How to Transfer Over Inactivated Windows 10 From HDD to SSD?

[jar00d]

About to get an SSD and I want to use the HDD for media and for the SSD to have games, OS, etc. Currently on the HDD, I have an inactivated copy of windows (the one that has the watermark and doesn't let you customize). How do I copy the OS from the HDD to the SSD and how would I boot it?

Thanks

 

[SkyNetRising]

That is not illegitimate. It's just not activated yet.

You can clone it the same way as activated windows 10 installation.

BTW - I suggest you edit your post and remove "illegitimate" from it or this topic may get locked.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Cloning specifics depend on size of source, target drives and how full source drive is.

Can you show screenshot from Disk Management?

 

[jar00d]

That is not illegitimate. It's just not activated yet.

You can clone it the same way as activated windows 10 installation.

BTW - I suggest you edit your post and remove "illegitimate" from it or this topic may get locked.

Cloning specifics depend on size of source, target drives and how full source drive is.

Can you show screenshot from Disk Management?

Is there no way to clone only the OS? https://imageshack.com/i/pl5RpPNtp

 

[USAFRet]

Is there no way to clone only the OS? https://imageshack.com/i/pl5RpPNtp

No. There is no function or application to do that.

You currently have ~800GB consumed on your HDD. What size is your new SSD?

 

[jar00d]

Is there no way to clone only the OS? https://imageshack.com/i/pl5RpPNtp

No. There is no function or application to do that.

You currently have ~800GB consumed on your HDD. What size is your new SSD?

1TB. So then it would be possible to clone all data onto the SSD, then delete/uninstall files and programs from the SSD that I want only on the HDD?

 

[USAFRet]

Is there no way to clone only the OS? https://imageshack.com/i/pl5RpPNtp

No. There is no function or application to do that.

You currently have ~800GB consumed on your HDD. What size is your new SSD?

1TB. So then it would be possible to clone all data onto the SSD, then delete/uninstall files and programs from the SSD that I want only on the HDD?

For a 1TB, reduce that used space to below 800GB.
Then, clone the whole thing over. Steps below.
Once it is actually done and you've reconnected the HDD, then you wipe the HDD completely. All partitions, leaving one blank space.
Then, you move things back to the HDD. Your personal data, Steam games if desired.
Regular applications can't be moved back and forth between drives. They will die.

Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
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

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
-----------------------------

 

[jar00d]

Is there no way to clone only the OS? https://imageshack.com/i/pl5RpPNtp

No. There is no function or application to do that.

You currently have ~800GB consumed on your HDD. What size is your new SSD?

1TB. So then it would be possible to clone all data onto the SSD, then delete/uninstall files and programs from the SSD that I want only on the HDD?

For a 1TB, reduce that used space to below 800GB.
Then, clone the whole thing over. Steps below.
Once it is actually done and you've reconnected the HDD, then you wipe the HDD completely. All partitions, leaving one blank space.
Then, you move things back to the HDD. Your personal data, Steam games if desired.
Regular applications can't be moved back and forth between drives. They will die.

Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
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

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
-----------------------------

SSD works (I think) but it will only let me boot from Windows Boot Manager and not the SSD itself. Is there any difference or does this need to be fixed?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Windows boot manager is name for UEFI boot loader. It is located in a small EFI system partition on your drive.
Everything is correct there. Nothing to fix.