Moving Windows to a new SSD

Ltrialex on 19/12/2018 - 20:52
Last edited 19/12/2018 - 20:52

Hey guys,

Parents have a somewhat older computer that is getting quite slow. Being older themselves, they [1] don't want to spend money on a whole new computer and [2] don't like things to change.

With all the recent deals on SSDs, it seems like it might be a reasonable idea to install a new SSD, and move Windows 10 to it, keeping all their other data on the HDD.

Quite a few sites say that if you have the retail version of windows (I checked - my parents do) as opposed to an OEM copy, you can create/move windows to a new drive.

This kinda does seem like something that might go wrong though, and then I'd never hear the end of it. Does anyone have experience with moving Windows 10 to a new drive?

Thanks!

Alex

Computing Computer Component SSD Windows

Comments

  • dcep on 19/12/2018 - 21:04
    +2

    did you mean clone copy of the hdd to new ssd ?

    if cloning , it'll be exactly the same as before , nothing will go wrong.

    free software like macrium reflect will do.

    • trialex on 20/12/2018 - 06:01

      Cool thanks for the reply and software recommendation

  • grumps on 19/12/2018 - 21:05
    +6

    buy a samsung ssd use the samsung data migration software. super simple cant go wrong

    • oscargamer on 19/12/2018 - 21:17

      I can vouch for this

    • geech on 19/12/2018 - 21:24

      Samsung migration software is easy. You shouldn’t need to do any kind of Windows reactivation either.

      Alternatively you can use a free program like clonezilla (available on the very handy ultimate boot CD - http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ ) but the Samsung one is pretty straight forward.

      For this to work, you’ll need to have an SSD that is bigger than the space consumed on the existing hard drive. Once you’ve migrated over, you can wipe the original drive and configure it as a 2nd data drive if you wish

    • trialex on 20/12/2018 - 06:02

      Thanks - I'll check it out.

      CAN'T go wrong seems like a challenge to me :-)

    • notme53 on 20/12/2018 - 06:46

      As long as the SSD is the same size or bigger than the existing HDD then I can recommend this as well. I used it for my parents-in-law's computer and it was very simple & surprisingly quick (I expected hours, took about 45min)

  • Caped Baldy on 19/12/2018 - 21:21

    As far as I know it doesn't matter.

    How big is the SSD and HDD? as most SSDs have smaller capacity you'll have to remove/transfer file from the HDD

    This is a basic guide - google is your friend.
    You will need to plug in both the SSD and HDD at the same time - I've done it via the motherboard but it may be possible with a usb SSD enclosure.
    Get some software and clone the drive - easeus is an example
    Turn off the computer and remove the HDD
    Start the computer and enter BIOS
    Change the primary boot drive.

    I had trouble when I helped my friend do this and changed the primary drive with both plugged in.

    Good luck!

    • trialex on 20/12/2018 - 06:03

      It's a 500gb HDD. The 1Tb SSD on the front page yesterday made me consider the option more seriously. I had planned on only using the SSD for Windows…

    • trialex on 20/12/2018 - 06:04

      Thanks - that was pretty much what I thought was involved - -thanks for the software recommendation.

    • greatlamp on 20/12/2018 - 13:52

      if you unplug the old drive and put the cloned drive in its place (plugged into the same port) you probably won't need to go into BIOS at all

  • altomic on 20/12/2018 - 00:57
    +1

    how large is the current HDD?

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