How to clone Windows system drive to a bigger SSD

[utnalove]

Hello, I have a 250GB system C drive with Win 8.1.

I have no space left and I can't remove anything more to make more space.
I want to buya 500GB SSD and clone the 250GB drive into it, because the system is working fine and I don't want to reinstall anything back again.

Is that feasible. If yes how? Any free tool that allows to clone the system drive to a new one? How does it work? Windows should be on, or it should be done on the boot before Windows starts? Maybe a ISO to burn into a CD that allows me to clone drives?

If the new drive is bigger and of a different brand does it make any difference?

Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

Exactly like this:

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 as necessary.
Delete the 450MB Recovery Partition, 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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[geofelt]

If your new ssd is Samsung, the problem is trivial.
Run the Samsung free ssd migration app to move your windows C drive and contents to the new ssd.
Replace your old ssd with the new and boot.