Transfering files from 750GB HDD to 1TB HDD

lubiii

Prominent
Apr 9, 2017
6
0
510
So, Im planning on buying a new HDD because my current HDD is nearly 10yr old and its about to die. But I want to transfer all files from the old HDD (including Win7) to the newer one. How will the transfer process look like? Copy + paste? Ive heard of some programs for copying, but are they really needed?

Thanks, waiting! :)
 

marko55

Honorable
Nov 29, 2015
800
0
11,660
You need a clone application like Macrium Reflect (free edition). You'll need both HDDs connected in the computer at the same time though.

Once both HDDs are installed, boot like you normally would, run Macrium Reflect, select your current HDD (and all its partitions) and click the "clone" link just below the partition list. Then select the destination disk (the new one). Once that finishes you can actually just shut down your machine & disconnect the old HDD. When you fire back up your BIOS should automatically choose the new HDD to boot to and you're done.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Clone from old to new, with these steps in this order:
(change "SSD" for "new HDD")

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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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