Moving an HDD's contents (including OS)

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Thouroboros

Thouroboros

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Hello once again

I was wondering if it is at all possible to move/mirror an HDD onto another, larger HDD. I am currently using a 250gb WD Blue, but want my main drive to be a 1 or 2TB. I don't want to lose everything as well as my OS since its such a long process to download and re-install everything.

I found this as a possible solution: http://www.avoiderrors.net/transfer-windows-and-installed-data-to-another-hard-drive/

Also, if someone could recommend a cheap (preferably 2TB) HDD, that'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
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Easy way to transfer contents of one HD to another is to use disk imaging software. They transfer everything, and most will also increase your main partition size if you're going to a larger hard drive. Look at Acronis True Image software (http://www.acronis.com) as an example.

2nd: a cheap 2TB hard drive - Newegg has the 2TB Seagate Barracuda for $75 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834).
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2Be_or_Not2Be

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Easy way to transfer contents of one HD to another is to use disk imaging software. They transfer everything, and most will also increase your main partition size if you're going to a larger hard drive. Look at Acronis True Image software (http://www.acronis.com) as an example.

2nd: a cheap 2TB hard drive - Newegg has the 2TB Seagate Barracuda for $75 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834).
 
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Thouroboros

Thouroboros

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So would this effectively give me my current HDD and OS on a new drive? No issues etc?
 
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2Be_or_Not2Be

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While there are no guarantees, going from 250GB to 2TB is relatively an easy task for virtually all drive-imaging solutions. So yes, it should give you the same Windows setup as you have always run, except with more space available.

Now, if you were going to a 6TB drive, who knows - you might have some issues.
 
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Thouroboros

Thouroboros

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My HDD has been shipped and is on its way. I shall post here whether or not the transfer is successful.

Just one last question: I have another 500gb HDD for storage. For the sake of not wanting to buy more cables etc, can I simply unplug it, do my thing, and plug it back in when I have done the transfer?

Thanks ^^
 
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2Be_or_Not2Be

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Sure, you can definitely do that. Use it as a data backup.
 
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Thouroboros

Thouroboros

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I should probably have mentioned that its full of movies etc. Will it still work if I remove it, do the change, and then stick it back in?
 
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2Be_or_Not2Be

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It should. Granted, I don't know exactly how your machine is set up, but if that secondary 500GB drive is accessible through a drive letter and doesn't have anything custom about it, then it should be fine as soon as you plug it back in.
 
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Thouroboros

Thouroboros

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The main drive with my OS on it is my C/ and the 500gb is the D/ drive. I have decided to go with Macrium Reflect to clone the drive. Good option?
 
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Hawkeye22

Hawkeye22

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Check your (new) drive manufacturer's web site, They sometimes include free cloning tools. Macrium Reflect should work fine too.

Also, unattaching your 500Gb drive temporarily should be fine. I just cloned my system drive a few weeks ago. I disconnected/reconnected three drives during the process with no ill effects.
 
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Thouroboros

Thouroboros

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I bought the following HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834
 
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Thouroboros

Thouroboros

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Macrium Reflect works perfectly. I accidentally set the new 2TB to the same capacity as my 250gb HDD, but that was easily fixed, and after a second do-over, I'm happy to announce that everything is working, Thanks for the help, everyone! ^^
 
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