Transfer Win10 to SSD

[level250geek]

I've recently purchased an SSD to replace my HDD. The SSD is larger and I plan to move the Win10 install to it. From what I'm finding, I can just download a migration tool like EaseUS and clone the hard disk to the new drive with no problem. Is this, in fact true? If so, do I need to disconnect the HDD before powering back up? I came across one article that said after the migration, to power down and disconnect it.

 

[USAFRet]

1. What size is the new SSD?
2. How much total used space is on the current C drive?

Assuming #1 is larger than #2....
------------------------
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 as 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.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Yes it's true. Well the way I do it i get a USB external drive case and put the SSD to clone in it. I then run the cloning software with the SSD as the target and the old drive as the source. Once the drive is cloned you can remove the HD and boot with the SSD. Do it a couple of times and to make sure you boot with the SSD. Then if you have another slot you can use the HD as a data drive if you want.

 

[level250geek]

1. What size is the new SSD?
2. How much total used space is on the current C drive?

Assuming #1 is larger than #2....
------------------------
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 as 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.

1. The old drive is 320 GB total, the SSD is 525 GB.
2. I'd have to check (PC is at home, I'm not), but I don't think more than 225 GB of the old drive is used up.

Just curious, why do you recommend disconnecting all drives except for the old and new drive for the OS? Just to reduce the chance of an error on my part?

 

[level250geek]

Yes it's true. Well the way I do it i get a USB external drive case and put the SSD to clone in it. I then run the cloning software with the SSD as the target and the old drive as the source. Once the drive is cloned you can remove the HD and boot with the SSD. Do it a couple of times and to make sure you boot with the SSD. Then if you have another slot you can use the HD as a data drive if you want.

Do you leave the SSD in its external enclosure, or do you install it in the case once you know it's booting up okay?

 

[USAFRet]

1. The old drive is 320 GB total, the SSD is 525 GB.
2. I'd have to check (PC is at home, I'm not), but I don't think more than 225 GB of the old drive is used up.

Just curious, why do you recommend disconnecting all drives except for the old and new drive for the OS? Just to reduce the chance of an error on my part?

Given those drive sizes, you should have no problems.
Yes, just to prevent any confusion/error on which drive. I've seen it happen too many times in here.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes it's true. Well the way I do it i get a USB external drive case and put the SSD to clone in it. I then run the cloning software with the SSD as the target and the old drive as the source. Once the drive is cloned you can remove the HD and boot with the SSD. Do it a couple of times and to make sure you boot with the SSD. Then if you have another slot you can use the HD as a data drive if you want.

Do you leave the SSD in its external enclosure, or do you install it in the case once you know it's booting up okay?

No need to mess with back and forth to an external.
Direct drive to drive clone, inside the case.

Seriously. Just put the SSD in the case, and follow the steps above.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Well you didn't say if it was a laptop or a desktop. If a laptop with one drive you will be an external case. If a laptop or desktop with multiple drives you can just put it in the open slot. I would boot after that with the new drive only then if you have 2 drive slots put the old one back in as a data drive. I software i used was Acronis is i stuck the CD and it booted into the Acronis Software and I setup the source drive (old drive) and the target (SSD) and click start and it showed a progress meter and things worked out good. I've done this 4 times and all successfull. I did a 128 SSD with a new system, then i moved to a 240 GB SSD. I then cloned a 750 gb HD to a 1 GB hd and last I did 256 Msata SSD to 1 GB SSD.