[SOLVED] Clone only C drive to new SSD

[newhappyrabbit3]

Hello guys! I'm about to buy my first SSD (Samsung 860 Evo 500GB) and I've searched through the internet for a way to transfer my OS to the SSD before I get it. I've found a few free trial programs (EaseUS Partition Master, EaseUS Todo Backup, AOMEI Partition Assistant and also the free Samsung Data Migration) that will do the job. But all of them want to transfer my whole HDD (C and E drive included) to the new SSD but I don't want that. Both the EaseUS software apps have an option to transfer only one drive, for example I can transfer only C drive, but I'm not sure if I have to also transfer the recover and boot drives that Windows creates automatically. Can I transfer only C, then only the recovery drive and then only the boot drive (also it says I have some 99 MB's FAT32 drive that doesn't show up in my Disk Managment, probably some Windows thingy)? What should I do? Posting a photo of what drives I currently have (drive E is for all my apps and games, but I still have some apps that don't ask me where to install on the C drive).

 

[Flashgo1]

best way is to back up the HDD to an external of some sort.
make recovery media on a large 16ish gb thumb drive.

then start new on ssd. will have much fewer issues in long run.

 

[USAFRet]

This can be done.
My tool of choice is either Macrium Reflect or Samsung Data Migration (if a Samsung drive as the target).

In Macrium, it goes mostly as regular, except you simply deselect the E partition.
Migrate everything else.

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Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
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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 (here is where you deviate...select ALL except the E partition)
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.

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
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[newhappyrabbit3]

best way is to back up the HDD to an external of some sort.
make recovery media on a large 16ish gb thumb drive.

then start new on ssd. will have much fewer issues in long run.

I don't have any other HDD to backup the first one. I have a 64GB flash drive, but what exactly is the recovery media for and why would I need it if I'm making a fresh install?

This can be done.
My tool of choice is either Macrium Reflect or Samsung Data Migration (if a Samsung drive as the target).

In Macrium, it goes mostly as regular, except you simply deselect the E partition.
Migrate everything else.

Thanks for suggesting this program, I will try it out when the SSD comes. I will keep my current HDD in the PC to store my games and I hope cloning the OS doesn't make me reinstall them because of some error in the registry. Also when should I format the C drive to gain back the space? Should I wait a week or two after the cloning?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks for suggesting this program, I will try it out when the SSD comes. I will keep my current HDD in the PC to store my games and I hope cloning the OS doesn't make me reinstall them because of some error in the registry. Also when should I format the C drive to gain back the space? Should I wait a week or two after the cloning?

At the end of the clone process, the FIRST thing you must do is:
Power OFF
Disconnect all except the new "C drive".
Power up, and verify it actually boots properly.

Physical disconnection of the old drive.

After a few days, then consider deleting the old C partition (which will now have a different drive letter)

 

[newhappyrabbit3]

At the end of the clone process, the FIRST thing you must do is:
Power OFF
Disconnect all except the new "C drive".
Power up, and verify it actually boots properly.

Physical disconnection of the old drive.

After a few days, then consider deleting the old C partition (which will now have a different drive letter)

Ok thanks for the info! I'll post and update after a couple of days if anything goes wrong or if it's all good!

 

[popatim]

I would actually clone E: over as well and then when everything checks out ok, clone E: back to the old drive, erasing all the existing partitions and expanding E: to fill the old drive.

Otherwise you will need partition software to make the old drive one big E: drive.

You sure you don't know anyone with an extra drive or external you could back things up to?