Is it safe to transfer Windows 10 to another SSD?

[davida9202]

I am buying a cheap desktop to gut out and upgrade, and the HDD it comes with has Windows 10. If I were to move that to an SSD, could it potentially corrupt the software? I would be using a free program to do so and do not want windows messing up at all.

 

[USAFRet]

I am buying a cheap desktop to gut out and upgrade, and the HDD it comes with has Windows 10. If I were to move that to an SSD, could it potentially corrupt the software? I would be using a free program to do so and do not want windows messing up at all.

To another drive in the same system? As long as everything fits, no problem.

To a different drive in a different system? Problems.


To clone to a new SSD in the same system, here:
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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
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
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[photonboy]

I agree, just use Machrium Reflect Free.

Make sure to enable the "verify" feature.

There's no reason to swap the SATA cables though, and once you've tested that the SSD works (and as said make sure the BIOS boot order is changed so it's the boot drive) you can then FORMAT the hard drive and use for backup of SSD and storage.

 

[USAFRet]

I agree, just use Machrium Reflect Free.

Make sure to enable the "verify" feature.

There's no reason to swap the SATA cables though, and once you've tested that the SSD works (and as said make sure the BIOS boot order is changed so it's the boot drive) you can then FORMAT the hard drive and use for backup of SSD and storage.

I've seen it on some systems where it does make a difference, which is why I put that line in there.

 

[photonboy]

Not sure what DESKTOP you are getting but make sure you don't spend so much that it defeats the purpose of buying it.

Also, if changing the SOCKET (thus different CPU type) your copy of Windows might not be transferable. I'll just assume not though since it wouldn't make sense to change that out in terms of cost.