Question Can I Clone from Two HDDs to an M.2 NVMe?

[mikelionhart]

Hello, I am upgrading to a 1TB NVMe SSD and bought a special enclosure device to clone to it from my HDD. However, when I opened up the computer It looks like the previous owner installed a second HDD - it just says 1TB Seagate (Disk 0 in the image below). I pulled up Disk Management and it says my OS is intalled onto the Seagate HDD, but my boot drive is the main HDD (Disk 1 in the image below). Will I be able to clone like this? Do I need to clone from both drives? I was told by the previous owner that the extra HDD (the Seagate - Disk 0) does not need to be installed, and removing it won't hurt anything. I simply don't understand that - wouldn't I lose my operating system if I removed it? Thanks for any tips you can give me.

 

[USAFRet]

You bought this used?

If so, your very first procedure should have been a full wipe and reinstall.
The OS drive, then all the others.

This is for your protection, and to clear up what looks to be a very sloppy configuration.

Looking at your Disk Management window, there seems to be very little actual data.


Start over, with a fresh OS install on this new NVMe drive.
Then. reconnect all the others and wipe them of all partitions.

 

[mikelionhart]

You bought this used?

If so, your very first procedure should have been a full wipe and reinstall.
The OS drive, then all the others.

This is for your protection, and to clear up what looks to be a very sloppy configuration.

Looking at your Disk Management window, there seems to be very little actual data.


Start over, with a fresh OS install on this new NVMe drive.
Then. reconnect all the others and wipe them of all partitions.

It's actually my stepdad's former PC, and he's been an IT tech for 30 years, so I'm surprised it's so "sloppy" as you called it. Otherwise, I would have done a wipe, because I'm not THAT much of a noob lol. Just out of curiosity, is cloning possible or not? I just need what's on the main HDD and don't want to lose the OS, which is Windows 11 Pro. Having said that, I'd actually love to do an clean install, but would that mean I have to buy another version of Windows 11 Pro?

 

[USAFRet]

It's actually my stepdad's former PC, and he's been an IT tech for 30 years, so I'm surprised it's so "sloppy" as you called it. Otherwise, I would have done a wipe, because I'm not THAT much of a noob lol. I'm looking for answers that help me do what I'm asking for. Namely, cloning. Is this possible or not? I just need what's on the main HDD and don't want to lose the OS, which is Windows 11 Pro

Test.

Power off
Remove Disk 0.
Power up.

Does it boot properly? (it should)

You know you can create your own Win 11 Pro USB to install from. For free, direct from Microsoft.
You won't "lose" the OS.

 

[USAFRet]

If it boots properly with ONLY Disk 1 connected, then we can go into the possibility of cloning.
( I still wouldn't do it, though)

 

[mikelionhart]

Test.

Power off
Remove Disk 0.
Power up.

Does it boot properly? (it should)

You know you can create your own Win 11 Pro USB to install from. For free, direct from Microsoft.
You won't "lose" the OS.

So you don't need a license number for activation? I would actually love to do a clean install, but what's the best way to get all my programs, setting, and files onto the new drive? I thought the only way to really do that is by cloning.

 

[USAFRet]

So you don't need a license number for activation? I would actually love to do a clean install, but what's the best way to get all my programs, setting, and files onto the new drive? I thought the only way to really do that is by cloning.

Assuming this system has already been licensed, you do not need a new license.

This is no different than if you owned it for the last year, and are just doing a fresh OS install.
You do not need a new license key every time you do a full OS install.


Your stuff....
Your personal data should already be backed up somewhere. This is a normal part of PC operation.
If this is not the case, do this NOW, before any cloning whatnots.

This includes all your password/username combinations. Document this somewhere.

Your programs?
Simply reinstall them after the OS install is done.

One of the things you have to be mindful of with cloning...you are bringing along potentially years worth of old gunk. You, and everyone else who has ever used this system.
While you may trust your stepdad...do you trust everyone he knows?


I've personally seen some things on "used systems" that would make your short and curlies even curlier. Some, from trusted friends and relatives.

 

[USAFRet]

To get WIn 11...

Download Windows 11

 

[mikelionhart]

Assuming this system has already been licensed, you do not need a new license.

This is no different than if you owned it for the last year, and are just doing a fresh OS install.
You do not need a new license key every time you do a full OS install.


Your stuff....
Your personal data should already be backed up somewhere. This is a normal part of PC operation.
If this is not the case, do this NOW, before any cloning whatnots.

This includes all your password/username combinations. Document this somewhere.

Your programs?
Simply reinstall them after the OS install is done.

One of the things you have to be mindful of with cloning...you are bringing along potentially years worth of old gunk. You, and everyone else who has ever used this system.
While you may trust your stepdad...do you trust everyone he knows?


I've personally seen some things on "used systems" that would make your short and curlies even curlier. Some, from trusted friends and relatives.

Ok thank you. This is very helpful and informative. I have my documents and etc backed up on OneDrive and I'll figure something out as far as passwords, etc.

I've been wanting to do a clean install anyway because ever since I upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 I've had problems (like bluetooth doesn't work on half of my devices anymore). I've tried updating drivers, rolling back, and I even reset the PC and still having the problem. Clean install is definitely the way to go.

Is the Windows 11 link for downloading a Windows ISO into a flash drive? I've done that before, but not in years. I could've sworn I ran into some issues the last time I did that.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok thank you. This is very helpful and informative. I have my documents and etc backed up on OneDrive and I'll figure something out as far as passwords, etc.

I've been wanting to do a clean install anyway because ever since I upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 I've had problems (like bluetooth doesn't work on half of my devices anymore). I've tried updating drivers, rolling back, and I even reset the PC and still having the problem. Clean install is definitely the way to go.

Is the Windows 11 link for downloading a Windows ISO into a flash drive? I've done that before, but not in years. I could've sworn I ran into some issues the last time I did that.

You download the MediaCreation tool (an exe).
Run that from an admin account, and it will create the needed stuff on a flash drive. 8GB or larger, with nothing else on it.


Do this install with only the one desired drive connected. Presumably your new NVMe.
Connect the others later, and wipe them out...delete ALL existing partitions and continue with blank drives.

 

[USAFRet]

I've been wanting to do a clean install anyway because ever since I upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 I've had problems (like bluetooth doesn't work on half of my devices anymore)

And cloning would have simply moved those problems to a new drive...😉

 

[mikelionhart]

You download the MediaCreation tool (an exe).
Run that from an admin account, and it will create the needed stuff on a flash drive. 8GB or larger, with nothing else on it.


Do this install with only the one desired drive connected. Presumably your new NVMe.
Connect the others later, and wipe them out...delete ALL existing partitions and continue with blank drives.

Ok. I was hoping I could keep Windows 11 Pro but my stepdad is saying the computer came with Home and he upgraded to pro later. Doesn't this mean I'll lose pro? Isn't it the case that when you use the media creation tool it gives you the operating system the computer came with?

 

[USAFRet]

Ok. I was hoping I could keep Windows 11 Pro but my stepdad is saying the computer came with Home and he upgraded to pro later. Doesn't this mean I'll lose pro? Isn't it the case that when you use the media creation tool it gives you the operating system the computer came with?

How did he change it from Home to Pro?

The MediaCration tool gives you the option for ALL versions.
You pick the correct one you have a valid license for. Assuming a vlidly activated and licensed Win 11 Pro, that one.
NOT the one the system came with.

You'll see the options during the install process.

 

[stonecarver]

I've personally seen some things on "used systems" that would make your short and curlies even curlier.

Boy you said it boss. I had one so bad I gave it back and said Oh I couldn't get it to boot. Nasty and I thought I had seen it all already.