Guidelines for Ghosting Windows from Hard Drive, covering Win 11, 10, 8, 7

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I. Ghosting Windows from HDD, No Disk, No USB Needed

1. Prepare the Ghost file

2. Prepare Support Software

3. Steps to Ghost Windows

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Instead of reinstalling the Windows operating system, users often resort to Ghost Windows to save time. Currently, Ghost Windows 10, 11, 8, or Win 7 is widely popular, and users can Ghost Windows in various ways such as USB ghosting, disk ghosting, or as described in this article, ghosting Windows directly from the hard drive.

If you find yourself short on time to install Windows 10, 8, 7, or even the latest Windows 11 operating system, opting for Ghost Windows (a Windows copy) is a practical solution. Especially since you can Ghost Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7 directly from the hard drive without the need for USBs or other devices, making it much more convenient and faster than the traditional Windows installation method.

Guide to Ghosting Windows from Hard Drive, No Disk Needed

In the following article, Mytour will guide you on how to ghost Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 directly from the HDD with ultra-lightweight and user-friendly software. Follow along right below with our detailed instructions.

I. Ghosting Windows from HDD, No Disk, No USB Needed

1. Prepare the Ghost file

For Windows 11:
=> Download link for Ghost Win 11 Pro 64bit

Windows 10:
=> Download link for Ghost Win 10 Pro 64bit
=> Download link for Ghost Win 10 Pro 32bit

Windows 8:
=> Download link for Ghost Win 8 Pro 64bit
=> Download link for Ghost Win 8 Pro 32bit

Windows 7:
=> Download link for Ghost Win 7 64bit
=> Download link for Ghost Win 7 32bit

Windows XP:
=> Download link for Ghost Win XP SP3

2. Prepare Support Software

- Download USBHDDBOOT - software to create boot quickly on Windows.

Step 1: After downloading USBHDDBOOT to your computer, run the installation file. The software interface will appear with 2 options.
Click on Create BOOT MENU for Windows to directly ghost Windows from the hard drive.

Step 2: Then a notification window will appear to start the installation process. This process happens quite quickly so you just need to click Start.

A completion notification will appear, press the OK button to proceed to the next step.

3. Steps to Ghost Windows

Step 1: Simply Restart your computer.

Step 2: When restarting your computer, an additional Windows option named USB-HDD BOOT that we just installed will appear. Click on it to proceed with Ghosting Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7 from the hard drive.

Step 3: On the software interface, select Auto Ghost 11.5 Boot to proceed.

Step 4: Another DOS interface will appear, press number 1. The system will automatically switch you to the GHOST software interface.

Step 5: The familiar interface of Ghost software will appear, press OK to start using.

Step 6: To Ghost Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7 from the hard drive, right-click on the screen, select Local >Partition >From Image.

Note: If the system fails to recognize the mouse, you can utilize the directional keys for navigation. Press Tab key to switch tables and press Enter to select.

Step 7: Choose the hard drive containing the Ghost file you previously downloaded to the machine.

Note: Do not leave the ghost file in the drive you intend to ghost the machine again.

Step 8: Navigate to the directory containing the Ghost file and then click Open to proceed.

Step 9: The system prompts you to select a hard drive, this step is straightforward, simply press OK.

Step 10: Finally, select the partition you want to Ghost Windows back to, typically drive C (which is the second drive in the list), click on it and confirm OK.

Step 11: Another notification pops up warning you that this action will erase all old data on the drive being Ghosted, press Yes to proceed.

The duration of this process varies depending on the size of the ghost file. At this point, all you have to do is wait.

Step 12: When you receive the Clone completed successfully notification, click on Reset Computer to allow the Windows installation process through the Ghost file to continue.

II. Common Errors Encountered During GHOST

1. Loss of partitions after Ghosting, only the partition containing Windows remains
The cause may be selecting the wrong partition during Ghosting or encountering an error that hides other partitions.
- Case of selecting the wrong partition: Repartition the hard drive and Ghost again from scratch.
- Case of hidden partitions: Use a rescue disk or USB to access Mini Windows to enable display.

2. After Ghosting, only some partitions A, B,... remain, while partitions C, D, E (HDD) are missing
This error usually occurs due to hardware malfunctions. First, check if the connection cable is securely attached, if the hard drive is functioning, or if the BIOS recognizes the hard drive. If not, you may need to purchase a new hard drive.

3. Disk, USB boot error due to incompatibility

During the Ghost process, if you encounter messages such as 'Boot files not found', 'Loading failed', or 'A:GHOSTERR.TXT', it indicates hardware incompatibility or a scratched Ghost disk unable to read data. To resolve this, create a new disk or USB boot drive.

4. Unable to locate Ghost file
- Check if the Ghost file has the correct extension *.GHO.
- Verify if the folder containing the Ghost file contains Vietnamese characters.
- Check if the Ghost file is hidden.
If the Ghost file is hidden, open Windows Explorer (shortcut Windows + E), select the View tab, and uncheck Hidden items.

5. Ghost encounters error halfway through execution
Typically, a halfway error during Ghosting is due to insufficient or aging RAM. Sometimes, even after successful Ghosting, users experience frequent blue screen crashes while using Windows. Users can try replacing or adding more RAM to the device.

6. Blurry Ghost partition, unable to Ghost
This error is quite rare and mostly occurs when you haven't partitioned or activated a new hard drive. To resolve this, simply use a Partition Boot USB and set the hard drive as active.

7. After Ghosting, screen goes black with only a blinking cursor
This Ghost error is quite severe, largely due to MBR loss. You need to use a CD or USB Boot disk to reload the MBR for the device.

Ghosting Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7 from an HDD will quickly give you a new operating system without needing any external devices like disks or USBs. Let's explore the incredibly convenient Windows Ghosting method in the article below with Mytour.

III. Can SSDs be Ghosted?

Regarding the question of whether SSDs can be Ghosted, Mytour answers: SSD drives can absolutely be Ghosted just like HDD drives. However, due to different operating principles, users should limit Ghosting on this type of hard drive. Additionally, when Ghosting on an SSD, you need to disable the TRIM command to avoid errors, refer to the article How to Use the Trim Command on Windows.

So we have completed Ghosting Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 from the hard drive without the need for USBs or any peripheral devices, it's really simple and easy, isn't it?

Thus, we have finished guiding you on how to Ghost Windows from the hard drive without using disks. You can also refer to some other methods of Ghosting Windows using different approaches: Ghosting Windows from USB using HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool or Ghosting Windows using software... Additionally, if you don't want bulky boot disks, you can create a bootable USB for easier portability. Creating a bootable USB is quite simple, you can do it yourself.

Các câu hỏi thường gặp

What are the key advantages of using Ghost Windows instead of a fresh installation?

Using Ghost Windows saves significant time and effort compared to a fresh installation. It allows users to quickly restore their operating system along with all settings and applications, providing a seamless transition without the need for additional installations or configurations.

How can users prepare to ghost Windows from their hard drive without external devices?

To ghost Windows from a hard drive, users must first download the appropriate Ghost file for their Windows version. Then, they should install the USBHDDBOOT software to create a boot menu for direct ghosting from the hard drive, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

What common errors might users encounter when ghosting Windows, and how can they resolve them?

Common errors during ghosting include lost partitions, hardware malfunctions, and boot errors. To resolve these issues, users should verify connections, check the Ghost file's integrity, or recreate boot drives, ensuring all components are functioning properly before attempting to ghost again.

Is it possible to ghost SSDs, and what precautions should be taken?

Yes, SSDs can be ghosted, but users should limit this practice due to different operating principles. It's crucial to disable the TRIM command to prevent potential errors during the ghosting process, ensuring a smooth and effective transition.

What steps should be followed to initiate the ghosting process from the hard drive?

To begin ghosting, restart the computer and select the USB-HDD BOOT option. Follow the prompts to choose the appropriate ghosting options on the software interface, select the desired Ghost file, and confirm the partition to ghost Windows back to, typically the C drive.

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