Question Data Transfer from old HDD to new HDD

[Alpaaca_]

So I recently discovered that my hard drive is getting a little bit old so I decided to get a new hard drive although I want my OS and all of my files, games and programs on the new hard drive since I'm going to swap out the hard drives. I know there are free data transfer programs out there but I don't know what one to get thats decent and reliable; I don't really want to spend $50+ on something I'll only really use once. Any Ideas?

My current HDD:
TOSHIBA DT01ACA100 1TB
(859 GB Used Space)


My new HDD:
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM008 2TB

 

[USAFRet]

(replace "SSD" with "new HDD" Works exactly the same)

(Free software)

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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
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.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe all partitions on it.
This will probably require the commandline diskpart function, and the clean command.

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
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