Windows 10: Cloning SSD via External USB Drive

I just acquired a second laptop identical to the one I have. I will have exactly the same configuration on both and keep them in sync. I need to clone the SSD to the new SSD, but I don't have access to a desktop or eSATA port.
Is there a way to use Macrium Reflect to clone the SSD to an external USB drive and then clone the USB drive to the new SSD? Caveat: old SSD 256GB, new 128GB, but the old has much less than 128GB filled.

If not, any other suggestions I could accomplish this?

:)

 

How can I initialise an SSD?

The SSD's manufacturer should have a cloning app on their web page. Hook up the SSD as an external drive, clone the existing drive to the SSD, then swap the drives.

 

Strange "C Missing" in Restore window

Results of testing Acronis clone and Image restore.

Boot SSD 1 – verified that there is no C Missing.

Created a second restore point for this drive.

Wipe SSD 2.

Clone SSD 1 to SSD 2 using Acronis 2016 booted from Rescue USB.

Boot from SSD 2.

C Missing exists on SSD 2

System Protection turned OFF for C System.

System Protection ON for C Missing.

Wipe SSD 2.

Image SSD1 to External backup drive using Acronis 2016 booted from Rescue USB.

Restore image from external drive to SSD2 with Acronis 2016 booted from Rescue USB.

Boot SSD2.

System Protection turned OFF for C System.

System Protection turned ON for C Missing.



My Results of testing;

Macrium clone creates C Missing folder on cloned drive.

Macrium Image restore does NOT create C Missing on imaged drive



Acronis clone creates C Missing folder on cloned drive.

Acronis image restore creates C Missing on imaged drive.



Turning Protection OFF on C Missing removes it from System Protection window.

Must turn protection on for C System.

These are my results - Others may have different results.

 

Using Macrium Reflect, save an image of the SSD to the external USB drive. Then restore the image to the new SSD.

 

Thanks.

2 questions:

1. Does the cloned image take 256GB, or only the filled space? Or does it compress? I only have 150GB on the USB drive.

2. In order to restore image I must boot from the Macrium recovery disc?

 

1. It will compress to a file that is slightly smaller than only the used space of the drive being cloned.

2. No, you won't have to boot from a Macrium Disc. But you cannot be booted from the drive you are attempting to restore the image to.

 

Thanks.

But whatever I boot from, it must have access to Macrium to restore, and the new SSD has only Win10 running, no Macrium. The recovery disc has it.

On second thought, due to the diff SSD sizes, the partitions will be diff. So I probably need to backup the system partition and restore it -- I can then simply copy the other data partitions individually via the USB disk, no?
Is this OK if new SSD has Win10Pro 1607 on it and I restore 1511?




Incidentally, does it make an

 

No - just boot from Macrium Rescue drive and restore image to ssd on new laptop. It will shrink main partition to fit - no problem.