Clone HDD to SSD then use HDD as storage

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Fhreed

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Jun 25, 2016
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Hey. I'm getting a new SSD and I'm trying to figure these things out.

How I want to do it:
1. Backup HDD to external harddrive
2. Delete files from HDD to make it fit in the SSD
3. Clone the HDD to the SSD
4. Disconnect the HDD and put the SSD in its place.
5. Wipe old HDD to use as storage.

This is where I'm confused, I'm not really sure how to wipe the hard drive, and if its usable as a 2nd harddrive after that. Probably a silly question, but first timer doing this.

Thank you in advance :)
 
Solution
Boogieman_WD
Hey there, Fhreed.

Basically you've got everything right. You can check out this tutorial if you need more help with the process: http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows.

As for wiping the secondary drive, you must remember not to do that until you are sure that you can boot to Windows by using just the SSD (basically to make sure that the cloning process has been successful). Other than that, you'd be good to go by simply opening Disk Management and then deleting all the partition of the HDD (click with the right mouse button on each of them and select "Delete volume...") After that follow this tutorial on how to partition and format the unallocated space of the drive: How...
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MystoPigz

MystoPigz

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May 14, 2015
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You can format the hard drive through Disk Manager. Use the NTFS format. If you are really paranoid about your stuff, you can use DBAN to erase your hard drive (There are tutorials all over the internet). :D

-MystoPigz
 
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Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD

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Jul 31, 2014
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Hey there, Fhreed.

Basically you've got everything right. You can check out this tutorial if you need more help with the process: http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows.

As for wiping the secondary drive, you must remember not to do that until you are sure that you can boot to Windows by using just the SSD (basically to make sure that the cloning process has been successful). Other than that, you'd be good to go by simply opening Disk Management and then deleting all the partition of the HDD (click with the right mouse button on each of them and select "Delete volume...") After that follow this tutorial on how to partition and format the unallocated space of the drive: How to partition and format a drive on Windows and Mac OSX.

edit: Oops, looks like you've already been given a suggestion while I was typing. :)

Hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Boogieman_WD
 
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Solution
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,307
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1. Buy a Samsung evo ssd of the capacity you need.
2. Use the free Samsung data migration app to move your os, programs and files to the new ssd.
If you have insufficient space, the utility will let you omit large folders you specify from the migration.
3. When done, replace the hard drive with the new ssd and boot.
4. You can if you wish reattach the hard drive and all your data files will be available to you.
You can delete the windows folders and whatever to reclaim space for storage.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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4a. Verify it actually boots with the new drive on its own
4b. Reboot, just to check
Now you can proceed to step 5.
 
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harvito87

Prominent
Apr 27, 2017
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510
After ssd is working can i reatach the hhd without formating and use it as storage but also as backup in case ssd show any failure in future? i want to be protected in any case it fail, i dont want to lose the partitions that laptop brings.?




 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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You've latched onto a year old thread.
Please start a new one, and we can assuredly point you in the proper direction.
(and let me know what thread it is)
 
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harvito87

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Apr 27, 2017
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Eveyrthing works like a charm, just 1 problem everything was clonee except the winretool partition. I was trying to reset windows in the new ssd to be sure everything works and said not available recovery enviroment. I dont know why that partition wasnt copied. I used minitool wizard.

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Then you did it wrong or used the wrong tool.
Generally, all the current cloning tools allow you to select which partitions you wan.t If you didn't select ALL of them...that is what happens.
 
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harvito87

Prominent
Apr 27, 2017
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510


Yes it does copy everything except that part, i will try again using macrium reflect, or can you recommend me one?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Macrium will absolutely work.
It shows you all the partitions on the drive. Be sure they are all checked.

Specific procedures here:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the original boot partitions, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
-----------------------------
 
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