How to add second SSD, and then make it the boot SSD.

Rob_95 · Dec 15, 2018

I currently have a 140GB SSD as my boot drive and I want to install a second SSD (250 GB), and put all of the data from my first SSD onto the new one. Then I want to clear the old SSD and just use it for storage. What is the best way to go about this? Thanks.

[OS: Windows 10]

Colif · Dec 16, 2018

1. remove old ssd from PC, just put the new ssd in
2. install win 10 on new ssd - see guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html
3. once you know it boots by itself (restart a few times), turn PC off and put old ssd back into PC as well
4. look in bios and make sure old ssd not showing in boot order, remove if it is
5. Copy all the data you want to save off old ssd onto new one

6. Once you sure you have everything off old one, run diskpart and wipe drive (see below)

to wipe drive,
go to settings/update & security/recovery
under advanced startup, click restart now button
this loads blue menu
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose command prompt
type diskpart and press enter
type list disk and press enter
this shows all drives available, DVD/USB and ssd, make note of old ssd number
type Select disk X - where X is the number of the ssd you want to wipe, change X to that number and press enter
once the drive you want to wipe on is chosen, type Clean
restart PC and then use Disk Management to partition and format the ssd again so windows can use it

USAFRet · Dec 16, 2018

2 options:

1. A clean install as noted above
or
2. A clone from the old drive to the new drive.

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

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
-----------------------------

Rob_95 · Dec 21, 2018

USAFRet :

2 options:

1. A clean install as noted above
or
2. A clone from the old drive to the new drive.

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

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
-----------------------------

So I cloned to the new SSD and then booted after disconnecting the old one. Everything boots fine, but the new SSD shows up as only being 140GB instead of the 250GB that it actually is. Is there some way it needs to be repartitioned or something? Thanks.

USAFRet · Dec 21, 2018

Rob_95 :

The existing partition needs to be extended into the unused space.
If the two partitions are right next to each other, you can do this in Disk Management.
If they are not right next to each other, you'll have to use a 3rd party tool, like Minitool Partition Wizard.

Please show us a screencap of your current Disk Management window for verification.

Rob_95 · Dec 21, 2018

USAFRet :

Rob_95 :

The existing partition needs to be extended into the unused space.
If the two partitions are right next to each other, you can do this in Disk Management.
If they are not right next to each other, you'll have to use a 3rd party tool, like Minitool Partition Wizard.

Please show us a screencap of your current Disk Management window for verification.

Here's what I've got:
https://imgur.com/a/JFtWtNd

USAFRet · Dec 21, 2018

Rob_95 :

USAFRet :

Here's what I've got:
https://imgur.com/a/JFtWtNd

You should be able to Extend that to the partition to the right.
What options does it give you if you Right Click the C partition?

Rob_95 · Dec 21, 2018

USAFRet :

Rob_95 :

You should be able to Extend that to the partition to the right.
What options does it give you if you Right Click the C partition?

https://imgur.com/gDfwua9

USAFRet · Dec 21, 2018

Rob_95 :

Extend Volume is what you want.
That extends the current C partition, to include the 121GB unallocated space to the right.

Rob_95 · Dec 21, 2018

USAFRet :

It seems to have worked, thanks. One more question: after booting with the new SSD every file on my desktop (including the screen shots I just took) have 2 blue arrows in the corner signifying compression. Do you know why this is the case? Do I need to do anything about it?

USAFRet · Dec 21, 2018

Rob_95 :

In File Explorer, right click on the C drive and select Properties.
Near the bottom is the "Compress this drive..." selected?

Was that selected on the original drive?

Rob_95 · Dec 21, 2018

USAFRet :

Rob_95 :

In File Explorer, right click on the C drive and select Properties.
Near the bottom is the "Compress this drive..." selected?

Was that selected on the original drive?

It is not selected now, nor was it selected previously.

USAFRet · Dec 21, 2018

Rob_95 :

USAFRet :

It is not selected now, nor was it selected previously.

hmm....
I've never seen that "2 blue arrows" thing.
No idea.

Search

How to add second SSD, and then make it the boot SSD.

Rob_95

Prominent

Colif

Colif

Win 11 Master

USAFRet

Titan

Rob_95

Prominent

USAFRet

Titan

Rob_95

Prominent

USAFRet

Titan

Rob_95

Prominent

USAFRet

Titan

Rob_95

Prominent

USAFRet

Titan

Rob_95

Prominent

USAFRet

Titan

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page