SSD transfer from HDD

zealotick

Reputable
May 27, 2015
26
0
4,530
I was wondering what the best way of transferring my os to my ssd would be. I have the windows install disk so I could install it straight to the ssd,but I'm not sure how I would do that while keeping my hard drive plugged in. I also know they are programs that will do it for you but would like to know which is the best and how to delete the os off the hdd afterwards.
 
Solution
When I worked as the imaging specialist at the university in my town we used a product called Macrium Reflect. http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

It clones the drive sector by sector even if the disk is in use and just uses a delta process to catch any changes that happen during the cloning process. After it clones the drive it is as easy as removing the HDD and installing the SSD in its place.

As far as formatting it goes I would find a way to install the HDD either externally, or after the SSD has booted so that you can open partition manager and format it. Otherwise another way you could do it is use your Windows install disk and format the HDD while it is the only drive plugged in, making sure the SSD isn't present so you...

LilDog1291

Honorable
Jan 9, 2013
313
0
10,960
When I worked as the imaging specialist at the university in my town we used a product called Macrium Reflect. http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

It clones the drive sector by sector even if the disk is in use and just uses a delta process to catch any changes that happen during the cloning process. After it clones the drive it is as easy as removing the HDD and installing the SSD in its place.

As far as formatting it goes I would find a way to install the HDD either externally, or after the SSD has booted so that you can open partition manager and format it. Otherwise another way you could do it is use your Windows install disk and format the HDD while it is the only drive plugged in, making sure the SSD isn't present so you don't accidentally wipe it. There are a ton of different ways you could do this so just find one that you're most comfortable with.
 
Solution
I use macrium reflect, just select your HDD and then clone it and the boot manager over to the SSD.

Once done you can go into the bios and make the SSD the primary boot
Then boot into windows make sure everything is ok then select your HDD and format it.