Upgrade SSD to bigger SSD - how to keep Windows + all data?

[domino66]

I'm replacing the 128GB SSD that came installed on my HP laptop with a new 256GB SSD.

But I realized that all my data (and my Windows 8.1 install) is on my 128GB I'm replacing so...how do I install this new 256GB SSD without losing anything? I can back up my files, but my laptop didn't come with any Windows reinstallation software/disk, so not sure what to do there.

Is cloning / imaging my current SSD the way to go, and if so, how do I go about that?

 

[astrosheen]

What sort of ssd did you get?
Some come bundled with cloning software

 

[SBMfromLA]

I've never actually cloned a smaller drive onto a larger one before so I'm not an expert... but I recall once when I wanted to do that the cloning software wanted to create an additional partition for the cloned image which was the same size as my original smaller drive which I didn't like...

Most SSDs come with utilities that include cloning software to copy your drive onto the newer one... but there is a catch... you need to be able to have both drives connected to the computer at the same time... and with laptops that's very difficult. You said you could easily back up your files... so I'm assuming you have an external drive or secondary computer available, right?

If you have an OEM-made laptop, you could first try seeing if you could get a recovery DVD or make one yourself using the built in software from the HP. They usually... sometimes... have on a second (hidden partition) or have the option on the start menu under HP...

Are you using Win8.1 or Windows 7? Another option would be to obtain an OEM version of Windows 7, for example, from someone else and use that to reinstall. I had two HP laptops here and I was able to reinstall to either of them using each other's Install DVD.

 

[ArtPog]

Yes, cloning the contents of your 128 GB SSD to your 256 GB SSD is the way to go provided that your current boot drive boots & functions without any problems whatsoever and you're comfortable with having a bit-for-bit copy of that drive transferred to your new larger SSD. I presume that's the case in your situation.

As you have heard from some responders frequently a "data migration" (disk-cloning) program is bundled with a new SSD. You didn't indicate the make/model of your new SSD but you can check this out with the manuf. of the SSD you're planning to purchase. The program that's bundled with Samsung SSDs is a very good one - very simple to use & quite reliable in our experience. In any event there are other disk-cloning programs freely available on the net.

Unless your HP laptop is equipped with two HDD bays you'll be connecting your new SSD as an external USB device during the disk-cloning operation. (The SSD will be serving as the "destination" drive during this operation.) I would suggest you purchase a USB external enclosure in order to install the SSD. For example, here's one kind of model that we're currently using...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4TZ2RD4815&cm_re=orico_6518us3-_-9SIA4TZ2RD4815-_-Product

There are many other USB external enclosures available so you can peruse Newegg and see if any particularly appeal to you. Here's another listing of a different type of device that you may be interested in...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=sata+to+usb+adapter&N=-1&isNodeId=1