How do I Clone HDD to SSD with Windows on a New Computer?

[dannymormon]

So I'm about to get my first pc in a couple weeks and I'm wondering how I'd be able to clone my current hard drive to the new ssd so that all the files, programs, and settings are the same if I were to boot from the new pc.

 

Right now I'm using a laptop with a single HDD, but my new one will use an SSD. I'm also on Windows 8.1 as of now, but I want to update to Windows 10 on my new pc. How exactly would I go about this?

 

Also, if I were to boot using the cloned SSD without having Windows activated on my computer (I'm going to buy it separately if necessary), would my system still be usable? All help is appreciated~

[FloRolf]

The best is to just make a clean install of the new system with new Win10 etc. 

As for the files, just connect the old hdd to the PC and copy everything over manually. 

install the other Programms new as well. 

[keskparane]

.. and you can just download W10 and make a bootable USB. Install now an register it later when you buy your copy.

[Guest]

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[homeap5]

54 minutes ago, dannymormon said:

So I'm about to get my first pc in a couple weeks and I'm wondering how I'd be able to clone my current hard drive to the new ssd so that all the files, programs, and settings are the same if I were to boot from the new pc.

 

Right now I'm using a laptop with a single HDD, but my new one will use an SSD. I'm also on Windows 8.1 as of now, but I want to update to Windows 10 on my new pc. How exactly would I go about this?

 

Also, if I were to boot using the cloned SSD without having Windows activated on my computer (I'm going to buy it separately if necessary), would my system still be usable? All help is appreciated~

 

Install Macrium Reflect.

 

Then prepare bootable usb (it's called "Rescue USB" - you can find it in "Other Tasks" - "Create Rescue Media").

Then plug both drives into your new build computer and boot from that Rescue Media USB.

Cloning will be easy - it's just drag&drop program with few common tasks. You can resize partition while cloning (or shrink) to fit your new drive.

Then all you need is to boot from your new drive on new computer. Windows will be unactivated (because of hardware change) but other than that - everything will be the same. At first boot Windows install propoer drivers for your computer. If not - you can install them by downloading from manufacturer's website (the same as you do when you made new install and need drivers).

 

If you want to get rid of old drivers and you know what you're doing - use Ghostbuster tool (but it's not needed and I don't recommend that if you're unexperienced user).

 

[dannymormon]

22 hours ago, homeap5 said:

 

Install Macrium Reflect.

 

Then prepare bootable usb (it's called "Rescue USB" - you can find it in "Other Tasks" - "Create Rescue Media").

Then plug both drives into your new build computer and boot from that Rescue Media USB.

Cloning will be easy - it's just drag&drop program with few common tasks. You can resize partition while cloning (or shrink) to fit your new drive.

Then all you need is to boot from your new drive on new computer. Windows will be unactivated (because of hardware change) but other than that - everything will be the same. At first boot Windows install propoer drivers for your computer. If not - you can install them by downloading from manufacturer's website (the same as you do when you made new install and need drivers).

 

If you want to get rid of old drivers and you know what you're doing - use Ghostbuster tool (but it's not needed and I don't recommend that if you're unexperienced user).

 

Thanks for the help.

 

As for upgrading to Windows 10, I'm guessing I should do that once I'm done with the other steps on my new computer?

I also have a hard drive enclosure with me, so am i able to clone using that from my laptop rather than using the USB to clone from the new build? 

[homeap5]

3 hours ago, dannymormon said:

Thanks for the help.

 

As for upgrading to Windows 10, I'm guessing I should do that once I'm done with the other steps on my new computer?

I also have a hard drive enclosure with me, so am i able to clone using that from my laptop rather than using the USB to clone from the new build? 

Use USB created with Marcium as boot drive anyway. I recommend to clone system that is not in use (do not clone system when you're working on the same system). You can clone on any computer or laptop - it's your choice (it may be longer, because USB is slower than SATA).