Cloning Drives
If you need to replace a storage device with a new one, cloning (duplicating) is recommended. This method combines backup and restoration in one step. Cloning can be file-based or forensic. In file-based cloning, all recognized data is transferred to the target. This method is usually sufficient for most cases.
If the disk to be cloned contains a file system that is not supported by O&O DiskImage, or if you wish to perform data recovery, forensic cloning is recommended. This method transfers every sector from the source to the target, which can be time-consuming and computationally intensive.
Cloning allows for the creation of copies of complete disks or individual drives, which can then be used instead of the originals. This function enables you to copy a disk or partitions with all the data stored on them without generating backup files. The original drives or source drives remain unchanged, preserving their current state.
Please note that cloning a drive requires significantly more storage space than a backup. Unlike a backup, a clone cannot be used to perform incremental or differential follow-up copies to reduce data volume. Furthermore, unlike backups, a clone cannot be compressed or encrypted.
