How to clone the HDD that contains only program files

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Shelha

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Jun 16, 2013
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Hello,

I am trying to transfer/copy/clone the program files from one HDD to another. My set up is as follows:

-SSD 128GB (C:\drive) That contains Win 7 Professional
-HDD 3TB (G:\drive) That contains all the files of the programs I have installed in the machine (games, utilities, iTunes, etc.)
-HDD 500GB (D:\drive) This drive is empty

So the idea is to transfer all the files from the 3TB HDD (G:\), they occupy about 350GB of space to the 500GB (D:\) drive, I would reassign the drive letters so the programs run correctly.

I have searched the net and there is no straight forward way to do this, a simple copy and paste operation does not seem like the way to go since there are hidden files involved; could anybody point me in the right direction to accomplish this? Is it even possible to do?

Many websites provide instructions on how to migrate your OS to a newer and bigger HDD, but nobody talks about migrating data between 2 non-system HDDs. I hope I explained my situation in a clear manner.

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!
 
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Saga Lout

Saga Lout

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Mar 31, 2010
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The problem is going to be linking the programmes with the associated Application Data from hidden folders in your account's section of the Users folder. You would need to clone the whole of C: and G: to a single disk then move the Program Files, Program Files (x86) (if it's a 64 bit system) and Program Data to another disk if you need space in C:.
 
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S

Shelha

Honorable
Jun 16, 2013
8
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10,510


Thank you for your answer. I am not sure how your method will do the linking, my understanding is that the pointers look at the designation of the drive letter, cloning the drive will ensure that all files, including the hidden ones will be transferred. I just do not see how cloning the 2 drives into one will change the assignments.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Cheers!
 
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TenPc

TenPc

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Jul 11, 2012
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Just copy and paste to the other drive. There should not be much of any sort of requirement, the Program hdd is not anything in particular, it's just a hard drive. Before you stream the files over, unhide all hidden files so that you don't forget anything. When it's all done, you can then just swap the sata connector on the hdd but not on the motherboard.

Edit - Don't change the drive letters, you just add the 500gb to the external port or add it internally, then copy and paste to the 500gb then use the connector on the tb hdd for the 500gb drive. The system will recognise the change in volume and will do what is required.
 
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