How to check the EFI boot files on a cloned drive

Hi,

I can see why this is confusing.

The cloned HDD does have an EFI partition, but the boot files inside it is still pointing to the original SSD.

That’s why the system keeps booting from Disk 2 even when you change the boot order.

The easiest way to fix this is to rebuild the boot files on Disk 1 so they match its Windows installation.

First, assign a drive letter to the EFI partition on Disk 1 using DiskPart, then run bcdboot F:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI in an admin Command Prompt, this copies fresh boot files and updates the BCD store for the HDD.

After that, disconnect the SSD and try booting from the HDD to confirm.

Quick question: do you want to keep both drives connected for dual boot, or is the goal to completely replace the SSD?

Regards, Aron

Thanks Aron, very helpful.

I tried unsuccessfully with diskpart, but I used a partition manager and was easily able to identify the necessatry partition (disk 1 EFI) and assign a letter (T);

then in Admin cmd bcdboot F:\Windows /s T: /f UEFI

..

boot files successfully created

but it still wont boot. I'll try again

This time I get "Failure when attempting to copy boot files". (yes in cmd as admin)