Any free SSD migration tools that work with new PC with Windows 8?

[pdxman1]

I got a new Dell XPS 8700 and want to use an SSD in it for Windows 8. I would prefer to clean install, but Dell doesn't provide OS disks and the recovery disks I can make won't recover to the SSD.

I don't have any migration software, so I tried AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition. It claims to migrate to SSD, but I get an error "Sorry, the program does not support to migrate OS on a GPT disk to SSD or HDD."

Is there any other free migration SW that might work?

 

[geofelt]

I think both Intel and Samsung offer tailored clone software that should do the job if you are converting to their ssd.
Intel is called ssd migration tool, and Samsung is called magician.
They are modified versions of acronis true image clone utility.

You will be very pleased with a ssd in a laptop. It absolutely transforms the performance.

 

[pdxman1]

I think both Intel and Samsung offer tailored clone software that should do the job if you are converting to their ssd.
Intel is called ssd migration tool, and Samsung is called magician.
They are modified versions of acronis true image clone utility.

You will be very pleased with a ssd in a laptop. It absolutely transforms the performance.

I have a Kingston SSD. It didn't come with cloning software and I can't find any searching around. I think some of their drive kits are sold with it, but I didn't buy one of those, not needing it when I was using it on a Windows 7 system.

 

[pdxman1]

I did some more searching and found an answer myself. FarStone DriveClone 10 is free for home use and does SSD migration. They don't really explain it very well, but it ended up being pretty much a one button migration that set up both a system partition and an OS partition and even somehow set up the booting to boot from the SSD (even though after cloning, it said I would need to modify the boot settings).

 

[cat1092]

With Macrium Reflect (Free version) I was able to go from a 1TB HDD to a 128GB SSD. This is assuming that the install is not overloaded with junk, to save even more space, disable hibernation. Be sure to run Disk Cleanup to delete temporary files & also use the option to delete restore points.

It's possible that the recovery partition won't clone to the SSD using this method, so before doing anything, create your recovery DVD's and/or Flash drive recovery set (a 16GB Flash drive will be needed).

Too, it's good to create a Recovery drive, that will have the Repair option & it will also offer to copy the Recovery partition if desired. Again, this will require a 16GB Flash drive. I have all options made, DVD & Flash drive recovery sets, plus a Recovery drive.

Finally, download Macrium Reflect Free & install it. The option to create WinPE rescue/backup media will be offered, do so. The Macrium app will try to download the necessary files (over 300MB) from MS for WinPE, I tried 3 times & it failed at 60%, so I downloaded the ADK pack from MS & was then able to create WinPE media with Macrium (it still had to fetch a 6MB file).

Prior to doing anything as to cloning & this will also test to see if your WinPE media is working, be sure to image the current install.

Then there is the option to clone, simply place your SSD in a docking station, or connect it with a cable via USB, select all of the partitions preceding the OS partition, then the OS partition itself (this is drag-n-drop) & if possible/desired, the recovery partition itself). Note that on some models, the Recovery partition is the 1st one, though I don't know if this is true of UEFI/GPT disks.

After clone, shut down the computer, unplug the original HDD cable from the SATA port it's in & plug the SSD to this port. Move the original to another port, or better yet, if there's an extra HDD around, use it for Data. You may wish to preserve your current HDD for warranty purposes.

Reboot the computer, it should fire right up. Mine did & I didn't even have to reboot the PC.

If all is OK, image the SSD ASAP, it can be done with the built in backup, or with Macrium. If Macrium was good enough for cloning, it's certainly good enough for a backup utility. Plus, it's 100% Free.

This was performed on a Dell XPS 8700 w/Windows 8, UEFI.

Cat