HDD to SSD

[WillyB]

I have just upgraded my Win 7 to Win 10. I have also just bought an SSD from which I want to run the OS.

I have searched online for the best way to do this but have found conflicting methods and I am now not sure which way to do it.

I do not have the Win 7 disc as the OS was already loaded when I bought the computer.

Can someone please point me at a foolproof way of doing this

Thanks.

 

[andyscott]

Acronis True image works well I have heard on the jungle drums.

 

[WillyB]

Thanks Andy. Would that not just clone the whole HDD? I only really want the OS on the SSD.

 

[kennysarmy]

My SSD came with cloning software - can't you clone the whole drive over - verify it's fine then format the old drive and copy over the data you want on the old HDD

Always have a good backup before you begin though!

 

[Sharky]

Just install the SSD as the boot device and load W10 on to that cleanly.

 

[Mikesphotaes]

If you have the Win 7 number sticker on your PC, just download from MS.

If you are happy with Win 10, try a wee Google to determine your OS number and download Win 10 from MS.

 

[redsnappa]

Macrium Reflect is a free disk cloning software that works.
If you have programs installed there is no way just to clone the OS.

 

[Xenon54]

If it was me I'd do a fresh install of win 10 on the SSD. You'll have to go through the hassle of re-installing all the programs and updates but I always think this is a good idea every few years anyhow. PCs get cluttered over time plus it gives you a chance to re-organise everything and give yourself a clean base for the next few years.

 

[WillyB]

Thanks for all the help, I will see what I can do.

 

[studioworks]

Now you've upgraded to windows 10 your computer will of been given a new key for it, personally I like to make sure and use software to show that key and make a note of it. Then using windows media creator you can download the windows 10 installation, putting it onto either USB or dvd and then a nice clean install.

And best thing you did going to an SSD, made a more noticable difference than when I changed from an i3 with 2gb ram to a i7 with 16gb.

 

[WillyB]

Thanks studioworks. What software will show the key?

 

[WillyB]

Appreciate all the help given, thank you very much.

 

[studioworks]

Thanks studioworks. What software will show the key?

I always tend to use produkey, if you google it plenty of places to download.

 

[studioworks]

Thanks studioworks. What software will show the key?

I always tend to use produkey, if you google it plenty of places to download.

 

[WillyB]

Ok, thanks.

 

[Glyn Carnell]

Casper should clone the whole image....

 

[WillyB]

Thanks, but the problem with cloning my HDD is that I doubt it will all fit on the SSD. For that reason I only want the OS and perhaps one or two other bits and pieces.

 

[littleted]

i would have a spring clean first, or failing that, try install windows 10 cleanly on the SSD and run the old drive as a slave either via SATA in your desktop, or if your running a laptop use these i have one there fine..


http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/...=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=products

 

[WillyB]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have just found some software by Paragon called Paragon Migrate OS to SSD 4. Sounds as if will do just what I require. Has anyone any experience of it?

 

[ancient_mariner]

I've done something similar, migrating W8.1 to W10, by replacing the cache drive in my Dell XPS with a 256Gb mSATA card, migrating the original HDD to W10 first to activate it, then doing a fresh install of W10 on the mSATA card. I would quite like to retain the old drive and revert to W8.1 to retain it as a spare bootable drive - does anyone know if I do revert it to W8.1 whether a) it will de-activate the new W10 drive or b) whether Microsoft will deactivate the old copy of windows because of the W10 upgrade?

Now I've been using it for a bit I can't say that I either like or dislike it especially - it's just more windows with minor variations and less user control.