Add SSD to laptop, how to change windows 10 to boot from hdd(originally) to the new ssd?

[zenalas]

So, i decided to upgrade my asus s14 S410UN laptop by adding a new ssd to it. Originally windows 10 (activated) is in the only HDD drive, thus i want to ask how do i change the boot drive to the ssd so that it has Windows 10 and is activated. While still using the HDD to open up other files

 

[jay32267]

First I would clone the HDD to the SSD. Then I would go into the BIOS and set it to boot from the SSD.

 

[USAFRet]

So, i decided to upgrade my asus s14 S410UN laptop by adding a new ssd to it. Originally windows 10 (activated) is in the only HDD drive, thus i want to ask how do i change the boot drive to the ssd so that it has Windows 10 and is activated. While still using the HDD to open up other files

What size is the new SSD?
What make/model is this SSD?
How much actual consumed space is on the current C drive or partition?

 

[zenalas]

250GB
Samsung 970 EVO 250GB
Less than 250 is consumed. (767GB Free out of 930GB)

 

[zenalas]

How do I Clone the HDD to SSD? @jay32267

 

[USAFRet]

250GB
Samsung 970 EVO 250GB
Less than 250 is consumed. (767GB Free out of 930GB)

Can your laptop use an NVMe drive? The 970 EVO?
What specific laptop is it?

 

[jay32267]

Yeah i forgot to ask you about that initially....but being it's less than 250GB....then you can just do a straight clones as mentioned.

 

[jay32267]

To clone...you need cloning software. Right now I'm using Aomei Backupper (free). A lot of people use Macrium.

Basically you will install the SSD....initialize, partition and format it.

Then run the cloning software and clone your current Windows drive over to the SSD.

Then set your BIOS to boot from the SSD.

 

[USAFRet]

To clone...you need cloning software. Right now I'm using Aomei Backupper (free). A lot of people use Macrium.

Basically you will install the SSD....initialize, partition and format it.

Then run the cloning software and clone your current Windows drive over to the SSD.

Then set your BIOS to boot from the SSD.

Almost, but not quite.
You need to physically disconnect the old drive before it attempts to boot up from the new drive.
It makes a difference.

 

[USAFRet]

How do I Clone the HDD to SSD? @jay32267

Assuming your laptop can actually use this 970 EVO...

Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the 450MB Recovery Partition, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
-----------------------------

 

[jay32267]

To clone...you need cloning software. Right now I'm using Aomei Backupper (free). A lot of people use Macrium.

Basically you will install the SSD....initialize, partition and format it.

Then run the cloning software and clone your current Windows drive over to the SSD.

Then set your BIOS to boot from the SSD.

Almost, but not quite.
You need to physically disconnect the old drive before it attempts to boot up from the new drive.
It makes a difference.

Yes...sometimes you need to do this....and I think it is probably wise to do it anyway.

 

[zenalas]

I have yet to buy that SSD but I am considering to

The Laptop is
Notebook S410 Series
Product Series：S410 Series
Product Name：ASUS VivoBook S14 S410UN
Series Number：HBN0GR04V962479

 

[shahab123]

watch this very nice video, worked beautifully for me.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LB9TqfQrsA

 

[ElectrO_90]

The laptop only supports SSD not anything faster than SSD speed, so don't get an Nvme, just get an M2