Best way to clone a HDD?

[Filip480]

I'll be getting a new drive soon and I want to move all my files from my old drive to my new one. Majority of my data consists of games and programs (not OS), so I want to know if simply copy and paste will do the job, because I'm worried that some games or programs could display errors if I do that.
My plan was to copy all the data, unplug the old drive because I won't need it and then change the drive letter of the new one to the old one. So I want to know if my plan will work or if there is any program that will simplify this process. I looked up some but they usually cost money or are bootable OS's which I don't need.

 

[USAFRet]

Assuming this is your C drive, copy paste will not work. Ever.

Clone like this:
-----------------------------
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
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 original boot partitions, 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
-----------------------------

If this is a secondary drive, then you can indeed copy/paste.
Don't copy the whole thing at once, and swap the drive letters around after.

 

[Filip480]

Assuming this is your C drive, copy paste will not work. Ever.

Clone like this:
-----------------------------
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
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 original boot partitions, 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
-----------------------------

If this is a secondary drive, then you can indeed copy/paste.
Don't copy the whole thing at once, and swap the drive letters around after.

This is my secondary drive that's why I was asking if I could just copy and paste without any damage to programs there

 

[The Paladin]

rather simple get a WD drive, then download the clone app, plug drive in , power pc on, install app, clone drive from old to new, shut computer down disconnect sata cable to old drive, reboot. enjoy...

 

[USAFRet]

This is my secondary drive that's why I was asking if I could just copy and paste without any damage to programs there

Either way works.
Clone with the above free application, or copy/paste.