Cloning vs Migration

prince_13 · Feb 11, 2017

whats the difference between too ? migrate and clonning ? if i clone my hdd to other hdd the 2 hdd have the same files right ? how bout migrate ? i really dont know what happen if you migrate .

pls i need a software to do this all job coz im building a new pc .(all new components including hdd and ssd).coz i dont want to install windows again coz i lose the serial key .

can i still use the old drive ? does it have os if cloned ?

kango69 · Feb 11, 2017

Migrate would just move the user files like Photos, music, etc.
Cloning would be an exact copy of the HDD with all programs files still intact.
Here is a good free program to use for Cloning.
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
The old hdd will not be erased, all data will still be there, so you can either keep as a backup or format and use as extra storage.

USAFRet · Feb 11, 2017

prince_13 :

Cloning is a bit for bit copy of one drive to another.
Migrate is sort of the same, but doesn't really care about the exact 'bits.

For your purposes, there is no difference.
Steps for a successful clone from one drive to the other:
-----------------------------
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
-----------------------------

prince_13 · Feb 11, 2017

USAFRet :

prince_13 :

Cloning is a bit for bit copy of one drive to another.
Migrate is sort of the same, but doesn't really care about the exact 'bits.

For your purposes, there is no difference.
Steps for a successful clone from one drive to the other:
-----------------------------
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
-----------------------------

so i can copy my drive to other drive right ? so i dont reinstall my os right ?

prince_13 · Feb 11, 2017

kango69 :

if i plug my other drive to new pc it will boot right ?

USAFRet · Feb 11, 2017

prince_13 :

Follow the steps above, yes.

prince_13 · Feb 11, 2017

USAFRet :

if put my other drive to the new pc would it boot up ?

kango69 · Feb 11, 2017

When you install a new drive it needs to Initialized first.
Follow this guide to set it up.
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000588.htm
Then you can use this guide to clone your old drive to the new one with the "Macrium Reflect" software
http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Cloning+a+disk

prince_13 · Feb 12, 2017

kango69 :

which is much safer clonning or migration ?

USAFRet · Feb 12, 2017

prince_13 :

For your purposes, there is no difference. See my steps above, and do exactly that.

prince_13 · Feb 12, 2017

USAFRet :

does this work on oem version of windows ? how bout my new build i already clone my old drive to my drive in my new pc build . but i havent start it yet

USAFRet · Feb 12, 2017

prince_13 :

Yes, it works on OEM Windows.
I'm not quite sure what your second question is.

prince_13 · Feb 12, 2017

USAFRet :

what i mean is in my new cloned drive(cloned from my old hdd with os)will it boot up with a new components ? coz its all new . including mobo .

USAFRet · Feb 12, 2017

prince_13 :

Probably not.
System A, clone that drive to Drive B
Put Drive B into a whole new system is no different that taking the physical drive out of System A, putting it in System B, and hoping it boots up.
It probably won't.

And then you run into licensing issues.

Your new system needs its own clean install, and its own license.

prince_13 · Feb 12, 2017

USAFRet :

prince_13 :

Probably not.
System A, clone that drive to Drive B
Put Drive B into a whole new system is no different that taking the physical drive out of System A, putting it in System B, and hoping it boots up.
It probably won't.

And then you run into licensing issues.

Your new system needs its own clean install, and its own license.

why it wont ?

USAFRet · Feb 12, 2017

prince_13 :

Why won't it boot in a whole different system?
Because Windows is very picky about that. When the OS is installed, it registers specific details about the hardware. Chipset, etc.

Moving a drive with an OS on it, to a whole different system...sometimes it works, sometimes it fails.
Sometimes it works, but with lingering issues later.
You can't fix it, you can't prevent it.

Sometimes.
For best performance, a clean install in new hardware is always recommended.

And you still have licensing issues.
What OS is this?

prince_13 · Feb 12, 2017

USAFRet :

prince_13 :

Why won't it boot in a whole different system?
Because Windows is very picky about that. When the OS is installed, it registers specific details about the hardware. Chipset, etc.

Moving a drive with an OS on it, to a whole different system...sometimes it works, sometimes it fails.
Sometimes it works, but with lingering issues later.
You can't fix it, you can't prevent it.

Sometimes.
For best performance, a clean install in new hardware is always recommended.

And you still have licensing issues.
What OS is this?

windows 7 oem

USAFRet · Feb 12, 2017

prince_13 :

And here comes the licensing issue.
Win 7 OEM will not activate on new hardware. If you call MS, you might get lucky and talk to a kindly soul that will allow that activation.
But they are under no obligation to do so.

prince_13 · Feb 13, 2017

USAFRet :

yea im stuck with my old mobo

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