Question Replace Windows 10 HHD with SSD / Copy OS to new drive

[dbagnew]

I am installing a new SSD (SATA III 2.5) and would like to know if I can transfer my OS (Windows 10) to the new SSD. The space on the HHD is less than the new SSD. Can this be done and how?
Thanks

 

[RARRAF]

clone it using Macrium Reflect FREE Edition works very well

 

[USAFRet]

I am installing a new SSD (SATA III 2.5) and would like to know if I can transfer my OS (Windows 10) to the new SSD. The space on the HHD is less than the new SSD. Can this be done and how?
Thanks

What size/make/model is the new SSD?
How much space is consumed on the current C drive?

 

[dbagnew]

clone it using Macrium Reflect FREE Edition works very well

I will try this. Thanks

 

[dbagnew]

What size/make/model is the new SSD?
How much space is consumed on the current C drive?

The SSD is 1 TB and the HDD is 2 TB with 1.3 TB used. So about 700+GB available.

 

[USAFRet]

The SSD is 1 TB and the HDD is 2 TB with 1.3 TB used. So about 700+GB available.

OK.

Just like this:

-----------------------------
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)
If you are cloning from a SATA drive to PCIe/NVMe, install the relevant driver for this new NVMe/PCIe drive.
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

If you are going from a smaller drive to a larger, by default, the target partition size will be the same as the Source. You probably don't want that
You can manipulate the size of the partitions on the target (larger)drive
Click on "Cloned Partition Properties", and you can specifiy the resulting partition size, to even include the whole thing

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 all partitions on it.
This will probably require the commandline diskpart function, and the clean command.

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

 

[dbagnew]

OK.

Just like this:

-----------------------------
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)
If you are cloning from a SATA drive to PCIe/NVMe, install the relevant driver for this new NVMe/PCIe drive.
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

If you are going from a smaller drive to a larger, by default, the target partition size will be the same as the Source. You probably don't want that
You can manipulate the size of the partitions on the target (larger)drive
Click on "Cloned Partition Properties", and you can specifiy the resulting partition size, to even include the whole thing

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 all partitions on it.
This will probably require the commandline diskpart function, and the clean command.

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

Great detailed instructions.
As soon as the Cyber Monday SSD drive arrives I'm on it.
Thanks for all you help!

 

[dbagnew]

Great detailed instructions.
As soon as the Cyber Monday SSD drive arrives I'm on it.
Thanks for all you help!

Hello,

Sorry for the delay.

The instructions worked perfectly.

I am running on my new SSD!

One more question if I may.

Is there a utility I can run to test the SSD speed? I am running a Samsung 870 QVO.

Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

Is there a utility I can run to test the SSD speed? I am running a Samsung 870 QVO.

1. Samsung Magician https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/consumer/magician/
2. CrystalDiskMark https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskmark/

 

[dbagnew]

it's been a while and all work is good. I have a question but not sure if I should continue on this thread or start a new one. It's related to the clode of my IDE to SSD. My data store is corrupt and I tried all reasonable recommendations to fix it with no success so I decided to do a windows refresh but it fails due to error "0x8007025D-0x2000c". (that's the short version)
My new SSD has a 'System Reserved' partition with 100 GB and it says that 'System Reserved' partition ran out of space. So to not make this more lengthy or complicated if I place the windows ISO i just created to an USB stick and buy a new SSD will that do a clean install with no 'System Reserved' drive and keep my Windows 10 license? Sorry for the long story.