Noob Here - SSD C: Drive Almost Full

[golf nut]

So I have about 10GB left on my 128GB SSD that is in my Windows 7 PC as my boot drive. I am either going to get a 256GB or 512GB SSD, and need to move everything from my current 128GB SSD over.

Assuming I have another slot on my motherboard, I assume I just plug the new SSD into a slot on the motherboard and use a drive cloning program to clone the 128GB SSD contents to the new SSD?

Is there a guide to doing this here on this website?

Sorry for the noob questions! Thanks in advance for your help!

Woody

 

[USAFRet]

First, why not determine what is taking up that space?
A 128GB SSD is not necessarily too small.

 

[ronintexas]

I agree - I have a dual-boot Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 laptop that uses a 128GB SSD....

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I get calls and requests to bring boxes over all the time so I can clean out the C:\Drives

I use steven goulds cleanup utility at least once a week to flush all the stuff ya need to clean.
http://stevengould.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=223

Once a month I will use windows disk cleanup to grab anything steven missed and grabbing Windows Update uninstall files.


http://www.nextofwindows.com/7-ways-to-reduce-your-disk-size-in-windows-7/

 

[ArtPog]

I'll assume that you've performed general maintenance & housekeeping on your present 128 GB SSD and you're satisfied that the present total contents on that disk are reasonable in that it meets your objectives.

So as to the cloning of your present SSD to a considerably larger SSD...

I'll assume that you're pretty much thinking of a one-shot disk cloning operation and not interested in also using a disk-cloning program as a tool for maintaining frequent comprehensive backups of your system. I mention this because the program I'll recommend to you is a freebie. It's not the program I recommend should you desire a disk-cloning program that can also be used for routine backups of your system. But that program is a commercial one and costs $49.99. I find most users loathe to purchase this type of commercial product when there are so many free disk-cloning programs available. More's the pity...

Anyway the program is Macrium Reflex Free. You can download it from...
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html
It's a reasonably easy program to use and seems to do the job based on my (admittedly) limited experience with it. Here are some instructions...

Before opening the Macrium Reflex Free program and undertaking the disk-cloning operation close any open programs and remove or uninstall all storage devices, e.g, flash drives, other external USB devices, from the PC other than the source & destination disks that will be involved in the cloning operation. It is unnecessary to uninstall any fixed HDD/SSDs.

The destination disk can be installed either as an internally-connected drive or as a USB external HDD/SSD.

1. With both the source & destination disks connected, boot to the source disk & open the Macrium Reflex Free program.

2. The opening window will reflect the two disks. The destination disk will be listed below the source disk. Both disks should be check-marked (default).

3. Click "Clone this disk".

4. On the next window click "Select a disk to clone to...". The destination disk should appear in the window.

5. Click on the graphic of the destination disk, then click Next.

6. The Clone Summary window will appear indicating that the source disk will be copied to the destination disk.

7. Click Finish.

8. The Confirmation Overwrite window will appear requesting confirmation of the disk-cloning process.

9. Click Continue...

10. After the destination disk is successfully cloned ensure that it is connected to the motherboard's first SATA connector which will be designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1 depending upon the motherboard's designations. I'm assuming, of course, that the cloned disk is to serve as the PC's new boot drive.

So as you can see it's a relatively simple & straightforward process and you shouldn't have any problems with it.

Don't know if you've decided on the make/model/capacity of the larger SSD but if you haven't my advice would be to purchase the larger-capacity SSD if you can swing it $-wise. As to make, it's hard to beat the Samsung 850 Pro. I've had experience with about a dozen or so SSDs and greatly prefer that Samsung to all the others. I've found nothing faster, but of course you'll pay a premium for that model. And truth to tell I have to admit there's not an enormous difference in real-world terms with virtually any SSD compared to another SSD.

 

[golf nut]

To be fair, I probably do need to have a look at the contents on the SSD. I have a regular 2TB hard drive as my data drive (D: drive), so I really only use the SSD for the OS, software programs, and I think I have my iTunes account on the C drive as well (not sure how to move it to the D drive).

Also, I do not back up my C drive. I know, probably not a good idea.

I'm assuming that I will still need to move to a larger SSD as my C drive, so I will have to read through the replies here so far. Thanks to all who have posted so far. If anyone reading this has any other suggestions, I am all ears. I built my PC myself, so I have at least some knowledge of componentry. I'm less knowledgeable on maintenance, networking, etc.

Again, thanks to everyone for taking the time to read and post!

Woody

 

[USAFRet]

Your iTunes is almost certainly a big issue. Music can take up a LOT of space. And does not need to be on the SSD. A song won't run any faster...

 

[golf nut]

How do I move my iTunes account to my D Drive? I've tried looking through iTunes but can't see where I can move it...

Again, sorry for my noob-ness...

As for which new SSD I'd buy, I've been on the fence between the Crucial MX100, Samsung 850 EVO, and Samsung 850 Pro. It's a pretty big price difference from the Crucial to the 850 Pro - is it really worth a 45% to 52% price premium to go from the Crucial to the 850 Pro?

 

[USAFRet]

Crucial MX100, or Samsung 850 EVO.
The 850 PRO has a better warranty.

To move iTunes? Discover where the actual music files are, and see how much space they take up. The iTunes client can live anywhere, and reference music files anywhere else.

 

[Jonathan Cave]

The MX100 are a solid performer and cost less than the Samsung.

 

[golf nut]

So I figured out that iTunes was saving my iPhone and iPad backups on the SSD, and that alone was 31 gigs of space. I figured out how to move those backups and direct future backups to the D drive. That was a good, as I now have 45 gigs of space free on the SSD. Looks like I will keep running this 128 GB SSD (Samsung 840 Pro) a while longer!

Thanks to everyone!