Going from a SSD back to a HDD
- Thread starter ManOfArc
- Start date
Solution
dextermat
Splendid
- Sep 21, 2007
- 4,957
- 0
- 24,960
Most likely it should work but you will have windows activation problem(cannot have 2 windows with same key),
Alignment is valid for HDD to SSD, but not for SSD to HDD.
If you have another valid key, clone and change the key after.
Anyway, try it, the worse that can happen is that the cloned disk won't boot.
Alignment is valid for HDD to SSD, but not for SSD to HDD.
If you have another valid key, clone and change the key after.
Anyway, try it, the worse that can happen is that the cloned disk won't boot.
Thanks. I was planning on installing a different copy of Windows on the SSD after I took it out of the original machine. Just the cloned HDD would have that license on it.
What do you mean "Alignment is valid for HDD to SSD, but not for SSD to HDD"? Don't you have that backwards? Besides, I can fix alignment if needed with Mini Tool Partition Wizard.
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,456
- 17,916
- 184,590
It should work.
I've done it exactly like that (SSD->HDD) with no problems.
No special settings or anything.
(exact same steps, just subst SSD for HDD)
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
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
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the 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 450MB Recovery Partition, 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
-----------------------------
I've done it exactly like that (SSD->HDD) with no problems.
No special settings or anything.
(exact same steps, just subst SSD for HDD)
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
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
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the 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 450MB Recovery Partition, 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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