HDD upgrade + cloning/transferring

[xeks]

So I currently have two HDDs in my system:

 

A SSD with windows on it and traditional HDD where I keep application installs and other files such as work files, music, movies, etc. 

 

What I'd like to know is if it's possible to clone my second HDD with apps/data onto a new larger HDD without disrupting system stability. If so..how do I go about doing so? I don't have the time currently to reformat my computer (which I will do in the coming month) but I also need to get this HDD into my system and use it. Thanks in advance.

 

Also I'll be using my older tradtional HDD as a boot drive for another desktop...a standard format via windows should be enough to clear it and let it be used again, correct? I'm not worried about old data security since the computer it's going into will be used by an older family member. Thanks again.

[whatthe_fuzz]

Best way to clean a HDD 

 

it takes a day and a half for 1TB 

 

and you cant move your app data over without risking corruption. just clean sweep and reinstall windows where you desire

[grayperview]

There are various programs for "cloning", Acronis is very good and very easy to use. the version i have is on a bootable disk.

 

Macrium reflect is another that works perfectly form inside windows, and is easy to use and clones disks on the fly.

 

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

 

With programs on a seperate drive to the OS you can just copy them over, you will need to change the drive letter to what you old drive they was installed on. (IE old was d: new needs to be d: )