Cloning laptop hdd to SSD

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CallumP227

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Aug 3, 2013
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So i have purchased a 256gb ssd for my laptop and was wondering how to clone it, i believe my ssd comes with cloning software but, i don't know if there's any precautionary steps i should take first other than backing up.
The main question i have though is as my laptop is only usb 2 would it be quicker to install my laptop hdd and my new ssd into my desktop and clone them that way. or just do it over USB 2.0 (via an enclosure that i have already purchased)

Getting into the details i have bought a crucial mx100 256gb ssd and my laptop hdd is a 5400rpm 320gb hdd however only 95gb of it is used.|
Many thanks for reading.
 
Solution
snowctrl
This is the simplest way:

Install the cloning software on the laptop

Put the new SSD in an external drive caddy connected by USB

Clone HD to SSD (making sure there is enough space on the SSD first)

Turn off laptop

Switch the drives

Turn on laptop

Taking both the drives out and installing them in a desktop PC will probably work, and may be quicker, but is introducing unknowns....
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snowctrl

snowctrl

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Sep 10, 2013
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This is the simplest way:

Install the cloning software on the laptop

Put the new SSD in an external drive caddy connected by USB

Clone HD to SSD (making sure there is enough space on the SSD first)

Turn off laptop

Switch the drives

Turn on laptop

Taking both the drives out and installing them in a desktop PC will probably work, and may be quicker, but is introducing unknowns....
 
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Solution
SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

Glorious
Jul 30, 2014
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Hey there, CallumP227!

I'd suggest for better and faster performance to do a fresh install of the OS on the SSD instead of cloning. This is the recommended way to go about this because you don't clone all the redundant files coming with your old OS installation.
Moving from a hard drive to an SSD: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2098426/move-from-a-hard-drive-to-an-ssd.html
Migrating your PC to an SSD without reinstalling Windows: http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows
However, if you insist on cloning to the SSD, you can use this cloning software as well: http://www.acronis.com/en-eu/ It's pretty easy to use and gives you the option to choose what gets cloned.
The quickest way though is to do a clean install of the OS and avoid all headaches later. :)

Hope this helped.
SuperSoph_WD
 
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SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

Glorious
Jul 30, 2014
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Well, in this case cloning is indeed your simplest and fastest option.
However, either way I suggest you back up any data that is important to you before performing any kind of data transfer whatsoever.
You can back up to an external drive or a cloud account online, just so you are better safe than sorry.
Check out the links above for more info on how to perform the cloning and you can also check this step-by-step:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-an-SSD-in-Your-Laptop-and-Cloning-Wind/?ALLSTEPS

Hope this helps. Good luck! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
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snowctrl

snowctrl

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If your PC is working fine using the HD, then clone... a fresh install is unnecessary
 
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