3 Simple Ways to Copy Contents of One Hard Drive to a New Hard Drive

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Learn how to copy one hard drive to another
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This wikiHow teaches you how to copy everything that's on your computer's hard drive onto a separate external or internal hard drive. You can do this by using either Todo for Windows or the built-in Disk Utility on Mac.

Things You Should Know

  • You should back up your hard drive in case the transfer is unsuccessful, so you have something to use instead of losing everything.
  • If you're using Windows, there is free software out there that will help you copy one drive to another.
  • If you're using a Mac, use the built-in Disk Utility program.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Preparing to Copy

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    Your new hard drive must be larger than the space that's currently occupied on the hard drive that you want to copy. If you're creating a clone of your hard drive, the new hard drive must be at least the same size. There are two types of hard drives to which you can copy your old hard drive's contents:
    • Internal - A hard drive that sits inside of your computer's housing.
    • External - A hard drive that connects to your computer via a USB cable. Most external hard drives will work on any computer, though in some cases you must format the hard drive before using it.
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    If you're copying your hard drive's contents onto another internal drive, you'll need a USB adapter so that you can attach the new hard drive to your computer.
    • There are two types of hard drive connections: SATA, which has a narrow cable attaching the connector to the drive, and IDE, which has a several-inch-wide cable attaching the connector to the drive.
    • You can buy SATA-to-USB and IDE-to-USB adapters online or in tech department stores such as Best Buy.
    • If you're using a Mac, make sure that you get a USB-C to SATA/IDE adapter rather than a USB 3.0 version, as Macs no longer have USB 3.0 ports.
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    Many PCs and Macs have SATA hard drives installed. The process involves removing the SATA drive and connecting it to another system using a SATA-to-USB adapter. You can easily copy your data to a new system through a file manager or, with Macs, through Migration Assistant.

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    Back up your computer . Creating a backup on a separate drive is optional, but recommended in case something goes wrong during the copying.
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    Plug the hard drive's USB cable into the computer's USB slot. If you're using an internal hard drive with an adapter, make sure that the hard drive is firmly connected to the adapter as well.
    • If you're using an external hard drive on a Mac, you may need to format the drive before you can store your hard drive's contents on it.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Copying on Windows

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    Go to https://www.easeus.com/backup-software/tb-free.html in your browser.
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    It's a dark-blue button in the middle of the page.
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    Do so below the "Free" heading. A pop-up window will appear.
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    You'll do this in the pop-up window.
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    It's at the top of the window. The EaseUS Todo setup file will begin downloading to your computer.
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    Double-click the Todo setup file, then do the following:
    • Click Yes when prompted.
    • Select a language and click OK
    • Click Next
    • Click Accept
    • Click Next
    • Uncheck the "Join in the Customer Experience Improvement program" box and click Next
    • Click Next
    • Uncheck the "McAfee" box and click Next
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    This will complete the installation and launch Todo.
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    It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.
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    You'll find this at the top of the window.
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    It's in the upper-left corner of the window.
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    This is in the bottom-right corner of the window.
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    Scroll down and check the "Hard disk" box near the bottom of the window. This should be your attached hard drive.
    • If your new hard drive is a solid state drive (SSD), click Advanced options in the bottom-left corner and then click Optimize for SSD in the pop-up menu before proceeding.
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    It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.
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    Doing so will prompt Todo to begin copying your hard drive's contents onto the attached hard drive.
  16. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-20.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This can take several hours to complete. Once the process finishes, Todo will notify you.
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    Click the flash drive-shaped icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen and click Eject in the pop-up menu, then physically detach the drive from your computer when Windows tells you that it's safe to do so.
    • You may first have to click ^ in the bottom-right corner of the screen to view the flash drive icon.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Copying on Mac

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    Click the Apple menu
    Mac Apple
    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/f\/ff\/Macapple1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Macapple1.png\/29px-Macapple1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":476,"bigWidth":29,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Mac icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    , click Restart... , and click Restart Now when prompted.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-23.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-23.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-23.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-23.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Do so immediately after your Mac begins to restart.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-24.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-24.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-24.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-24.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You should keep holding down the keys during this time.
    • You may also see a spinning globe appear here.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-25.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-25.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-25.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-25.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    As soon as you see the spinning globe or Earth icon, release the keys. You should now be at the recovery screen.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-26.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-26.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-26.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-26.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's a grey hard drive icon in the window.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-27.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-27.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-27.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-27.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-28.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-28.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-28.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-28.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the attached hard drive's name in the top-left side of the page.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-29.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-29.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-29.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-29.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This menu item is at the top of the Mac's screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-30.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-30.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-30.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-30.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the top of the drop-down menu.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-31.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-31.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-31.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-31.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll find this in the middle of the window.
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-32.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-32.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-32.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-32.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the drop-down menu.
  12. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-33.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-33.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-33.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-33.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This blue button is in the bottom-right corner of the window. Clicking it prompts your hard drive to begin backing up to the external hard drive. This can take several hours to complete.
    • If you get a "Restoration Failed" error, turn off FileVault and try again.
  13. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-34.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-34.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-34.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-34.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Your original hard drive is now backed up to the new hard drive.
  14. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-35.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-35.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-35.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-35.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the red circle in the top-left corner of the window.
  15. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-36.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-36.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-36.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-36.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's on the left side of the window.
  16. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-37.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-37.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-37.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-37.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Doing so will restart your computer.
  17. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-38.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-38.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-38.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-38.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  18. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-39.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-39.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-39.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-39.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's near the top of the Apple drop-down menu.
  19. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-40.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-40.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-40.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-40.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This grey hard drive icon is in the middle of the System Preferences window.
  20. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-41.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-41.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-41.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-41.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner of the window, then enter your account password when prompted.
  21. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-42.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-42.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-42.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-42.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the yellow attached hard drive's icon at the top of the window.
  22. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-43.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-43.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-43.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-43.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's on the right side of the window.
  23. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-44.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-44.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-44.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-44.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Doing so will reboot your Mac from the new hard drive, which will ensure that the hard drive is used as a bootable drive on any other Mac.
  24. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-45.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-45.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-45.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-45.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This can take several minutes.
  25. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-46.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-46.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-46.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-46.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To do so:
  26. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-47.jpg\/v4-460px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-47.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-47.jpg\/v4-728px-Copy-Contents-of-One-Hard-Drive-to-a-New-Hard-Drive-Step-47.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Open Finder and click the triangle-shaped "Eject" button to the right of your attached hard drive's name on the left side of the window. When prompted, you can physically detach the drive from your Mac.
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      Tips

      • If you don't want to directly clone your hard drive, you can instead create a disk image . A disk image is a massive file that stores all of the information from your computer, but you can't boot from it the same way that you can boot from a cloned hard drive.
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      Warnings

      • Never disconnect the drive while copying information onto it. Similarly, never disconnect a drive without first ejecting it.
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