Hard disk cloning Windows 10

[baboo85]

Hi all,

I have a problem during cloning operation in Windows 10.
I want to go back to a mechanical hard disk because I want to use the actual SSD for another purpose and I don't mind if the system is "slow".

Now I have Windows 10 clean installed with drivers and games (installed on a secondary 1TB HDD) and nothing else. The system is with UEFI enabled and Secure Boot Off.

- Tried to clone with Acronis True Image 2016: all ok but system won't boot.
- Downloaded the Win10Pro ISO from Microsoft, burned to a DVD and booted (need to boot in Legacy). It can't repair automatically, it won't even see the Windows installation.
- Tried 3 tools (Rufus, Easy2Boot, SARDU) to create an UEFI usb key with Windows 10 image: none of these boot.
- Tried to do a backup with Windows Backup and Restore, booted the W10Pro DVD, selected the image but it won't restore the image because it's done in UEFI mode and now I'm in Legacy mode.

I don't know what to do anymore.

 

[R_1]

when you install windows to the SSD, was the HDD connected and installed?

I have noticed windows likes to put boot files on other drives.
if you are cloning the SSD and some files needed for boot are on the HDD, the cloned drive will be rendered not bootable.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I don't know what to do anymore.

Can you post screenshot from Disk Management, when both drives are present?

 

[gaborbarla]

Generally almost all cloning software will NOT clone the boot sector unless you use the full version. It can be a real struggle to clone an HD to an SSD if you don't have the right tool. I suspect you are not using a full version, but if you are then make sure to click "clone boot sector" or "bootable image" or whatever they call it.

I have tried 5 free cloning tools and only one of them actually cloned the boot sector (the 5th one of course) but I cannot remember the name. Some of them just don't work, or prompt you to buy it to clone the boot sector.
If you have a samsung ssd, then you can download a free samsung cloning tool that only works with samsung drive. Not sure what your ssd is but it might be worth while to check it has a similar free cloning tool that comes in the form of a download or on a small dvd that came with the drive.
Hope this helps to point you in the right direction.

 

[JoeMomma]

1. Try using EaseUS Partion Manager to clone your disk. I find it much more stable and reliable than Acronis.

2. Making a Windows Backup System Image is the only way I have found that works to make a backup of my C:\ drive that will successfully restore. You have to boot from the Windows install or repair DVD/USB and from there I was able to restore from the image.

I can confirm R_1's comment about Windows 'sprinkling' files to every drive in your system on install.
Just have one drive connected when you install Windows or you WILL have problems.
I don't know about the UEFI vs Legacy issue.
Good Luck.

 

[baboo85]

when you install windows to the SSD, was the HDD connected and installed?

I have noticed windows likes to put boot files on other drives.
if you are cloning the SSD and some files needed for boot are on the HDD, the cloned drive will be rendered not bootable.

When I installed Windows, there was only one disk. Then I put the second one and installed games.
When I did the cloning, I removed the 2nd disk, switched the SSD with the "new-old" one and put SSD in the other slot (where the 2nd disk was).

I don't know what to do anymore.

Can you post screenshot from Disk Management, when both drives are present?

Do not want. I already deleted the disk. But if you want to know the partition size, I verified that all the partition except the System one (where C:\ is located) were the same size.
I even tried to do the "As is" option, no luck.

The problem lies in the UEFI. Not on my pc but the system itself.
I'll try this, after cloning: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/boot-to-uefi-mode-or-legacy-bios-mode
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/mbr-to-gpt
But the reverse one: GTP to MBR.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Can you post screenshot from Disk Management, when both drives are present?

Do not want. I already deleted the disk. But if you want to know the partition size, I verified that all the partition except the System one (where C:\ is located) were the same size.

Whatever.
I'm sure you can figure this out on your own. Good luck. 😉

 

[USAFRet]

Generally almost all cloning software will NOT clone the boot sector unless you use the full version. It can be a real struggle to clone an HD to an SSD if you don't have the right tool. I suspect you are not using a full version, but if you are then make sure to click "clone boot sector" or "bootable image" or whatever they call it.

False.
Macrium Reflect (free version) does this with zero issues.

I've done it personally, and talked dozens of people here through the process.

Just like this:
-----------------------------
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
-----------------------------

 

[baboo85]

Generally almost all cloning software will NOT clone the boot sector unless you use the full version. It can be a real struggle to clone an HD to an SSD if you don't have the right tool. I suspect you are not using a full version, but if you are then make sure to click "clone boot sector" or "bootable image" or whatever they call it.

False.
Macrium Reflect (free version) does this with zero issues.

I've done it personally, and talked dozens of people here through the process.

Just like this:
-----------------------------
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
-----------------------------

Yesterday i tried to use diskpart (in Windows 10, in another pc with Windows 7 and again booting Windows 10 from the DVD) to use the "convert mbr" command to switch to legacy mode. No luck, I get something like "Impossible to convert" bla bla bla.
I even tried to boot with the EasyUS Partition Manager WinPE ISO and use the command, still no luck, even deleting 1 partition (there were 5 primary partitions, MBR disks can manage up to 4) and then all but the system one (C:\) (I would have repaired it later). Always impossible.

I'll try with this magic Macrium Reflect, I hope it works. Or I'll set Legacy Mode and go back to Windows 7 :/

 

[SkyNetRising]

There's no point in asking for help, if you're not willing to provide all the necessary info.
Without Disk Management screenshot there's just too much guessing involved.

Few tips.
Requirements for system to boot in legacy/csm mode:

• BIOS settings allowing legacy/csm boot,
  mbr partitioning scheme,
  bootloader partition must be primary and active.

Requirements for system to boot in UEFI mode:

• BIOS settings allowing UEFI boot,
  gpt partitioning scheme,
  bootloader partition must be of EFI system type.

If any of those settings are wrong, system will not boot.

Note - bootloader and windows partition is not the same thing.

 

[baboo85]

There's no point in asking for help, if you're not willing to provide all the necessary info.
Without Disk Management screenshot there's just too much guessing involved.

Few tips.
Requirements for system to boot in legacy/csm mode:

• BIOS settings allowing legacy/csm boot,
  mbr partitioning scheme,
  bootloader partition must be primary and active.

Requirements for system to boot in UEFI mode:

• BIOS settings allowing UEFI boot,
  gpt partitioning scheme,
  bootloader partition must be of EFI system type.

If any of those settings are wrong, system will not boot.

Note - bootloader and windows partition is not the same thing.

I don't want to because I need to clone again and post. And it's useless because I already checked.
The partition were the same as the origin disk, the bootloader as active, the system partition and the other recovery partition. Bootloader was and EFI partition, the size of the partition were the same (i even tried to re-clone using "As is" for sizing), GPT disk.

What other info do you need from Disk Management if I already checked myself. And I already said it.

But if you want to know the partition size, I verified that all the partition except the System one (where C:\ is located) were the same size.
I even tried to do the "As is" option, no luck.

 

[SkyNetRising]

What other info do you need from Disk Management if I already checked myself. And I already said it.

Need - visual confirmation that everything is done right.
You're saying, that you did everything right. But since it's not working, something is done wrong. Obviously.

If cloning is done properly, it might just need a simple bootloader fixing with bcdboot command.

 

[baboo85]

What other info do you need from Disk Management if I already checked myself. And I already said it.

Need - visual confirmation that everything is done right.
You're saying, that you did everything right. But since it's not working, something is done wrong. Obviously.

If cloning is done properly, it might just need a simple bootloader fixing with bcdboot command.

Again: no.

I just finished using Macrium Reflect Home. It cloned the HDD perfectly (using the As Is mode, so I have 112GB unallocated).
Removed the "old" SSD, turned on the pc. SAME FAQING PROBLEM.

I give up. I reinstall Windows 7 and faq Windows 10.

Anyway thanks all of you for the help. I will think about switching to Windows 10 in 2020 when the updates will terminate