Upgrade laptop hard drive to SSD?Free Operating System Backup?

[NonTechSavvySheep]

I need tools to backup my current OS Windows 8.1 64 bit on my current laptop since I will be upgrading my laptop to SSD.
Anyone has any idea?

I just need one to backup the OS and all of the software inside?
Do you think that I need to make .ISO files and burn it to DVD as well or USB?

 

[USAFRet]

I need tools to backup my current OS Windows 8.1 64 bit on my current laptop since I will be upgrading my laptop to SSD.
Anyone has any idea?

I just need one to backup the OS and all of the software inside?
Do you think that I need to make .ISO files and burn it to DVD as well or USB?

1. What size is the new SSD?
2. How much current space is consumed on your current drive?
[strike]3. What OS is this?[/strike]

If #1 is larger than #2, you can migrate directly to the new SSD.

Steps to follow after we figure out if it is possible.

 

[NonTechSavvySheep]

I need tools to backup my current OS Windows 8.1 64 bit on my current laptop since I will be upgrading my laptop to SSD.
Anyone has any idea?

I just need one to backup the OS and all of the software inside?
Do you think that I need to make .ISO files and burn it to DVD as well or USB?

1. What size is the new SSD?
2. How much current space is consumed on your current drive?
[strike]3. What OS is this?[/strike]

If #1 is larger than #2, you can migrate directly to the new SSD.

Steps to follow after we figure out if it is possible.

The size of new SSD is 240 GB. I already have the SSD, I'm not planning to buy a new one.
I have 500 GB HDD in my current laptop, however, I only have about 50 GB space and I could even make it less if I move all the files (pictures, documents etc) I have multiple copies on several storage.

So what do you think?

 

[USAFRet]

I need tools to backup my current OS Windows 8.1 64 bit on my current laptop since I will be upgrading my laptop to SSD.
Anyone has any idea?

I just need one to backup the OS and all of the software inside?
Do you think that I need to make .ISO files and burn it to DVD as well or USB?

1. What size is the new SSD?
2. How much current space is consumed on your current drive?
[strike]3. What OS is this?[/strike]

If #1 is larger than #2, you can migrate directly to the new SSD.

Steps to follow after we figure out if it is possible.

The size of new SSD is 240 GB. I already have the SSD, I'm not planning to buy a new one.
I have 500 GB HDD in my current laptop, however, I only have about 50 GB space and I could even make it less if I move all the files (pictures, documents etc) I have multiple copies on several storage.

So what do you think?

Your current drive is only using 50GB of space?
Or you only have 50GB free space?

 

[NonTechSavvySheep]

I need tools to backup my current OS Windows 8.1 64 bit on my current laptop since I will be upgrading my laptop to SSD.
Anyone has any idea?

I just need one to backup the OS and all of the software inside?
Do you think that I need to make .ISO files and burn it to DVD as well or USB?

1. What size is the new SSD?
2. How much current space is consumed on your current drive?
[strike]3. What OS is this?[/strike]

If #1 is larger than #2, you can migrate directly to the new SSD.

Steps to follow after we figure out if it is possible.

The size of new SSD is 240 GB. I already have the SSD, I'm not planning to buy a new one.
I have 500 GB HDD in my current laptop, however, I only have about 50 GB space and I could even make it less if I move all the files (pictures, documents etc) I have multiple copies on several storage.

So what do you think?

Your current drive is only using 50GB of space?
Or you only have 50GB free space?

Sorry for the confusion, What I mean is that I have plenty of free space. I only use about 50 GB. I pretty much have plenty of free spaces. I would have bought 120 GB SSD. But now that I think that I have one, why buy another one.

I have ADATA SP550. obviously not the best. But it will do.

 

[USAFRet]

OK ten, no problem.
You'll just need a USB dock or cable to connect the new drive to, while you do this process.

A cable like this:
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-SATA-Drive-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00HJZJI84

Or a dock like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Docking-Thunderbolt-compatible/dp/B0099TX7O4

Then....

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)
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
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 as necessary.
Delete the original boot partitions, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
-----------------------------

 

[NonTechSavvySheep]

I think that I need clarifications on certain steps, what do you mean disconnect all the drive?
so I need to clone it first to SSD before replacing the laptop hard drive?

 

[USAFRet]

I think that I need clarifications on certain steps, what do you mean disconnect all the drive?
so I need to clone it first to SSD before replacing the laptop hard drive?

OK...that was mostly written for a desktop, with possible multiple drives in it.
Since you only have the one drive, ignore that step.

Yes, you clone the system to the new drive, before you physically change them
When the operation finishes, power OFF
Physically take the old drive out, and put the new SSD in.
Do not connect the old drive to anything. (yet)
Power up, and allow the system to try to boot from the new drive.

See what happens.

 

[NonTechSavvySheep]

OK...that was mostly written for a desktop, with possible multiple drives in it.
Since you only have the one drive, ignore that step.

Yes, you clone the system to the new drive, before you physically change them
When the operation finishes, power OFF
Physically take the old drive out, and put the new SSD in.
Do not connect the old drive to anything. (yet)
Power up, and allow the system to try to boot from the new drive.

See what happens.

I think that I will have to give it a try later.
After I insert the new drive, if it works, then I would just need to format the old drive right? Anyway. Do you think that I need to make system image file? Is system image file the same as ISO file? If it is, I would make bootable flash drive.

 

[USAFRet]

I think that I will have to give it a try later.
After I insert the new drive, if it works, then I would just need to format the old drive right? Anyway. Do you think that I need to make system image file? Is system image file the same as ISO file? If it is, I would make bootable flash drive.

No, you don't need to make a 'system image file'.
Assuming it works, and it usually does, you'll have the entire system on the new drive.

 

[NonTechSavvySheep]

I think that I will have to give it a try later.
After I insert the new drive, if it works, then I would just need to format the old drive right? Anyway. Do you think that I need to make system image file? Is system image file the same as ISO file? If it is, I would make bootable flash drive.

No, you don't need to make a 'system image file'.
Assuming it works, and it usually does, you'll have the entire system on the new drive.

Thank you for the advice. I can only try it after 10 days, after that I will mark it solves. I still need to get the connector you describe. Do you think that the one that comes with the enclosure works the same as the USB Connector you mention?
Does the USB connector only works for 2.5" drive and not 3.5" drive?

 

[USAFRet]

I think that I will have to give it a try later.
After I insert the new drive, if it works, then I would just need to format the old drive right? Anyway. Do you think that I need to make system image file? Is system image file the same as ISO file? If it is, I would make bootable flash drive.

No, you don't need to make a 'system image file'.
Assuming it works, and it usually does, you'll have the entire system on the new drive.

Thank you for the advice. I can only try it after 10 days, after that I will mark it solves. I still need to get the connector you describe. Do you think that the one that comes with the enclosure works the same as the USB Connector you mention?
Does the USB connector only works for 2.5" drive and not 3.5" drive?

The little cable will only work with an SSD.
The larger dock will work with a 2.5" HDD, 2.5" HDD or SSD.