I used Rescuezilla to clone my old 1TB SSD onto a new 2TB SSD after following an online guide. However, the boot menu does not recognize the 2TB drive, and when I start the computer, it still boots from the original 1TB SSD. I'm not sure whether the cloning process failed, the drive is connected incorrectly, or the boot order needs to be changed. I currently use Linux Mint and want to set up a dual-boot system with Windows 11 on the 1TB SSD while using the 2TB SSD for my main files. I only have these two SSDs and no optical drive, so I'd appreciate beginner-friendly advice on checking the installation and making the new drive bootable.
2 Answers
Since you want Windows 11 and Linux Mint, cloning may not be the best first step unless you are deliberately copying an existing installation. A simpler setup is to back up your files, install Windows on the 1TB drive, then install Mint on the 2TB drive or partition the drives as needed. The installer should create the EFI boot entries and a boot menu automatically. Either way, install with the other SSD temporarily disconnected so the boot files do not end up on the wrong disk. After both systems work independently, reconnect the second drive and configure the UEFI boot order or boot menu.
Cloning copies the data; it does not erase or automatically switch the computer over to the new drive. First, confirm that the 2TB SSD appears in the firmware/UEFI storage list and that its cables or M.2 connection are secure. In Rescuezilla, make sure you cloned the entire source disk, not just the main operating-system partition. That should include the EFI boot partition, any reserved partitions, the main system partition, and the recovery partition. After cloning, shut the computer down completely, disconnect the 1TB SSD, and boot with only the 2TB connected. This prevents the firmware from using the old drive’s boot files and makes it clear whether the clone works. If it still is not bootable, use a Windows or Linux installer USB to repair or reinstall the bootloader. Once it boots successfully, reconnect the 1TB and select the desired drive in the UEFI boot order. You can then resize the main partition to use the extra space on the 2TB drive, leaving the EFI and recovery partitions in place.
The original drive still containing all its files is normal—that is what cloning does. Don’t wipe it until the new drive has booted successfully on its own and you’ve confirmed your important data is present.
Before changing partitions, check Disk Management in Windows or the Disks utility in Mint to see whether the 2TB drive is detected and whether its partitions actually exist. If the firmware cannot see the drive at all, resizing or repairing the clone will not help until the hardware connection is fixed.