Replacing SSD (Help w/ file saving/transfer?)

[Billy Buttcheeks]

Earlier this month I bought my first SSD ever and set it up perfectly. But now I need some help on preserving the files temporarily.  

As of me posting this my storage set up is

NEW 120 GB SSD [Windows 8.1 Drive + Main Programs(Ones that are used often)]

OLD 1 TB HDD [Files(Movies, Music, Images, Documents, Etc.)

 

PC Specs

OS: Win 8.1

CPU: AMD FX 6300

GPU: R9 280X

PSU: Rosewill HIVE 650W

SSD: SiliconPower S70 120GB

HDD: WD 1 TB

 

 

However, I will be wiping my SSD and returning it in order to make room for a different SSD.

This SSD is my current one and this SSD is the one I am ordering. 
I am wondering if it is possible to just copy my current SSD to my HDD and use it as a temp OS drive and then when my other SSD arrives I can copy that exact part onto that. (Is it that simple? Can I just copy and paste everything in the drive from my SSD to my HDD and it will work fine ? )

Basically I can't think of a way of making it seem like nothing is different about my PC EXCEPT the fact that the SSD has more capacity. I know I can just wipe it and re-do EVERYTHING, but installing drivers, OS, programs(with configurations to settings of games/programs) is time consuming and a pain. 

[ddswh1pk0s]

I would watch this video, it might help you, 

[Enderman]

Do not clone operating systems. It is really bad for the system and will cause tons of issues in the future, and will save you no time in the end.

 

The proper way to do this is to not be lazy and do a clean install of windows and all programs when you get the new SSD.

[Dimwitted]

I think in this case the cloning is a perfect way to fix this problem. It's exactly why cloning was invented in the first place. Do you have something like Acronis TrueImage available? Do a simply ssd to ssd clone, install the new drive and check it. I'm not sure whether you'll have to adjust the partition after the cloning but that's easily done as well. Then wipe the old drive and return it.

[Mighty_Miro_WD]

Hi there @Billy Buttcheeks!

 

You can use the Acronis True Image WD edition to migrate your system since you have a WD drive. However, I would recommend you to do a fresh install of Windows because it will give better performance.

 

Acronis True Image - http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=AtvlHO

Steps how to do the cloning - http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=7WxEA1

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers!

[Sankster]

http://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/

this is what we use at work.

just burn iso to CD or USB and boot

works every time like a charm  

[Billy Buttcheeks]

I would watch this video, it might help you, 

 

 

Do not clone operating systems. It is really bad for the system and will cause tons of issues in the future, and will save you no time in the end.

 

The proper way to do this is to not be lazy and do a clean install of windows and all programs when you get the new SSD.

 

 

I think in this case the cloning is a perfect way to fix this problem. It's exactly why cloning was invented in the first place. Do you have something like Acronis TrueImage available? Do a simply ssd to ssd clone, install the new drive and check it. I'm not sure whether you'll have to adjust the partition after the cloning but that's easily done as well. Then wipe the old drive and return it.

 

 

 

Hi there @Billy Buttcheeks!

 

You can use the Acronis True Image WD edition to migrate your system since you have a WD drive. However, I would recommend you to do a fresh install of Windows because it will give better performance.

 

Acronis True Image - http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=AtvlHO

Steps how to do the cloning - http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=7WxEA1

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers!

 

 

So is it seems there will be problems if I take the easy cloning way out...

I guess I don't mind doing a complete fresh install of everything since I am in winter break and in no hurry.

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

I guess my follow up question is should I wait until I have all 3 drives to start? I only have 2 SATA cables so I cannot have all 3 inside the PC at the same time, but I can have, for example, both SSDs or 1 SSD and 1 HDD

[Enderman]

So is it seems there will be problems if I take the easy cloning way out...

I guess I don't mind doing a complete fresh install of everything since I am in winter break and in no hurry.

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

I guess my follow up question is should I wait until I have all 3 drives to start? I only have 2 SATA cables so I cannot have all 3 inside the PC at the same time, but I can have, for example, both SSDs or 1 SSD and 1 HDD

Good choice clean install is the safest way.

 

The only drive you need to begin is the one you will put your OS and programs on, so you just need the new SSD and youre good to go. Just make sure you only have that one SSD plugged in while installing windows.

 

Good luck and happy holidays