Data transfer from HDD to SSD without reinstallation of O/S

pattang5689

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Dec 30, 2016
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I just have one general question regarding data transfer due to the fact that my O/S which is a Windows 10 and it is currently installed on a 500G HDD and I would like to upgrade it to a 500G SSD. So I am just wondering if I can only transfer data which includes the O/S to SSD from HDD completely without the trouble of reinstalling the O/S because my window 10 is a free upgrade from window 8.1 and I can only reinstall 8.1 if I have to and the one year free upgrade period from Microsoft has ended. So if you have any great solutions with regards to this matter, please let me know. Thanks.
 

George Mulligan

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Sep 20, 2014
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Most SSDs come with "migration" software that will allow you to transfer the OS as well data. I am familiar with Samsung migration software, which works well...but again most if not all brands have such a thing. You might research the SSD manufacturers you are considering to get feedback on their respective migration tools.
 

pattang5689

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Dec 30, 2016
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First of all, thank you for your answer. However, I would like to find out more detail regarding your solution if possible. This so-called "migration" software that potentially allows me to transfer the O/S as well as data from HDD to SSD - is it absolutely safe to do so? Are there any important factors that I should be aware of while doing this procedure? Are there any particular brand of SSDs you would recommend that specializes in this figure? Thank you very much. I am looking forward to hearing from you again.
 

pattang5689

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Dec 30, 2016
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First of all, thank you very much for your reply. I do appreciate it very much. I logged into this website for more information and it is to my understanding that this free upgrade is only available for "assistive technologies". What is assistive technology and how do I find out if I am qualified under such category? Thank you. I am looking forward to hearing from you again.

 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator


That has been used & abused - and I believe was being taken offline, so I don't know if you could still 'upgrade' via that method anyway.

FWIW, you don't need to reinstall 8.1, if you've upgraded to W10 (and it's activated), you have 'digital entitlement' on the device, and you can clean install W10 on your SSD.

There are many free programs (most SSDs come with something) to clone you HDD to SSD, but I would recommend the clean install.
 

pattang5689

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Dec 30, 2016
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First of all, thank you very much for your great advice. I will definitely try this out because it sounds professional very much. Are there any other factors which I should keep in mind while doing this, please?

 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Not really, other than you'll need to reinstall drivers/programs etc.

Download the Windows 10 ISO here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10
And create bootable media. Boot from it, follow the prompts. Skip when it asks for a key (because of the digital entitlement, it's reactivate once you're connected to the internet).

Install your drivers (from the motherboard vendors website), then reinstall your programs. Migrate any data you want to save from the HDD to the SSD, then you can safely format the HDD and use it as secondary storage.
 

pattang5689

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Dec 30, 2016
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Thank you very much for your reply. I would like to clarify one thing, please - I do have digital entitlement license and my windows 10 is activated. So, I guess I can download windows 10 and activate it by the key that comes with window 8.1, right? Thanks.

 
pattang...
Let me ask you a simple question, OK?

If some "magic dust" could be sprinkled over your present 500 GB HDD that contains your OS + all your other data, and as a result of that "magic dust" the 500 GB SSD that you've just purchased (or plan to purchase) would be a precise duplicate of your 500 GB HDD in that it would contain all the data presently on the HDD and the SSD would function exactly the same (except faster, of course!), would that be satisfactory to you?

And you would still have the 500 GB HDD available to you just the way it is now.

Is that your wish?
 

pattang5689

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Dec 30, 2016
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Hi, is the "magic dust " Macrium reflect (Samsung Migration)?