Will Windows automatically start using my SSD as the new C: after cloning?

[Nantes]

I have bought a 256 GB Samsung SSD. The manual recommends that I clone my current drive using their software while having the SSD connected via a USB/SATA cable, which isn't included in the packaging (thanks, Samsung, very thoughful!). So I thought of connecting the SSD via SATA/SATA and clone my C: partition to it using Macrium Reflect. I currently have two 1 TB HDDs: the first comprises partitions C: (100 GB) and D: (900 GB), and the second makes up partitition E:.

So here's my question: when I clone my C: partition and restart the computer, what will happen? Will the SSD magically take over partition C:, meaning that the old partition C: will become a new partition? Or will the SSD instead become the new partition (with the same data as on C: )? In the second case, how would I proceed to make the HDD's and the SSD's partitions switch places?

Btw, I have cleaned and defragmented my C: drive in preparation for the cloning, so no need to recommend those two measures
In case it matters, I'm running Windows 7 64 bit.

 

[IntelTurtleFan]

I do not like the cloning utility's if you can backup your stuff just do a clean install of Windows and format your current drive (the hdd). You do not have to worry about junk/viruses being moved over or more issues with cloning utility's.

 

[USAFRet]

Assuming your current data size is significantly less than your new SSD:

Connecting the new drive via SATA is fine. Sometimes the Samsung drives include the USB cable, sometimes not.
Not required. SATA connection is fine.

Assuming the migration goes OK, power off, disconnect the old HDD.
Power up, and check your boot order, SSD first.
Verify the SSD is now the C drive.
If it all boots up OK, then you are good to go.

 

[USAFRet]

Personally, I prefer a clean install on a new SSD, but usually the cloning thing works. Usually.

 

[Nantes]

disconnect the old HDD.

I can't stop using it, because the D: partition is also on the same HDD as C:, and several programs and hundreds of GBs of data are installed into partition D:. Is it possible to do without disconnecting the HDD?

And I would like to avoid a fresh install, Windows 10 is around the corner and I'd rather go through all the boring "reinstall everything" trouble when I get Windows 10.

 

[USAFRet]

disconnect the old HDD.

I can't stop using it, because the D: partition is also on the same HDD as C:, and several programs and hundreds of GBs of data are installed into partition D:. Is it possible to do without disconnecting the HDD?

And I would like to avoid a fresh install, Windows 10 is around the corner and I'd rather go through all the boring "reinstall everything" trouble when I get Windows 10.

Cloning to a new SSD:
How large is your current C partition?
How large is the SSD?

 

[Nantes]

Cloning to a new SSD:
How large is your current C partition?
How large is the SSD?

Only 40 GB of data on C: currently, vs. 256 GB for the SSD. Partition D: on the other hand (which is on the same HDD as C has around 500 GB of data, if that matters. I just want to transfer C: to the SSD and keep D: on its current HDD.

 

[USAFRet]

Cloning to a new SSD:
How large is your current C partition?
How large is the SSD?

Only 40 GB of data on C: currently, vs. 256 GB for the SSD. Partition D: on the other hand (which is on the same HDD as C has around 500 GB of data, if that matters. I just want to transfer C: to the SSD and keep D: on its current HDD.

OK, then.
Clone to the new drive. C partition AND the System Reserved partition (boot info)
Disconnect the HDD, and see if it boots properly.
Swap drive letters around as needed.

 

[Nantes]

OK, then.
Clone to the new drive. C partition AND the System Reserved partition (boot info)
Disconnect the HDD, and see if it boots properly.
Swap drive letters around as needed.

Since a LOT of my programs are installed on D:, and I'll disconnect that HDD, will Windows fail because it will try to load startup programs that are no longer there?
If not, then I just need to confirm it boots properly, turn it off and reconnect that HDD, correct?

 

[USAFRet]

OK, then.
Clone to the new drive. C partition AND the System Reserved partition (boot info)
Disconnect the HDD, and see if it boots properly.
Swap drive letters around as needed.

Since a LOT of my programs are installed on D:, and I'll disconnect that HDD, will Windows fail because it will try to load startup programs that are no longer there?
If not, then I just need to confirm it boots properly, turn it off and reconnect that HDD, correct?

Currently, you have 2 partitions, C and D, on one drive.
After the migration operation (assuming all works OK), you will have 3.
C on the SSD, and 2 others on the old HDD.
What drive letters will they be? Maybe D (old C) and E (old D).

Adjust drive letters as needed, after you verify the system actually boots from the cloned C on the SSD.
Don't worry about it not finding something that used to exist on the old D partition....you're just looking for it actually booting into the OS.

 

[Nantes]

Ok, here's what I'll do shortly:

1- Turn off PC and install SSD, as well as turn on ACHI in BIOS
2- Turn PC back on and clone C: and system reserved partition to the SSD with Macrium
3- Turn off PC and disconnect the HDD of C: and D:, adjusting the boot order to load from SSD
4- Wait to see if Windows loads, then turn it off and reconnect the HDD
5- Rearrange partitions as needed after

If something's wrong please say it quick 😛

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, here's what I'll do shortly:

1- Turn off PC and install SSD, as well as turn on ACHI in BIOS
2- Turn PC back on and clone C: and system reserved partition to the SSD with Macrium
3- Turn off PC and disconnect the HDD of C: and D:, adjusting the boot order to load from SSD
4- Wait to see if Windows loads, then turn it off and reconnect the HDD
5- Rearrange partitions as needed after

If something's wrong please say it quick 😛

Yes, that is a good procedure.
See if it boots.

 

[ArtPog]

1. I can't imagine your SATA controllers aren't already set to AHCI mode but there's no harm in checking.

2. The Samsung Data Migration program bundled with your Samsung SSD is an excellent program and it's specifically designed for cloning data to Samsung SSDs. It's easy to use and quite reliable in our experience. However, if you're comfortable with using the Macrium program so be it.

3. After the disk-cloning operation it would be a good idea to connect the SSD to your motherboard's first SATA port (connector) which will be designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1. It's probably best at this point to disconnect the previous boot HDD from the system prior to booting to the newly cloned SSD.

4. Following a successful boot to the SSD connect your secondary 1 TB HDD containing your programs & other data to any following SATA port. Boot the system to determine all is well.

5. I would advise you *not* to make any major modifications to your former boot drive until you've worked with your SSD for some time in order to determine it's performing without any problems whatsoever.

 

[Nantes]

Yipee! Eureka! It works! Thanks everyone! After optimizations with Samsung Magician, it's benchmarking at 552 read and 510 MB/s write speeds. Beautiful! @ArtPog, answers in bold below.

1. I can't imagine your SATA controllers aren't already set to AHCI mode but there's no harm in checking.

Yup, they were.

2. The Samsung Data Migration program bundled with your Samsung SSD is an excellent program and it's specifically designed for cloning data to Samsung SSDs. It's easy to use and quite reliable in our experience. However, if you're comfortable with using the Macrium program so be it.

Used Macrium without any issues. The Samsung one seemed to require a USB/SATA cable, that's why I didn't use it.

3. After the disk-cloning operation it would be a good idea to connect the SSD to your motherboard's first SATA port (connector) which will be designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1. It's probably best at this point to disconnect the previous boot HDD from the system prior to booting to the newly cloned SSD.

There were too many wires in the way of easily accessing the old HDD, so I just said "fuck it" and didn't disconnect it. My partition manager and Samsung Magician both indicated that the C: drive was the SSD, so it all went well!

4. Following a successful boot to the SSD connect your secondary 1 TB HDD containing your programs & other data to any following SATA port. Boot the system to determine all is well.

No need, luckily it seems it was already connected to the secondary SATA port from the start.

5. I would advise you *not* to make any major modifications to your former boot drive until you've worked with your SSD for some time in order to determine it's performing without any problems whatsoever.

Too late, already deleted all old C: data from the HDD 😛 I did make an image backup of it before though, so no biggie if the SSD fails.

 

[USAFRet]

Used Macrium without any issues. The Samsung one seemed to require a USB/SATA cable, that's why I didn't use it.

For future reference, the Samsung application does NOT require use of the USB/SATA cable. It works however the drives are connected.
That cable is aimed at laptop users, with no secondary SATA connection.