OS Migration Help

[Viperking]

So i've been looking to get myself an SSD to put some kick back into my system. Im planning on pairing it with my current 1TB hard drive which will be used as storage. I was wondering if, when migrating an OS, does the migration include everything on the drive? Or can you choose to only migrate the OS installation folder itself (for me that would be C:\Windows) as this is all I would want to do due to there being over 600GB of data on my current HDD. I only need the Windows installation and maybe a few high use programs on the SSD.

 

[USAFRet]

There is only one application I know of that purports to be able to migrate 'only' the OS to a new drive.
Paragon Migrate - http://www.paragon-software.com/technologies/components/migrate-OS-to-SSD/
Not free, and results have been mixed.

All other tools either migrate everything, or allow you to exclude what lives in your Doc/Music/Pics/etc folders.

You can't pick and choose applications.

 

[USAFRet]

Moving to a new SSD, you basically have 2 options:

1. Clone from the old drive to the new drive.
This requires that the current used space be significantly less than the size of the new SSD. For instance, moving to a 250GBB SSD, the Samsung Magician software requires it to be below less than 200GB.

This is potentially faster/easier, but appears to be more fail prone.

2. Fresh install on the new SSD.
Takes longer, but always works.

 

[Viperking]

Moving to a new SSD, you basically have 2 options:

1. Clone from the old drive to the new drive.
This requires that the current used space be significantly less than the size of the new SSD. For instance, moving to a 250GBB SSD, the Samsung Magician software requires it to be below less than 200GB.

This is potentially faster/easier, but appears to be more fail prone.

2. Fresh install on the new SSD.
Takes longer, but always works.

So since I started this post I've decided to clean up my HDD a bit. Ive uninstalled a bunch of old unwanted programs that I dont really use anymore and such, installed CCleaner, did a basic clean and cleaned my registry. I managed to clear up about 200GB of space leaving me with 408GB used. Im planning on buying the Samsung 840 EVO 250GB as the SSD. Im wondering what you would do in my position. What do you think would be the easiest way to go about this. (Ive heard things about partition cloning or something and was wondering if that would play a part).

 

[ArtPog]

Frankly, if you could swing for another $90 or so and pick up the Samsung 500 GB 850 EVO that would resolve your dilemma.

Failing that, you could use the Samsung Data Migration program that will be bundled with their SSD. The program does a capability of excluding files from the disk-cloning operation but some users have found it an awkward process and not at all satisfactory. You might want to take a look at the program's user guide in the section on "Advanced Cloning" and see what you think...
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/downloads/software/Samsung_SSD_Data_Migration_User_Manual_ENG_v27.pdf

The Paragon Migrate program mentioned by USAFRet is another option (sells for $14.95) but from what I've heard & read it's an iffy proposition.

If you possibly can, spring for the 500 GB Samsung. You'll never regret it.

 

[Viperking]

Frankly, if you could swing for another $90 or so and pick up the Samsung 500 GB 850 EVO that would resolve your dilemma.

Failing that, you could use the Samsung Data Migration program that will be bundled with their SSD. The program does a capability of excluding files from the disk-cloning operation but some users have found it an awkward process and not at all satisfactory. You might want to take a look at the program's user guide in the section on "Advanced Cloning" and see what you think...
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/downloads/software/Samsung_SSD_Data_Migration_User_Manual_ENG_v27.pdf

The Paragon Migrate program mentioned by USAFRet is another option (sells for $14.95) but from what I've heard & read it's an iffy proposition.

If you possibly can, spring for the 500 GB Samsung. You'll never regret it.

I don't think I could dish out the extra money due to the fact that I was also planning on getting a new case along with the SSD. But what I have just noticed is that my Steam folder alone takes up just over 200GB of space. If I do get the new SSD I think I would simply remove steam and all of the games, migrate the OS then reinstall all of it back on the HDD. I dont have many Steam games that I actually play so reinstalling it all should be a breeze.

 

[USAFRet]

Frankly, if you could swing for another $90 or so and pick up the Samsung 500 GB 850 EVO that would resolve your dilemma.

Failing that, you could use the Samsung Data Migration program that will be bundled with their SSD. The program does a capability of excluding files from the disk-cloning operation but some users have found it an awkward process and not at all satisfactory. You might want to take a look at the program's user guide in the section on "Advanced Cloning" and see what you think...
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/downloads/software/Samsung_SSD_Data_Migration_User_Manual_ENG_v27.pdf

The Paragon Migrate program mentioned by USAFRet is another option (sells for $14.95) but from what I've heard & read it's an iffy proposition.

If you possibly can, spring for the 500 GB Samsung. You'll never regret it.

I don't think I could dish out the extra money due to the fact that I was also planning on getting a new case along with the SSD. But what I have just noticed is that my Steam folder alone takes up just over 200GB of space. If I do get the new SSD I think I would simply remove steam and all of the games, migrate the OS then reinstall all of it back on the HDD. I dont have many Steam games that I actually play so reinstalling it all should be a breeze.

If you want to clone from your old drive to new SSD, going to a 250GB drive, your used space must be below 200GB.
The Samsung Magician software will cough up an error if it is larger.

 

[Viperking]

Frankly, if you could swing for another $90 or so and pick up the Samsung 500 GB 850 EVO that would resolve your dilemma.

Failing that, you could use the Samsung Data Migration program that will be bundled with their SSD. The program does a capability of excluding files from the disk-cloning operation but some users have found it an awkward process and not at all satisfactory. You might want to take a look at the program's user guide in the section on "Advanced Cloning" and see what you think...
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/downloads/software/Samsung_SSD_Data_Migration_User_Manual_ENG_v27.pdf

The Paragon Migrate program mentioned by USAFRet is another option (sells for $14.95) but from what I've heard & read it's an iffy proposition.

If you possibly can, spring for the 500 GB Samsung. You'll never regret it.

I don't think I could dish out the extra money due to the fact that I was also planning on getting a new case along with the SSD. But what I have just noticed is that my Steam folder alone takes up just over 200GB of space. If I do get the new SSD I think I would simply remove steam and all of the games, migrate the OS then reinstall all of it back on the HDD. I dont have many Steam games that I actually play so reinstalling it all should be a breeze.

If you want to clone from your old drive to new SSD, going to a 250GB drive, your used space must be below 200GB.
The Samsung Magician software will cough up an error if it is larger.

Yeah I should be able to clear that up with deleting the steam folder and all. Thanks for the helpful replies. Problem solved.