Adding a SSD and cloning windows installation on existing HDD

Cyrus

Its been a while since i have done something like this, my new laptop had a HDD and no SSD.

I am going to install a SSD and id like to clone the existing windows install and copy it to the ssd and then format the HDD and use as storage.

nowadays whats the easiest and cheapest (freeest !) way of achieving this?

thanks!

riclad

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-free-and-reliable-cloning-tools/


Macrium Reflect Free Edition (Figure touts itself as one of the fastest disk cloning utilities available. This cloning solution supports only Windows file systems, but it does it quite well and has a fairly straightforward user interface. This software does disk imaging and disk cloning, allows you to access images from the file manager, creates a Linux rescue CD, and is compatible with Windows Vista and 7.

Parky2

If you go for Samsung you can get their Samsung Magician Software off their website. You will need a cradle or external drive enclosure if it's for a laptop. Once done you can format the old drive and use it externally.



The Magician SSD management utility is designed to work with all Samsung SSD products, including 470 Series, 750 Series, 830 Series, 840 Series, 850 Series and 950 Series. This software is not compatible with other manufacturer's SSDs

coylemj

Parky2 wrote: »

If you go for Samsung you can get their Samsung Magician Software off their website. You will need a cradle or external drive enclosure if it's for a laptop. Once done you can format the old drive and use it externally.

Another option when buying a Samsung SSD is to buy the kit which includes the migration s/w and a cable to connect the SSD externally while you're doing the migration.

When the migration is complete, you swap the SSD into the laptop and reboot. You can then scrub the HDD and use the cable to connect it as external storage when required. However if you want to use the HDD as permanently mounted storage then an internal cradle or external enclosure would be the preferred option.

aligator_am

In work we install a lot of Crucial SSDs, each comes with a licence code for Acronis True Image 2014 so we have loads of spare licences.

I can send you on a code if you like?

Just checked the copy I have on my machine there and from within Windows it'll allow you to clone the disk, will also allow you to schedule backups (I use it to backup my SSD to my old HDD but this version only allows weekly backups, still better than nothing though and could get you out of a pinch).

ETA: Ah, only spotted now that it's a laptop rather than a PC, but if you have a caddy for the drive then you could still use it.

Cyrus

aligator_am wrote: »

In work we install a lot of Crucial SSDs, each comes with a licence code for Acronis True Image 2014 so we have loads of spare licences.

I can send you on a code if you like?

Just checked the copy I have on my machine there and from within Windows it'll allow you to clone the disk, will also allow you to schedule backups (I use it to backup my SSD to my old HDD but this version only allows weekly backups, still better than nothing though and could get you out of a pinch).

ETA: Ah, only spotted now that it's a laptop rather than a PC, but if you have a caddy for the drive then you could still use it.

that would be great if you have a spare code?

thanks a lot

zeromemory

aligator_am wrote: »

In work we install a lot of Crucial SSDs, each comes with a licence code for Acronis True Image 2014 so we have loads of spare licences.

I can send you on a code if you like?

Just checked the copy I have on my machine there and from within Windows it'll allow you to clone the disk, will also allow you to schedule backups (I use it to backup my SSD to my old HDD but this version only allows weekly backups, still better than nothing though and could get you out of a pinch).

ETA: Ah, only spotted now that it's a laptop rather than a PC, but if you have a caddy for the drive then you could still use it.

If you have any spare key lying around. Can definitely use one.

aligator_am

Cyrus wrote: »

that would be great if you have a spare code?

thanks a lot

PM sent.

aligator_am

zeromemory wrote: »

If you have any spare key lying around. Can definitely use one.

Will have a gander when I get home, am on customer site for most of day but think I have a spare code at home, if I can find it then will PM you.

aligator_am

zeromemory wrote: »

If you have any spare key lying around. Can definitely use one.

PM sent.