Answer: A hard drive cloning app is generally used while upgrading a system. Using the application saves time in reinstalling and configuring systems. System administrators can also use the software to configure multiple systems with the same configurations.

Additionally, the disk cloning application can be used while upgrading the hard drive or SSD to a higher capacity drive.

Q #3) How to clone a hard drive using a disk cloning app?

Answer: Cloning a hard drive using a cloning app is easy. You should first connect the new hard drive to the system. Next, turn on the system and open the cloning software.

Initialize the new drive to match the partition type of the existing disk that you want to clone. Click on the continue button to clone the drive.

Q #4) Can you clone a hard drive with bad sectors?

Answer: Bad sectors are sections of a disk that are damaged. Not all cloning software can clone disks with bad sectors. You should look at the features to know whether the app supports the cloning of damaged disks.

However, remember that most cloning software can clone disks with only a few damaged sectors. They can't clone disks with too many bad sectors.

Q #5) Is it better to clone or image a hard drive?

Answer: Disk cloning and imaging are distinct processes that are suitable in different situations. Creating a disk image involves compressing files to an ISO file. In contrast, cloning refers to creating an exact copy – files, boot records, and themes without compressing them.

You can use both techniques for backing up files or upgrading a drive. However, cloning is the best choice for drive upgrades while imaging is the right choice when creating a backup.

Recommended Reading =>> How to Transfer Windows 10 to SSD

List of Best Hard Disk Cloning Software

1. AOMEI Backupper Standard
2. O&O Disk Image
3. MiniTool Partition Wizard
4. Macrium Reflect
5. EaseUS ToDo Backup
6. Acronis True Image 2020
7. Clonezilla
8. Paragon Software Hard Disk Manager

Comparison of Hard Drive Cloning Tools

#1) AOMEI Backupper Standard

Best for: Home, individual, commercial and non-commercial use for disc imaging and cloning.

Price: Free.

AOMEI Backupper Standard is a free cloning software that can protect your system against crashes. The software allows free network cloning and image deployment. You can boot multiple clients using the image file within the LAN.

The software can restore individual files, apps, folders, and entire disk partitions. The free app supports advanced features such as data compression, data splitting, and backup encryption.

Features:

• Disk cloning and imaging
• Creating bootable discs
• NTFS to FAT 32 convertor
• Incremental backup
• Automatic backups and Real-time sync.
• Smart Cloning: If the target disk is large enough to hold all the data on the source disk, the user can clone the larger disk to the smaller one.
• Sector by sector clone: All sectors are completely cloned to the target disk, and the functions of the source disk will also be cloned to the target disk.

Cons:

• Slow backup

Verdict: AOMEI Backupper Standard supports a lot of advanced features to create a backup of disks and partitions. The only complaint against the software is its slow backup time. But this can be easily overlooked as the software is available for free.

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#2) O&O Disk Image

Best for: Personal and commercial disk management including disk cloning, imaging, and remote scripting for Windows 7+ operating systems.

Price: O&O disk image is available in three different plans. The professional version with basic disk management features is priced at $49.95. Workstation version that supports advanced network functions like remote installation, scripting, central management, and reporting cost $59.

The Server version that supports Windows 2008 and Server 2019 costs $299. A 30-day trial version is also available to test the disk management features.

O&O Disk Image is a comprehensive disk management software. The application can backup the entire system while the system is being used. Admins can clone and duplicate the entire hard disks and restore even to a system with different machines.

Features:

• Backup disks and files.
• Create virtual hard drives.
• Incremental and differential backups.
• Windows boot system.
• Dynamic and GPT volumes.

Cons:

• Lacks advanced disk cloning features.

Verdict: O&O Disk Image is great for professional disk management. According to the reviewers, the software is easy to use and highly customizable. However, the app does lack advanced disk cloning features offered by competing products.

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#3) MiniTool Partition Wizard

Best for: Home and commercial use for disk copying and management on Windows XP or later systems.

MiniTool Partition Wizard Pricing: Minitool Partition Wizard is available in free and paid versions for non-commercial and commercial uses. The price plans for home and home offices range between $59 and $99.

The prices of the professional paid version include $259 for use on a single server, $399 for use on 99 devices within the enterprise, and $699 for use on 299 devices anywhere. A limited feature trial version is also available for the professional version.

MiniTool Partition Wizard is reliable disk management and cloning tool. The disk cloning software can be used to check system integrity, align partitions, manage & clone disks, and convert MBR to GPT files. The software supports the latest disk technologies including GPT and Windows dynamic disks.

Features:

• Recovery of lost partitions and files.
• Supports MBR and GPT formats.
• Assess disk performance and fix system errors.

Cons:

• Cluttered user interface.

Verdict: Minitool Partition Wizard is a competent disk management tool that lets you do more than just cloning and disk back up.  The new users may find difficulty in navigating through the features of the disk management application.

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#4) Macrium Reflect

Best for: Commercial and non-commercial use for creating a copy of disks, individual partitions, and files on Windows XP and later.

Price: Macrium Reflect is offered at separate pricing plans for business and personal use. The single license package for personal use is offered at $69.95. For business use, there are nine different pricing plans as shown below. A 30-day trial version is also available for commercial editions.

Additionally, a free version with limited features is available for both personal and home use.

Macrium Reflect can be used for cloning & imaging disks, partitions, and individual files. The application can be used to recover damaged disks and partitions. You can use the application to create an exact copy as well as compressed archival files.

The software can restore exact images of partitions by allowing you to upgrade hard drives or back up files. This software can also mount images of the files and folders as a virtual image thereby allowing you to restore them in the event of a system failure.

Features:

• Clone entire disks
• Create backup images of files and folders.
• GPT and MBR support allows the creation of bootable drives.
• Pre-defined backup template
• Support for SSD trim

Cons:

• No support for incremental backup.
• No backup sync

Verdict: Macrium Reflect is a great cloning and imaging app that can quickly process and backup disks and files. The free version can satisfy the data copying needs of most users. Professional users and businesses should consider the paid version.

Website: Macrium Reflect

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#5) EaseUS Todo Backup

Best for: Commercial and Non-commercial use for creating a backup of files, folders, and partitions on Windows and Mac systems.

Price: EaseUS Todo Backup is offered in two versions. There is a basic free version for personal use. The paid version for commercial and non-commercial use is offered in three different pricing plans as shown below. A 30-day free trial is also available for the paid version.

EaseUS ToDo Backup is a simple to use disk imaging and backup tool. The free non-commercial version software supports incremental and differential backup. The paid version supports advanced features including system cloning, smart backup, email backup, and offsite copy.

Features:

• Disk cloning
• Image backup
• Incremental and differential backup
• Cloud backup
• MBR clone function

Cons:

• File sync and mirroring not supported.
• No support for GPT/GUID partition table.

Verdict: EaseUS Todo Backup is a reliable image backup and disk cloning software. As per the online user reviews, the software outpaced AOMEI Backupper Standard in backing up files. The software will meet the needs of average users. But the professionals might be disappointed with this software.

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#6) Acronis True Image 2020

Best for: Personal use for creating a copy of disks, individual partitions, and files on Windows 7+, macOS 10.11+, iOS 10.3+ and android 5.0+ mobile devices.

Price: Acronis True Image is offered at three different pricing plans as shown below. A 30-day trial version is available to test the features of the software.

Acronis True Image 2020 is a versatile disk cloning and mirror imaging software. The application supports cloud disk cloning and backup management. It also features advanced AI technologies and blockchain data notarization that provides real-time protection against crypto-jacking and ransomware.

Features:

• Disk cloning and mirror imaging
• Cloud backup management
• Incremental backups
• Blockchain verification
• End-to-end AES-256 encryption

Cons:

• Heavy resource usage

Verdict: Acronis True Image 2020 is a fast and powerful disk cloning and imaging application. The application is a great choice for personal users to back up and protect their systems.

Website: Acronis True Image 2020

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#7) Clonezilla

Best for: Personal and commercial use for disk cloning & imaging on Linux, Mac, and Windows systems for free.
Price: Free Cloning Software and open-source.

Clonezilla is a free, open-source hard drive cloning and imaging application. The software is one of the few free cloning software tools that work on drives with bad sectors. This application allows the system admins to carry on bare backup and entire system deployment. It supports the simultaneous cloning of 40+ systems.

Features:

• Multicast cloning
• BitTorrent support
• AES 256 encryption
• MBR and GPT partition supports.

Cons:

• Differential/Incremental backup not supported.
• Online imaging/cloning not supported.

Verdict: Clonezilla is a great open-source disk cloning and imaging software. According to most of the reviewers, the app supports fast backup and cloning of disks and files. However, some users have also complained about the user interface that is difficult to navigate.

Website: Clonezilla

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#8) Paragon Software Hard Disk Manager

Best for: Commercial and non-commercial cloning of disks on Windows 7+ operation systems.

Price: For personal use, it costs $79.95. The business version is offered in four different packages as shown below. There is no trial or free version available.

Paragon Software Hard Disc Manager can back up large files and entire disks in a fast and reliable way. The software supports a full range of professional disk cloning and imaging. It allows cloning the hard disk to a larger drive.

Features:

• Data backup and migration
• Basic partitions
• MBR and GPT support
• Microsoft Dynamic Disk Support

Cons:

• No Incremental/Differential backups.

Verdict: It comes with the basic functionalities for backup up and migrating data. The application is great both for professional and personal use.

Website: Paragon Software

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Conclusion

We hope that our review on the top Hard Drive Cloning Software was helpful in selecting the best cloning application. You should consider your needs and budget to select the best cloning software.

Also read =>> Fastest SSD Drives – A comparison

If you want a free app with basic disk cloning and imaging features, then you should consider Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper Standard, and EaseUS Todo Backup. Professional users should try the Clonezilla free, open-source app for disk management.

For advanced disk management, the best products include Paragon Software Hard Disk Manager and MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Further Reading =>> Top 11 Best External Hard Drives

Recommended reading =>> Best Windows Partition Manager Software

Research Process

• Time Taken To Research And Write This Article: 7 hours
• Total Tools Researched Online: 16
• Top Tools Shortlisted For Review: 8

How to Image a Hard Drive Windows Xp

Source: https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/hard-drive-cloning-software/

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