How to move Windows to SSD from HDD?

If you don't want to deal with migration software then you're only left with a clean reinstallation of Windows.

Use Acronis True Image.

I'm assuming the image of the data on the HDD is less than the capacity of the SSD.

It will not mess up the SSD. You don't want to migrate programs, you want to create a bootable backup of the HDD.

If the HDD has more data than the SSD can hold, it gets harder.

2 options: Clean install or Migrate

1. Clean install - This requires that you have the install media and the license key for your OS
Where did this Windows 10 come from? (it makes a difference)

2. Migrate - This requires that the total used space on the current drive be significantly smaller than the size of the SSD> For instance, going to a 250GB SSD, you want the total used space to be below 200GB.


So...what do you have?

That is an unavoidable problem, you can't fit more data onto the disk than it's capacity. I always prefer a clean install but that can be complicated and expensive if you don't have installation media and a activatable product key. An internet search on the topic of how to install windows may lead you to a preferred method (there are actually several ways depending on the situation).

As far as the migration cloning bigger to smaller... The way to do this is to relocate all of the "fluff" to somewhere else like an external drive, at least for the time being. "Fluff" being documents, movies, music, pictures, game files etc. The next thing you will need to do is shrink the disk via disk management.

Windows key+x > Disk Management > Right click desired drive > Shrink Volume > (wait) |

Then you will come to a prompt that will query you to decide on an amount to shrink the drive buy "Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB:" I would not shrink the maximum amount, I typically go to half the size of the target drive (for example if moving to a 250GB drive, I would shrink the one I want to move to the 250GB drive to say about 120GB or so if I can). You can expand it back out afterwards.

If the partition is larger than the target drive then you may run into an "unmovable file" issue. This is where the OS (for some reason) is not capable of moving certain the files from a particular sector to another. I've had this problem before trying to clone/migrate an os from a much larger partition on one drive to a much small smaller partition on another drive. Even though the data would fit, it can't do it because of partition size. An internet search of "can't shrink windows partition" or similar will give you a lot of info to try if this happens. I don't want to go too far into this as it can get pretty daunting sometimes.

If you're at the point where the drive you want to clone can fit onto the one you want to move it to, there are a few good options. Samsung data migration is made to do just this and from personal experience seems to work like it's supposed to. There are also imaging/cloning software like acronis you can use but they cost a few bucks.

I would highly recommend installing the SSD first and make sure windows performs an initial format (if new out of the box). Once it shows up and is initially formatted you need to do a quick scan for hardware changes via device manager (fast way to catch hardware hang ups).

Windows key+x > Device Manager > Action > Scan for hardware changes |

Make sure the drive shows up under the Disk drives tree and then go here: http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/global/html/support/downloads.html

Make sure you're drive is up to date with the latest drivers and firmware (and other Samsung SSD software is there too).

Before doing anything, I would turn off write caching policies on all the drives

Device manager > Disk Drives > Right click > Properties > Policies tab > uncheck all boxes (restart computer for it to take effect)

Once the computer is back on repeat the previous step minus the box checking and make sure write caching policy is not enabled on any drive. Then do a disk check on the OS drive and the one you want to move it to.

This PC > Right Click (drive) > Properties > Tools > Check > Scan Drive (will probably say you don't need to scan it but do it anyway)

After you know the disk is in good shape and you're ready to go, it would be up to you to decide on the actual method. I would go with a known well reviewed program like Acronis or one that is specifically for doing this type of transfer like Samsung data migration. Before doing the actual cloning or migration I would highly recommend that you turn off the computer and follow ESD procedures while you unhook ALL SATA devices both the sata cable and the power to them. Except of course for the drive with the OS on it and the new one you want to move it to. Turn the computer back on and make sure everything still looks like it should (minus the stuff you disconnected) and do another scan for hardware changes just be be sure.

I feel like i've missed something but that's the jist of how I go about data migration/cloning.

As for the above, you don't need to get the actual partition to a size below the new SSD, just the actual used space.

The current migration tools will only move the actual used space, not the whole partition size.

You will need the license key.

No, it's not on the disk, unless it is actually printed on the surface.

But....which drive is the OS on?

About 1/2way down - Software Licenses

OK...so....

We can do a whole new install of Win 10 on the new drive. And you won't actually even need that license key.

Go here, download the MediaCreation tool from MS.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Install and run that.
Create either a USB install, or download an ISO file and create a DVD.

Disconnect ALL drives except the new SSD
Boot from the install media you created, and install the OS on the SSD.
When it asks for a license key, Skip.I believe it asks twice.
You don't need to enter the license key, because your hardware is already registered at the mothership from the original Win 10 Upgrade.
At the end of the process, it should report as Activated.

After it is all working on the SSD, reconnect your other drives, and do what you need with them.
You will have to reinstall all your applications. Steam games you probably won't have to.

^^^ This is ultimately the best option without buying a new copy of WIN10. You will have to reinstall all of your stuff, but as long as you have the products keys for anything proprietary it's just a matter getting it your stuff on the new drive.