Cloning HDD to SSD

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stratocaster3

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Apr 16, 2015
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Hi guys,

I'd like to clone my 1tb HDD to a 500gb Samsung EVO 850 SSD. Obviously this is smaller than the HDD, so how exactly would the transfer of data work if there is a C: and D: drive on the HDD? Here's what it looks like below:

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/866x487q90/r/540/UkR2nb.jpg

Would it simply add a C: and D: drive onto the SSD of equal proportions? Would I encounter any problems if I use the Samsung Data Migration software? Essentially I just want everything on the HDD on my SSD.

Thanks, any help will be appreciated :)
 
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Welcome to the community, stratocaster3!

You can use a third-party cloning software to do that as well. I personally use Acronis True Image for cloning because it gives you the option to select what to clone on the SSD and leave out whatever you find irrelevant for the OS drive. Here is a link with some other software suggestions as well: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1848564/hdd-cloning-software.html
However, it's strongly recommended to back up the entire drive off-site (e.g. on an external HDD) before proceeding with the hardware swap & cloning. If you have the Windows installation disk, I'd advise you to perform a clean install on the SSD even, because it is highly recommended to start fresh with a new OS drive.
Here are a couple of links that might help you with the steps to completing the whole migration process:
http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows
http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

Let me know if you have any additional questions! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
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As best I can determine from the graphic of DM you posted, the total data contents on your 1 TB HDD is well under 300 GB. Does that sound about right?

If so, since the total contents of the HDD are considerably less than the disk-capacity of your 500 GB Samsung SSD, you should have no problem cloning the contents of the HDD over to the SSD.

It's assumed that your HDD is properly functioning in that it boots without incident and functions without any problems.

That being the case you use the Samsung Data Migration program that was bundled with your Samsung SSD. It's very easy to use & quite reliable. Here's some step-by-step instructions...

(Before you begin ensure that the only drives that are connected in the system are the source & destination drives, i.e., your HDD & SSD. Uninstall any other storage devices such as a flash drive, USB external HDD, etc.)

1. With both your HDD & SSD connected boot the system. The system will, of course, boot to the HDD's Win 7 OS.

2. Install the Samsung Data Migration program on the HDD.

3. Access the program and click Start.

4. The Source Disk (your HDD) and the Target Disk (your SSD) will be identified.

5. Click Start.

6. Click Yes when the confirmation message appears.

7. The disk-cloning process will begin. It can be a lengthy process depending upon the amount of data that's being cloned.

8. When the cloning process has successfully completed a message will appear to that effect.

9. Click Quit, then Shut Down.

10. After the system has been shut down disconnect the HDD from the system and boot to the SSD. Assuming all is well ensure that your new SSD boot drive is connected to the first SATA connector on the motherboard which will be designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1. The HDD can now be connected to any following SATA connector.

11. One last thing...ensure that the SSD is functioning properly without any problems before you modify your HDD in any way. So work with the SSD for a reasonable period to ensure this.

BTW, is there a reason why the HDD is multi-partitioned? It seems that D: partition contains a rather trivial amount of data. Is it necessary to have that partition rather than incorporating all your data on the C: partition? There's no problem involved insofar as the disk-cloning program goes - the program will create both partitions without any problem but I was just wondering why you needed that 2nd partition.
 
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Thanks for the reply,

Firstly, this laptop (Asus N550JK) is only a week old and so I have only installed office, a few programs and a some documents/photos. This was how the laptop came - with a C: and D: drive - is this normal? It doesn't bother me to much as long as I can access all the space.

When the data migration software asks me to choose a source disk, am I choosing the C: or the whole HDD? And how would my SSD then look after the data migration, would it have a C: and D: drive like the HDD or would it be different? Essentially I just want everything that's on the HDD on the SSD.

Thanks very much :)
 
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On the opening screen (following Start), all the partitions on the Source disk will be reflected. The boot partition (C:) will automatically be selected as the Source disk to clone.

If you want to clone another partition on the source disk, e.g., your second partition, just click on its graphic in the Source Disk area.

In the Target disk area a drop-down arrow box will reflect all the partitions on the source disk that you have chosen to clone. By clicking on the graphic's double-headed arrow you can slide the partition bar back & forth to resize the partition. I would assume you would want to considerably shrink that second partition since there's such a small amount of data contained on that partition (unless you have future plans for utilizing the excess diskspace). The C: partition will automatically be resized at the same time you resize the secondary partition(s). Click Start to continue.
 
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Thanks for the answer! I tried that and it cloned successfully the other day. However when I booted up windows it didn't detect that the SSD was my primary drive. I even went into the BIOS and changed the SSD to be my primary drive and my HDD as my secondary drive. I had to restart windows so it booted from my HDD and then put my ssd back to normal.
 
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You really need to remove the HDD right after the clone operation.

If the HDD still contains the OS as it was, try it again, these steps:
-----------------------------
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
-----------------------------
 
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Would this work?

1) Clone HDD to external hard drive

2) Turn off PC and unplug HDD+external drive

3) Restart PC with SSD switched to primary boot drive from BIOS

4) connect external drive as boot media

5) Dump clone of HDD onto SSD

6) Unplug external drive, reconnect HDD, and restart PC

7) Wipe HDD and use PC with SSD as primary drive

Would that work or should I do a fresh install of Windows onto my SSD, copy my clone over to the SSD and then reconnect my hdd?

Many thanks in advance!!
 
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This fails at step 4.

Just clone direct from HDD to SSD, per my steps above.
 
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