Moving OS to new disk

[spree]

Hi there,

 

I recently purchased a new disk (m.2 nvme) and I want to move OS as well as all my files from my old SSD to this new M.2.

 

*What is the best program to use? (free)

 

*Do I need to format the M.2 before doing the cloning, or is that not needed?

 

*Can I simply copy the files and drag them over in windows, and then change the boot disk in bios? Or would that not work?

 

-Thanks

[WoodenMarker]

No, you can't just drag over the files but you should change the boot disk after cloning. 

I use Macrium Reflect to clone. You don't need to format beforehand. https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

 

Moved to Windows. 

[spree]

14 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

No, you can't just drag over the files but you should change the boot disk after cloning. 

I use Macrium Reflect to clone. You don't need to format beforehand. https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

 

Moved to Windows. 

Thanks!

[homeap5]

Just in case, I recommend to clone OFFLINE system (that is not in use). So use Macrium Reflect to made Rescue USB, boot from that USB and made system clone when is not in use. Just to be extra safe. Rely on VSS (Volume Shadow copy Service, which is used by cloning software) may be good or not. I prefer using second computer to clone or bootable usb. It works always good that way.

[spree]

On 12/14/2018 at 1:27 AM, WoodenMarker said:

No, you can't just drag over the files but you should change the boot disk after cloning. 

I use Macrium Reflect to clone. You don't need to format beforehand. https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

 

Moved to Windows. 

Hey man, I cloned the disk with my OS to my new drive. However, instead of the new drive being 500GB it is now the same size as my old one (256gb) what happened?

Edit: The rest of the space seems greyed out in macrium. How do I "enable" the rest of the drive?

[homeap5]

A) resize it in macrium settings before starting process

 

Or

 

B) use MiniTool Partition Wizard to resize partition to the maximum if you already cloned and booted.

 

In your case B will be your option and next time look at properties before starting cloning.

[spree]

11 minutes ago, homeap5 said:

A) resize it in macrium settings before starting process

 

Or

 

B) use MiniTool Partition Wizard to resize partition to the maximum if you already cloned and booted.

 

In your case B will be your option and next time look at properties before starting cloning.

When I go in to windows disk management, and I want to extend my current drive to get the full 500GB out of it, it says that it will change it from "standard" to "dynamic" and doing so will prevent the drive from booting an OS.

(I watched a video that said this is how you combine the disk to get the full capacity)

[spree]

Fixed.

[homeap5]

I wrote name of program. Windows disk management is not so good.