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UPgrading to M.2 ( windows question )

Strokerace2639
By Strokerace2639
in Storage Devices
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I am getting ready to Upgrade to a M.2 (SAMSUNG 980 PRO 2TB) from my HDD (Seagate BarraCuda ST3000DM007 3TB).

  I understand I need to do a fresh install of windows on the drive. so my questions are as follows.

   Will this require a new key for Windows ( any ideas for cheap keys if I need a new one)?

   Whats the best way to remove Windows from the HDD? Do this before or after the upgrade?

 

Thank You for your HELP

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If the capacity is the same, you could just clone the HDD to the SSD. If not, then just clone the OS partition to the SSD. Therefore no need to install a fresh windows.

https://www.diskpart.com/clone/clone-to-ssd-free-1881.html

Also 980 Pro is a waste of money, you won't feel the difference between something cheap like Team MP33 or Silicone A60 and 980 Pro. My suggestion would be Kingston NV2, great value to performance.

And you could just format the HDD after cloning is complete and tested, do not format prior to testing.

Occassionaly visits the forum when I have nothing to do at work.

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16 minutes ago, Strokerace2639 said:

I am getting ready to Upgrade to a M.2 (SAMSUNG 980 PRO) from my HDD (Seagate BarraCuda ST3000DM007).

  I understand I need to do a fresh install of windows on the drive. so my questions are as follows.

   Will this require a new key for Windows ( any ideas for cheap keys if I need a new one)?

   Whats the best way to remove Windows from the HDD? Do this before or after the upgrade?

 

Thank You for your HELP

 

tbh you could just clone the M.2 from the HDD and avoid all the above I think (if the SSD is larger than the HDD then you may need to expand the cloned partition afterwards) (this won't work if the SSD is smaller than the HDD)

Windows keys are tied to mobos and cpus (i believe) so provided niether has changed you don't need a new one

 

if your keeping the HDD, just do a quick format to remove windows from it

 

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11 minutes ago, Dukesilver27- said:

If the capacity is the same, you could just clone the HDD to the SSD. If not, then just clone the OS partition to the SSD. Therefore no need to install a fresh windows.

https://www.diskpart.com/clone/clone-to-ssd-free-1881.html

Also 980 Pro is a waste of money, you won't feel the difference between something cheap like Team MP33 or Silicone A60 and 980 Pro. My suggestion would be Kingston NV2, great value to performance.

And you could just format the HDD after cloning is complete and tested, do not format prior to testing.

Not cloning HDD is bigger than the M.2 drive

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5 minutes ago, Strokerace2639 said:

Not cloning HDD is bigger than the M.2 drive

Do you have your windows in a separate partition?

If so, just clone the partition.

https://www.diskpart.com/windows-10/clone-partition-windows-10-0528.html

Occassionaly visits the forum when I have nothing to do at work.

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8 minutes ago, Dukesilver27- said:

Do you have your windows in a separate partition?

If so, just clone the partition.

https://www.diskpart.com/windows-10/clone-partition-windows-10-0528.html

TBH I am not sure if windows is in a separate partition. here is what I have

 

Disk Management 1_2_2023 7_41_03 PM.png

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5 minutes ago, Strokerace2639 said:

TBH I am not sure if windows is in a separate partition. I will have to check that

 

Instead of cloning you could image then re image the relevant partitions using intelligent sector copy which should allow you to transfer the Windows and startup partitions to the new drive even if it is somewhat smaller. Suggest you research this further in case you encounter issues with booting afterwards, whether cloning or using an image.

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