Hard Disk Cloning Utilities

22 August 2009 1 views No Comment

I have mentioned about backing up before(here and here) and how important it is. Cloning is another method of backing up your entire disk or partitions. There are many other purposes for cloning like enterprises deploying computers to their entire workforce with specific applications and tweaks, etc..

What is cloning?

Cloning is exactly what it says. Making an exact copy of the original. These softwares make exact copy of the entire drive or partition sector by sector.

If you are replacing a drive to a higher capacity drive, this can be used to clone it over to the new drive. Or just to backup as a compressed image file to an external hard disk for restoration in time of emergency.

Recommendation

There are paid software’s like Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost. If you don’t mind spending, I will recommend Acronis. I have used Acronis before and feel it is the best cloning software available.

Free Software

Why pay when you can do the same for free?

DriveImage XML – Easy to use and intuitive application. It works great on Windows XP and VIsta. I have not tested it on Windows 7. It makes use of Microsoft’s Volume Shadow Copy service to make an entire copy of the system.

Clonezilla – This application is open-source and is based on Linux. You will need to boot from a CD/DVD or USB in order to get to its GUI and access its options. Looks scary but it is one of the best cross-platform cloning softwares available. It reads and copies practically all filesystems there is.

Alternate in WIndows

If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, you can use the Backup function provided. Backing up of the entire system, which includes the OS and programs is only provided in Windows Vista Business, Ultimate and Enterprise editions and Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate editions.

Go to your Control Panel and Click System and Security followed by Backup and Restore. Instructions are clear and simple to follow.

Concluding

I will highly recommend DriveImage and Clonezilla anytime. I personally prefer Clonezilla.

Before you do some cloning, I suggest doing some housekeeping to delete unnecessary clutter which could slow down your entire process of cloning. You may use applications like CCleaner or any other to clean temp files and other system garbages.

I will soon be reviewing Clonezilla and walk you through the options. Look out for it.

Do you use any particular cloning software and what do you recommend?