Question Best way to Swap drive (with data on it)

[79]

Hello,

So i have an old HDD on my PC that has a storage purpose (data, documents, music, etc.) and would like to swap it for a new SSD for the same purpose.
However, it's very important that the new drive eventually has the same letter (in my case "E:") and data on it.

What is the best way of doing this? Backuping data from old drive to external drive and then copying to a new drive?
Adding new partition/letter, like "F:" for the new drive, then copying all data from old to new, then disconnecting the old drive and change partition/letter, back to "E:" for new drive?
Something else?

 

[Lafong]

What is the best way of doing this?

Backuping data from old drive to external drive and then copying to a new drive?

Adding new partition/letter, like "F:" for the new drive, then copying all data from old to new, then disconnecting the old drive and change partition/letter, back to "E:" for new drive?

I'd think either of those methods would work.

Second method might be simpler.

Should be able to control the drive letters in Windows Disk Management.

Shouldn't be a problem as long as this stuff is just personal data.

 

[Lutfij]

If you're dealing with a desktop, please mention the current motherboard's make and model and if you have other storage drives hooked to the motherboard in question.

 

[Rodknee]

Macrium reflect is a free tool that will copy your entire drive, i used that then booted to ssd in boot menu and formatted my hhd.