Win 10 Transfer HD to SSD - how to make SSD bootable

[EMahnYo]

My computer was originally Windows 8, but got converted to Windows 10 while the free option was available from Microsoft.

I am trying to move the current Windows 10 install from the HD it is on to a new SSD. I cloned the HD to the SSD using EaseUS, but the computer won't boot from the SSD. I physically disconnected the HD, but when I try to boot it says no bootable disk is present.

I don't have Windows 10 install discs, only the Windows 8 install discs that came with the computer. How do I make the SSD drive bootable?

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, EMahnYo.

You could try the SSD with a different SATA port and different SATA cables, to see if it pops-up in your BIOS' boot priority menu. Other than that you could try to repeat the migration/cloning process, just to make sure that it was completed successfully. You could give it a go with this tutorial: http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows.
Check the SSD for errors with a diagnostic tool and also you could check for available firmware updates for your model.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how it goes.
Boogieman_WD

 

[EMahnYo]

Hey there, EMahnYo.

You could try the SSD with a different SATA port and different SATA cables, to see if it pops-up in your BIOS' boot priority menu. Other than that you could try to repeat the migration/cloning process, just to make sure that it was completed successfully. You could give it a go with this tutorial: http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows.
Check the SSD for errors with a diagnostic tool and also you could check for available firmware updates for your model.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how it goes.
Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD, thanks for your post.

I can take a look at the tutorial later tonight.

So here's the thing - the clone seems to have worked fine with respect to data. If I boot from the HD and leave the SSD plugged in, all the files and folder look just like they should on the SSD.

Some more background:
When I google about cloning system drives from HD to SSD, I see where as a final step people use their Windows install disk to "repair" the SSD in order to make it bootable. The thing is, I don't have Windows 10 install discs since the install was Windows 8. I tried to use the Windows 8 install disc, but it had confusing messages and I expect that would not work anyway.

UPDATE:
I forgot to mention, I have tried multiple SATA ports and they have the same outcome.

 

[EMahnYo]

UPDATE:
After doing some more digging, I discovered that I needed to clone the entire disk rather than just the primary partition. Once I did that, the cloned disk booted fine.

I discovered one other thing, that turned out to not be needed here, but useful nonetheless. In order to create Windows 10 installation disc, go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Select: Using the tool to create installation media...

Good to know and now I've done that. But it was not needed to make the cloned SSD bootable.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Sorry for the late reply.

Good job on dealing with everything by yourself! Great work indeed!

For some reason I can't open the link you've posted, but from what you've quoted I think I get the idea. This is for the installation media. You use it to create a bootable flash drive or a DVD, which you can use to to make a fresh install of Windows. It really has nothing to do with making internal drives bootable and that's why you found it to be irrelevant in your case.

Anyway, you could take a look at those tips for new SSD users: https://www.maketecheasier.com/12-things-you-must-do-when-running-a-solid-state-drive-in-windows-7/. Even though it says Win 7, they are still viable for the newer versions as well. Please let me know if you have questions regarding anything that might not be clear and I'll try my best to explain it.

Cheers!