Windows 10: cloning C: System Drive to SSD questions

Discus and support cloning C: System Drive to SSD questions in Windows 10 Backup and Restore to solve the problem; I seek clarification for three groups of questions I have about cloning my C: Drive to SSD 1) On my C: HDD (Windows 10) there was still a 60 GB... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Backup and Restore' started by xyz, Jul 15, 2019.

  1. XYZ
    xyz Win User

    cloning C: System Drive to SSD questions


    I seek clarification for three groups of questions I have about cloning my C: Drive to SSD

    1) On my C: HDD (Windows 10) there was still a 60 GB Recovery Partition with the original W8. I have deleted this and extended the main partition with the 60 GB (I did this mainly because I did not want to somehow accidentally do a recovery back to W8, but it also made the clone too large for my SSD)

    I downloaded Free Macrium Reflect to do the cloning , but also have Samsung Data Migration = it is a Samsung SSD, and AOMEI Backupper Pro as cloning tool options!

    1) Not sure which is the best tool to use! I read somewhere that MR was better because it also got the SSD ready to be used as main C: drive (BIOS), but? = I actually prefer/feel safer using Samsung Migration software, but I want the easiest and safest option (including any needed settings for later SSD use as Ccloning C: System Drive to SSD questions :)?

    I also have 2 options to do the cloning to SSD: installed inside computer, or with the SSD in external drive = is one way better than other? (but this might already be answered in question 2)

    2) My motherboard has only three SATA connecting points (SATA 1, SATA 2 and SATA 4 = don't not know why there is no 3?). All three are in use. 1 = C: Drive, 2 = E: Drive, 4 = DVD Drive (I think). If I do an internal installed Cloning to SSD, I will have to disconnect SATA 4 (DVD) and use this = which suggests external USB drive cloning is best option = but (any reasons against or for)?

    (I intend to leave the old HDD C Drive inside, after clone moved/connected to SATA 4, and SSD moved/connected to SATA 1 = I have an external DVD Drive I can use = are there any faults/mistakes in this plan?)

    3) After deleting 60 GB Recovery Partition Macrium Reflect no longer automatically selected the final partition (5) = PRC_RC (FAT32) 1 GB with 256.94 MB used= but don't know why? Could this partition originally be intended for the deleted Recovery Partition, and is no longer needed? Best to just leave it? I do not yet know what Samsung Migration Software selects.


    cloning C: System Drive to SSD questions [​IMG]

    (Samsung SSD is 500 GB = used space on present C: HDD is about 415 GB*)

    *Future Software downloads will be installed on one of the other drives

    :)
     
  2. topgundcp Win User

    Cloning to SSD then swapping drive letters


    @SamHobbs
    What you want done is very simple and can be done in short period of time. Here's my suggestion:
    There's 2 modes that Windows can be installed: UEFI and the old legacy MBR. Open Disk Management, look at the disk where your C drive is, if there's a
    1. EFI System Partition, your Windows was installed using UEFI.
    2. System Reserved partition, your Windows was installed using MBR
    Next, Connect your SSD to an available Sata port (no need to format or do anything). Download: Macrium Reflect Free . Install and run. Follow the steps below:
    1. From Macrium, click on image this disk under your C drive and save it to either an Internal or External Drive. This will create a single backup image of the whole disk containing your C drive.
    2. Again, from Macrium, click on Restore tab and select the image created from step 1, Select your SSD as the destination drive, click Next->Finish
    3. Exit Macrium. If your Windows was installed using MBR, Open disk management and make sure the SSD is marked "Active" else go to next step.
    4. Shutdown your PC. Disconnect the HD containing Windows C drive then connect your SSD to it.
    5. Reboot. Your PC should boot and the Windows should have C as the drive letter.

    NOTE: The procedure above is to backup your Windows to an image file then copy it back to the SSD. This ensures proper cluster size aligment for the SSD. In addition, Macrium also perform Trimming for the SSD. This is more preferable than cloning.
     
    topgundcp, Jul 15, 2019
    #2
  3. cadaveca Win User
    Moving to SSD. Clone or not to clone?

    I kinda agree with you, but on a wholr, do not. While I have done things a bit differently than this specific situation, by installing Windows directly to the SSD, and cloning after, my testing shows that there are no issues doing this, very little that can go wrong, provided your system is stable.

    There are certain features that must be disabled in this situation, like auto defrag and such, but even with a fresh install to the SSD, you need to take steps to ensure that you SSD performs properly, regardless of how the data got there.

    Arming yourself with a bit of knowledge can go a long way.

    Installing the latest chipset driver, and the RST Tools, will ensure optimal performance of the SSD. but rather than taking my advice, I suggest the OP takes a look here:

    http://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/sand...7-and-ssds-to-clone-windows-or-reinstall.aspx

    Installing The SSD - Install A Solid State Drive In Your Notebook

    Keep in mind, also, Digibucc, that many retail drives include software and such that very specifically is to be used to ttranser the OS from an existing mechanical drive to an SSD, and if there really was alot fo issues stemming from the cloning process, they would not have packages like that, simply to eliminate tech support costs. While not the optimal option, cloning is NOT a bad thing, as long as you take the nessecary steps.
     
    cadaveca, Jul 15, 2019
    #3
  4. cadaveca Win User

    cloning C: System Drive to SSD questions

    Moving to SSD. Clone or not to clone?

    Part of how I keep my SSD fast is to clone it to a platter drive, then clone back. You just want to make sure that you are only cloning teh used space, and not the empty space.


    So, again, I isntall Windows to the ssd. Clone to platter drive, then clone back.

    I am not sure why, but if I do not do the clone step, the drive's speed, and windows booting, decreases substantially within a week or so.

    I am using a Corsair F60 SSD and a Western Digital 500AAKS as drives, and using the free version of Acronis that WD provides, if any of that matters. I am not sure, at this point.
     
    cadaveca, Jul 15, 2019
    #4
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