Windows 10: Fresh Clean install, or Via Cloning/Imaging? to migrate Win 10 to SSD?

Discus and support Fresh Clean install, or Via Cloning/Imaging? to migrate Win 10 to SSD? in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade to solve the problem; First sorry for my poor english. here's a problem: My Original OS is come from Win 7 Professional 64 bit (from my Academic/MSDNAA ), and then I... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade' started by xzipp7, Jul 27, 2016.

  1. xzipp7 Win User

    Fresh Clean install, or Via Cloning/Imaging? to migrate Win 10 to SSD?


    First sorry for my poor english.

    here's a problem:

    My Original OS is come from Win 7 Professional 64 bit (from my Academic/MSDNAA ), and then I successfully upgrade it into Win 10 Pro 64bit (fully activated). Have been use that fully activated OS on my machine for years now without problems.

    Now, I want to move my currently 'Fully Activated Win 10 Pro' from HDD into brand New SSD (256gb).

    What Do you prefer a Fresh Clean install, or Via Cloning/Imaging? to migrate OS to SSD?

    If I choose a clean install/clone/image, Does my activated OS will be gone because moving OS to new SSD?

    :)
     
    xzipp7, Jul 27, 2016
    #1

  2. Migrating to a SSD - clone or fresh install?

    Hi, thanks for the answers. What is the difference between 'restoring the image file' and 'cloning'?
     
    AegonTheUnready, Jul 27, 2016
    #2
  3. Migrating to a SSD - clone or fresh install?

    Look at moving what you have already installed (Windows 10), create an Image Backup and restore the Image File (do not clone) to the SSD.

    If you want a clean install:

    You can download the Windows 10 ISO file(s) version 1511 from Microsoft's Tech Bench:
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/techbench

    How to use Microsoft's
    Tech Bench web site to download a Windows 10 ISO file, create installation media and activate Windows 10


    =================== Image Backup Software ===================

     


    How to create an Image Backup to a USB Flash Drive


    How to create an Image Backup to a USB Flash Drive

     

    EaseUS: Todo Backup Home V9.0 Simple and affordable file backup software for Windows 10/8.1/8/7/vista - EaseUS Todo Backup Home

     

    User friendly interface simplifies the backup process.

    Free version: Best free backup software for Windows 10/8.1/8/7/vista - EaseUS Todo Backup Free

    Version comparison chart: Best free backup software for Windows 10/8.1/8/7/vista - EaseUS Todo Backup Free

    Includes: Incremental backup, Disk/partition clone

    User's Guide: http://www.todo-backup.com/download/docs/User_Guide.pdf

    Note: Install Todo and then create an "Emergency Disk" (WinPE option is the better of the two choices) before you start creating your first image backup.

    Version 9.0 supports XP, Vista, Windows 7, 8 / 8.1 and Windows 10

     


    Acronis: True Image 2016


    Has a 30 day trial version available, trial Key sent to your Email Address.

    User interface has become more complex and less obvious, be prepared to read the user's guide before you start. Pay special attention to the "Options" and don't exclude the "System Volume Information" folder from the backup.

    Note: Cloning and drive initialization (creating a MBR) are not supported in the trial version.
    Image Backups and restores are fully functional.

    For the trial version, recovery / restore image is available only when booting from an Acronis Bootable Media CD.

    Install Acronis and then create a bootable Restore/Rescue Media CD before you start creating your first image backup

    Acronis True Image 2018 -- Comparison -- Packages

    30 day trial: http://www.acronis.com/en-sg/homecomputing/thanks/ati-local/

    True Image User Guides and documentation:

    Customer Support & Product Documentation - Acronis

    2016 supports XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 / 8.1 and Windows 10

    There is also a "Cloud" backup version so you don't need to lug an external USB Drive around if you travel a lot:
    http://www.acronis.com/en-us/cloud/backup/

     


    Paragon:


    Free version 14: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/

    User's Guide: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/download.html

    Home Version 15 $39.95: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/brh/

    User's Guide: http://download.paragon-software.com/doc/Paragon-Backup-and-Recovery-15-Home-Manual.pdf

    Support: http://www.paragon-software.com/support/

    supports XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 / 8.1, Windows 10

     


    Macrium: Reflect Free Version 6.1.9


    Free version: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

    (no technical support available for the free version)

    Macrum Reflect Standard ($69.95)

    http://www.macrium.com/personal.aspx

    Suport: http://www.macrium.com/ticket.aspx

    Version 6 supports XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 / 8.1 and Windows 10

     

    Notes:

    1) For users who have a Western Digital disk drive there is a free version of Acronis 2015:

    http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119

    Instructions

    You need at least one WD hard drive attached in your system to be able to install and run the product.

    The installation procedure is straightforward.

    1.Download the .zip file that includes both the executable file as well as the User Guide.

    2.Extract the .exe file and the User Guide. (Read the User's Guide before you install)

    3.Run the executable file and follow the on-screen instructions.

    Supports: Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 SP1 (all editions), Windows 8 /8.1 and Windows 10 Insider Preview

     

    2) For users who have a Seagate / Samsung disk drive there is a free version of Acronis 2013, It's called Seagate Disc Wizard:

    Home Page: http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/discwizard/

    User's Guide: http://www.seagate.com/files/support/discwizard/dw_ug.en.pdf

    To find out the manufacture of your disk drive use Crystal Disk Info:

    CrystalDiskInfo: http://crystalmark.info/software/index-e.html

    User's Manual: http://crystalmark.info/software/CrystalDiskInfo/manual-en/

    Monitors health status and temperature. Supports Solid State Drives (Wear level count or Tware value).

     

     

     

    : http://www.pagestart.com
     
    J W Stuart, Jul 27, 2016
    #3
  4. NavyLCDR New Member

    Fresh Clean install, or Via Cloning/Imaging? to migrate Win 10 to SSD?

    It is entirely up to you if you clone or clean install. Clone and you don't have to re-install anything. Clean install and you get a chance to get rid of any "junk" that may have accumulated - old install files and temporary files.

    I do have two recommendations. First, before you clone, clean up your existing hard drive thoroughly. I like to do option two here, and select every option to clean:
    Disk Cleanup - Open and Use in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    Then I like to follow that with the default disk cleanup using CCleaner:
    CCleaner - Free Download - Piriform

    My second recommendation is that before you wipe the old hard drive (erase it), make sure your computer boots with only the SSD connected. And if you are going to clean install Windows 10 onto the SSD, do that clean install with only the SSD connected. Many people have not cloned or installed properly and are left with the boot files (system partition) left on the HDD instead of creating it on the SSD. Then they wipe the HDD and discover that their computer won't boot.

    If you clone, you will want to clone, probably, at least two partitions. The boot files will be in a partition that is marked as either a System Reserved partition, the (System) partition, or EFI system partition. It should be any where from 100mb to 450mb in size. You definitely want to copy that partition over. The second partition is, of course, the partition containing your operating system. That partition should be obvious, but for information, that is the partition that will be marked as the (boot) partition.

    Finally, you can see if Windows is using an active recovery partition opening a Command Prompt (Admin) [found by right clicking on the start icon], and in the command prompt window enter:
    reagentc /info

    The partition(s) that are listed in those results are the active recovery partitions and those should be cloned as well.

    Since you have a digital entitlement for Windows 10 for this computer that was created and stored at Microsoft when you upgraded, you won't have any problems with Windows 10 activation just do to the upgrade to an SSD.

    Good luck!
     
    NavyLCDR, Jul 27, 2016
    #4
  5. I always prefer a clean install, but you should be able to clone without issues, too.

    Either way, your activation will remain, as you are only swapping out the hard drive.
     
    DeaconFrost, Jul 27, 2016
    #5
  6. aardvark Win User
    @NavyLCDR: Nicely done; however, I have a few additional questions if you would be so kind:

    The OP mentioned "imaging." So, restoring a full system image would require the SSD to be equal to or larger than the original HD partition structure; correct?

    The OP mentioned "cloning." So, would there be any prepwork on the SSD side to setup the offset partitions or would the cloning software generally take care of that issue? I asked because you mentioned selective cloning.

    In your last sentence, you stated the upgrade would not present a problem due to the existing digital entitlement; correct? Now, I was wondering how that might affect one if they attempted a direct clean install to the new SSD? My old school thinking would dictate one would have to install Windows 7 again and then proceed to Win 10. Am I incorrect in that assumption? Thanks again.
     
    aardvark, Jul 27, 2016
    #6
  7. NavyLCDR New Member
    Not if the imaging software being used is decent, like Macrium Reflect Free. Software like Macrium Reflect will allow you to shrink the partitions - especially the operating system partition - to fit on a smaller drive. The same goes for cloning. Decent cloning software (and Macrium Reflect does cloning too) will also allow you to shrink the partitions to fit.

    The cloning software should take care of all of that.

    Read this webpage:
    Windows 10

    Click on +Using the media creation tool
    +Performing a clean installation using a USB or DVD
    Then the blue or grey Note box:
    The first option to skip the product key will actually be "I don't have a product key"
     
    NavyLCDR, Jul 27, 2016
    #7
  8. aardvark Win User

    Fresh Clean install, or Via Cloning/Imaging? to migrate Win 10 to SSD?

    OK, thanks for answering my additional questions. Very nicely done again and much appreciated. I wanted to rep you (again) but I have to spread some around a bit before I can do that.

    Cheers,
     
    aardvark, Jul 27, 2016
    #8
  9. xzipp7 Win User
    Okay thanks guys for the answer.

    Yes, i might want to choose a clean install, probably best, chance to get rid of junk files, to save more spaces on the SSD.

    But one thing i just notice. Looks like Why i have a two different key on my machine?
    The showkeyplus/belarc advisor showing the same Installed key, but why it's different when i look into via windows (Settings>Update security>activation>product key)?

    Are those key via windows is the old one? Should i be concerned? Which key is the real one?

    (Example: Showkeyplus showing the last key xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-1234)
    but on windows showing the last key is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-5678)
     
    xzipp7, Jul 28, 2016
    #9
  10. Whatphoeb Win User
    The best way to move Windows onto an SSD is by using a cloning tool. This takes everything on the old drive and copies onto the new one.
     
    Whatphoeb, Apr 4, 2018
    #10
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Fresh Clean install, or Via Cloning/Imaging? to migrate Win 10 to SSD?

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