Complete bootable clone of C: OS and data.

[rjmalm]

Interested in doing a full bootable clone of my C: SSD with FreeFileSync I am upgrading my old SSD and then would reclone back to my new SSD (C:)

I have been usning FreeFileSync for backup but have never tried to create a BOOTable backup of C:
Can this be done?

I would these items would insure this might work better :chkdsk /F /R, Checkpoint, PC Manager clean, powercfg -h off, HiberbootEnabled = 0 Disabled System Restore on C:, Deleted all existing shadow copies, Removed System Restore config registry key, Quiesce services with Stop-Service that cause churn like Windows Update, BITS, SysMain, Search and of course clean FreeFileSync filter.

Any advice?

[xCSxXenon]

No. You are going to run into tons of permissions and access issues. Use a tool made for cloning, not for syncing data. There's also a boot partition that lives outside the C: volume, which is required to boot Windows. You'd have to rebuild it manually if you simply used FFS to "clone" your OS. And if you can figure that out, you can figure out that there are better ways to clone/backup an OS to a bootable state.

MiniTool Partition Wizard might be a good place to start. I used to use it because the free version let you clone from OS you were running. It would boot into its own environment, clone the drive, and then reboot back to Windows. Remove/wipe the original drive and usually you're good to go. I don't know if it still works since I maintain images using WinPE instead now, but I've used it with great success previously.

There are also tons of guides online for doing this. Clonezilla is a popular option. I think most guides are going to lead you into booting into a live OS from a USB drive.

[rjmalm]

Thanks so much for the ack. I have used AOMEI Partition Assistant and was just hoping for a nice simple less expensive tool like FreeFileSync for 2nd PC. AOMEI Partition Assistant did not required me to build a USB drive to boot from and run it. It was fussy about doing all the pre clone items I listed.
I will bookmark your suggestions. Have not clue on rebuilding FSS copy into a bootable state so I will give up on that idea. Thanks again.

[John1234]

Hi,

You can still download and use the free version of macrium reflect. That is what I use to image my computer daily.

https://m.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html

[rjmalm]

Thanks for the link