Direct copy/clone C: and dual boot OS question

[Catalytic]

Dell G3 Laptop, C: is 128GB SSD, D: is 1TB HDD.

I'm getting conflicting answers in regards to whether I can do this. My C: stays full, I do not install anything to it, there's usually something in AppData that fills it up. I don't have time to keep finding the problem, so I want to install a 1TB SSD as C:. I install all programs and save all files I can control to D:

1. Can I just clone my current C: and not have to reinstall anything? Do a direct swap on the drives? (This is where I'm getting conflicting info, last time I did it 15-ish years ago, I had to reinstall all my programs, I'm trying to avoid that. An IT friend says he thinks Norton Ghost used to be able to do it, one of my IT professors said I'm going to have to reinstall Windows on the new drive.)

2. I'm currently in an IT program, and I would love to be able to dual boot this laptop into Win11 and Linux. Assuming I CAN clone and just replace my C: drive, could I make the new 1TB drive with two partitions and clone my current C: to one partition and Linux to the other? (I know next to nothing about dual boot at this point, and the last time I played with Linux was probably 20 years ago.

I've ordered a 1TB SSD and a USB>SATA, I don't think I have room for two SSDs, though I guess I could take my D: out and put the 1TB in the laptop to clone.

 

[USAFRet]

Clone the 128GB C drive to what, exactly?

(forget Norton, there are better tools)

 

[Catalytic]

Clone the 128GB C drive to what, exactly?

(forget Norton, there are better tools)

I have a 1TB SSD on the way to replace the current 128GB C: drive. I'd like to clone C: to the new SSD, and if possible set up for dual boot to Linux, as well.

 

[USAFRet]

I have a 1TB SSD on the way to replace the current 128GB C: drive. I'd like to clone C: to the new SSD, and if possible set up for dual boot to Linux, as well.

Yes, you can clone this to a larger drive.

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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
Both drives must be the same partitioning scheme, either MBR or GPT
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung target SSD)
If you are cloning from a SATA drive to PCIe/NVMe, you may need to install the relevant driver for this new NVMe/PCIe drive.
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up

Verify the system boots with ONLY the current "C drive" connected.
If not, we have to fix that first.

Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive

[Ignore this section if using the SDM. It does this automatically]
If you are going from a smaller drive to a larger, by default, the target partition size will be the same as the Source. You probably don't want that
You can manipulate the size of the partitions on the target (larger)drive
Click on "Cloned Partition Properties", and you can specify the resulting partition size, to even include the whole thing
[/end ignore]

Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD. This is not optional.
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD

(swapping cables is irrelevant with NVMe drives, but DO disconnect the old drive for this next part)
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.
-----------------------------

 

[USAFRet]

For the dual boot, you'd have to manage the resulting size on the Target drive, to leave some free space.

Or, use a Linux Live USB to boot Ubuntu with.

 

[Catalytic]

Thank you! (And thank you for your service!!!) The new SSD should be here tomorrow, so I'll be back over the weekend if I run into issues. I GREATLY appreciate your help!

Friend suggested partition new drive with 70% for Windows and 30% for Linux. Does that sound about right to you?

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you! (And thank you for your service!!!) The new SSD should be here tomorrow, so I'll be back over the weekend if I run into issues. I GREATLY appreciate your help!

Friend suggested partition new drive with 70% for Windows and 30% for Linux. Does that sound about right to you?

On a 1TB drive, sure. That sounds about right.
Depending, of course, what you're going to use the Linux for.

 

[Catalytic]

Depending, of course, what you're going to use the Linux for.

I doubt I will ever use it as my main OS, but it's coming up in my IT classes and I have to take a Linux class next term, so I thought having it to play with and learn might be wise

 

[USAFRet]

I doubt I will ever use it as my main OS, but it's coming up in my IT classes and I have to take a Linux class next term, so I thought having it to play with and learn might be wise

Start with a Linux Live USB.
Fully functional, but no real install needed.

Or, a Linux install in a VM instance.
Can run both your host Windows and the Linux VM at the same time.