Relocating OS and Data to a New Boot-SSD

[Pyro]

Hello again!

I have made the decision to purchase an M.2 SSD to replace my current NVMe SSD as my boot drive.

As such, I want to relocate all of my files and installations (etc.) to the new drive.

Both SSD’s are Samsung brand (if that matters), and both are 1TB in storage.

I have considered installing Windows onto the new driver, creating a system image of my old drive, and applying it to the new one.

Would that be wise? Are there any better solutions or alternatives?

I would also be willing to start from scratch in terms of reloading my OS, not that I would particularly want to.

My current plan of action was/is to use Macrium Reflect and create an image level system backup, but any other options/ideas would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

[Bruce]

50/50 either way, with pro’s and con’s to either fresh install on new drive or Macrium image old to new.

having done both, my personal preference is start from scratch.
you have a new drive, why not start with a clean slate.
yep - having to reload all your programs, and copy all your files can be daunting, but really, it’s not hard and is just a bunch of small, easy steps.

the Macrium image copy is really only a better option if the drive you are coming from is clean, both in terms of drive and OS integrity.

I would, disconnect current OS drive, install new SSD.
have bootable USB stick with latest WIn10 ready to go.
change BIOS to boot from USB stick first.
start PC, install OS to new SSD, when all done, turn off, reconnect old drive, reboot.

should now have Windows on new SSD, and all data on old SSD that you can copy/paste.

[Pyro]

Bruce, your expertise saves me yet again, a little inconvenience is no issue when considering the grand scheme.

As far as wiping my secondary drive once the transfer is complete, any suggestions? I would like to just delete it probably through disk management or something of the like, or of course I could attempt to delete everything through file explorer?

[Bruce]

I would keep the old drive intact for maybe a month - to be sure, to be sure - that all your stuff has been copied over.
you’ll do the dumb stuff - docs, pics, desktop, downloads etc - then realise you forgot your bookmarks, or game saves, or Outlook dictionary of your saved words, or Office most recent list - that secondary sort of stuff that’s not critical but nice to get if you want it.

as to wiping the drive, a simple right click in File Explorer > Format and tick Quick Format, or if you are throwing it out or getting rid of it (give away or selling) then do a low-level format (don’t click Quick Format). but that’s not nice to do on a SSD, so a quick format and a TRIM would suffice.
or Disk Management and remove all the partitions and delete the volume - whatever rocks your boat.

[Pyro]

I plan on keeping it as a nice secondary drive for programs that will consume more space; More computer parts is almost always better!

Should I be worried about drive letters? My current SSD is the C: drive, if the new one is assigned as a C: drive will that cause issues, will Windows know the difference?

[Pyro]

For reference, in the original post I stated that my current drive was a NVMe, it is not, it is a SATA drive, thought I should clarify that.

[Bruce]

with the current C:\ drive disconnected when the OS is reinstalled on the new SSD, the new one will automatically get assigned C:.
when you reconnect the old SSD, it’ll get the next available letter in the sequence.
so if you have a CD/DVD unit, new SSD gets C:, DVD unit gets D:, old SSD gets E:\ and so forth.

if there are partitions on the old SSD they will in turn get subsequent letters, and via Disk Management, you can always change those letters - just leave C:\ alone!!!

[Pyro]

Awesome, that’s what I was hoping would happen.

With Macrium’s browsable image mounting option, a system image should cover pretty much anything I don’t remember to move over after the initial move (not that there is anything to lose, I just reset the system within the last month).

While I don’t see any real issues with this process, I will have the unit and install within the weekend, would it be acceptable for me to update accordingly?

[Bruce]

update this thread or update your rig after the install?

but… yes to both is good. (y)

[Pyro]

The thread, but also the rig I suppose?

Thank you, I like both as well!

[Pyro]

If I might pick your brain one last time, I purchased a Samsung 980 1TB as it looked like a good deal and I have never had issues with their drives before.

Upon closer inspection I learned it was dramless, would it be worthwhile to set my sights on something such as the 970 EVO Plus or stepping up and purchasing the 980 Pro?

As this will be my boot drive, reliability is crucial, and everywhere that talks about the importance of DRAM (or lack thereof) seems to be in direct contradiction to the last.

[phillpower2]

Should I be worried about drive letters? My current SSD is the C: drive, if the new one is assigned as a C: drive will that cause issues, will Windows know the difference?

Windows automatically allocates a Windows boot drive the letter C::

A clean install of Windows as was suggested by Bruce is the way to go but with one caveat, put Windows on it own 250GB partition on the drive, far less likely to become corrupted and a whole lot easier to back up.

[Pyro]

Phil,

I see, I will update upon receiving the drive I have ordered (I chose the 970 Evo +), as far as partitioning for Windows, how would I go about doing that before installing the OS, or is it something I should do after?

I don’t mind imaging the whole disk as this will only be my OS and frequently used programs (ideally space will be free to increase speeds), is this still something you would recommend under these circumstances?

[phillpower2]

You can either do it when clean installing Windows to the new SSD or afterwards using Disk Management

You make your Windows partition 250GB, partition and format the rest of the storage space as NTFS and at the size/s you want and then you image just your personal data off the original drive.

is this still something you would recommend under these circumstances?

Windows should 100% always be on its own partition away from harm.

[Pyro]

I’ll do it when I install windows, seems like the easier solution, time to break out the disk drive.

As far as partitioning 250gb, why do you recommend so much space? Doesn’t a Windows10 installation take up less than a quarter of that?