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Getting a larger SSD... what to do about Windows?

Firearm2112
By Firearm2112
in Storage Devices
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Posted

Hey guys,

 

I currently have an Adata 128GB SSD. Theres nothing wrong with it, but I wanted more space so I ordered a Samsung 850 evo 250gb ssd. 

 

Then it hit me, am I going to have to rebuy windows again?

 

Is it a good idea or even possible to clone my current drive and put it on the new SSD? Could I possibly deactivate windows on this drive and reactivate it on the new one?

 

Opinions are welcomed and much appreciated. 

 

Thank you!

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Posted

Just clone

Reinstalling windows may work because it is still the same mobo

also MS can deactivate for you

Thats that. If you need to get in touch chances are you can find someone that knows me that can get in touch.

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why not just use the evo as more space???

 

i seen no point in moving the OS

I wanted to throw the old SSD into my laptop

 eGPU Setup: Macbook Pro 13" 16GB DDR3 RAM, 512GB SSD, i5 3210M, GTX 980 eGPU

New PC: i7-4790k, Corsair H100iGTX, ASrock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer, 24GB Ram, 850 EVO 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, GTX 1080 Fractal Design R4, EVGA Supernova G2 650W

 

 

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Just clone

Reinstalling windows may work because it is still the same mobo

also MS can deactivate for you

best cloning software if i decide to go that route?

 

any downsides to cloning?

 

thanks

 eGPU Setup: Macbook Pro 13" 16GB DDR3 RAM, 512GB SSD, i5 3210M, GTX 980 eGPU

New PC: i7-4790k, Corsair H100iGTX, ASrock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer, 24GB Ram, 850 EVO 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, GTX 1080 Fractal Design R4, EVGA Supernova G2 650W

 

 

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Posted

Hey guys,

 

I currently have an Adata 128GB SSD. Theres nothing wrong with it, but I wanted more space so I ordered a Samsung 850 evo 250gb ssd. 

 

Then it hit me, am I going to have to rebuy windows again?

 

Is it a good idea or even possible to clone my current drive and put it on the new SSD? Could I possibly deactivate windows on this drive and reactivate it on the new one?

 

Opinions are welcomed and much appreciated. 

 

Thank you!

 

Yes, you can clone the data / OS install from your 128GB SSD over to the to new Samsung SSD -- and Samsung has their own cloning software available.

 

As you already mentioned, one could reinstall Windows (I would recommend this if possible).

Yes, you deactivate the current install of Windows, install Windows onto your new SSD, and re-activate it there.

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best cloning software if i decide to go that route?

 

any downsides to cloning?

 

thanks

Wouldnt know

 

You lose the chance to get a fresh install and get rid of the junk you dont know you even had

Thats that. If you need to get in touch chances are you can find someone that knows me that can get in touch.

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The OS key is tied to the BIOS of the motherboard, you can basically reinstall windows 10 without even using the adata as a clone, but if you want to keep your previous data, that is the best way to go with it.

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best cloning software if i decide to go that route?

 

any downsides to cloning?

 

thanks

I use Macrium Reflect, very simple and easy to use. When you clone it, it will still show up in Windows as a 120GB partition, so when you boot up with the new SSD and the clone on it, open the Disk Management and extend the Windows partition onto the rest of the SSD.

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I use Macrium Reflect, very simple and easy to use. When you clone it, it will still show up in Windows as a 120GB partition, so when you boot up with the new SSD and the clone on it, open the Disk Management and extend the Windows partition onto the rest of the SSD.

I think he can do the resizing within Macrium if I recall correctly -- been a while since I've had to use it for that. It just requires a little bit of finesse.

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