Windows 10: Computer gets confused when swapping archive drives

We archive a lot of imagery data we're a mapping shop on hard drives. We commonly make two copies of each archive dataset. We've always named the drives PA1 project archive 1 and PA2. I use a 4 bay box so I can swap drives, copy and restore data. Windows seems to get confused if I happen to have two PA1s or two PA2s plugged in. It will show incorrect folders and files on drives or even drives plugged in that aren't there. In some instances folders have disappeared on the drives just by plugging them in always with the computer off and rebooted. Can Windows really be this lame to

:)

 

Building Again

I just tried to swap the hard drive for the one you suggested keakar but i purchased rush processing so its already in step 3... *Big Grin

 

Swapping hard drives between two computers

Hi ugli,

You may swap hard drives with Windows if bot licenses were bought separately from computer. Likely you'll need to make phone activation after swap.

Preinstalled Windows are tied to computer so if at least one Windows is preinstalled (OEM) you need to swap just hard drives not Windows copies to be fully legal . So make a backup copy on each computer and restore them after disk swapping.

 

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.