[SOLVED] Cloning to an SSD

[Guru X]

Hi there!
I just bought a new SSD and i wanted to clone my entire OS to it.
I read a few forums and saw that there were some softwares to do so,but all of them were paid..
I am kinda broke,so it woukd be a real help if someone suggests a free,reliable software for migrating my OS.
Also can someone guide me through the process?
Thank you again. : )

1 TB HDD
120GB SSD
DH55PJ motherboard
WINDOWS 7
4 GB RAM

 

[Darkbreeze]

How much actual data, used space, is currently on the HDD? If it's more than about 90GB, then you'll need to uninstall some programs, or move some files off the drive onto other temporary storage. Your SSD needs to be about AT LEAST 20-25% larger than the full amount of data you are trying to clone.

You can't just "move the OS". If you're going to clone the drive, you need to clone the full C: partition AND the EFI/Boot partition. If there is a factory restore partition, that does not HAVE to be included, and usually I don't include it, but the C: partition and the hidden boot EFI partition must be included in the clone process. That includes all your installed applications, etc. Just moving "the OS" isn't possible.

Macrium reflect is what you will want to use. It does an excellent job, and is free. But it's useless to you if you have more than 90GB to clone. You'd probably be a lot better off just doing a clean install of Windows, with the HDD disconnected, and then wiping the HDD afterwards and using it for your game and personal files.

Clone procedure:

https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...acrium-reflect-software.3425003/post-20675783

Clean install:

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Guru X]

So , i found out that i have about 80 GB of files in my C partition.
I have downloaded marcrium reflect.
Am i good to go?

 

[Guru X]

How much actual data, used space, is currently on the HDD? If it's more than about 90GB, then you'll need to uninstall some programs, or move some files off the drive onto other temporary storage. Your SSD needs to be about AT LEAST 20-25% larger than the full amount of data you are trying to clone.

You can't just "move the OS". If you're going to clone the drive, you need to clone the full C: partition AND the EFI/Boot partition. If there is a factory restore partition, that does not HAVE to be included, and usually I don't include it, but the C: partition and the hidden boot EFI partition must be included in the clone process. That includes all your installed applications, etc. Just moving "the OS" isn't possible.

Macrium reflect is what you will want to use. It does an excellent job, and is free. But it's useless to you if you have more than 90GB to clone. You'd probably be a lot better off just doing a clean install of Windows, with the HDD disconnected, and then wiping the HDD afterwards and using it for your game and personal files.

Clone procedure:

https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...acrium-reflect-software.3425003/post-20675783

Clean install:

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

Oh and my frnd kind of has the same prob,
He is trying to shift the OS from a slower HDD to a faster HDD.
According to what he told me ,he has Win7 64 bit GPT,
and he has 3 partitions on the faster one.
One of the Partitions for his games and stuff,and there is an empty 100GB partition for the Windows.
Will the same process apply to him?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yes, same process should apply, but he'll want to NOT include the game partition in the clone process. Another specific step in the process not mentioned on USAFRet's list of steps on that linked page is that once you have all the desired partitions moved to the new SSD in the queue in Macrium reflect, and before you hit the Apply button, it is recommended that you "stretch" the C: partition to take up any remaining space that is available and not shown as taken up or used by any of the included partitions.

Also, do not take any actions on the HDD after the clone procedure until you are SURE that the process has been successful. Once you complete the clone, you will want to disconnect the HDD from the system before you try booting the new cloned drive.