Windows 10: Is there an easy way in Windows 10 to re-TRIM empty space on an SSD?

Okay, so maybe it's not the best topic title, but I'll try to explain.

Suppose you have a customized Windows 10 installation on a hard disk and you'd like to migrate it to an SSD of the exact same size (same number of sectors on both drives; Yes, I checked, they're the same!!). You use an image tool (like linux dd) to create an exact block-for-block replica of that disk (including all the empty space on the main windows partition) and burn it onto the new SSD.

Now here is where I'm getting confused. If I understand SSD's correctly, writing data to any sector/block will cause the SSD firmware to consider that block "in-use". This means the block will supposedly be left alone by the firmware wear-leveling mechanism until it is released by i.e. files using that block being deleted, and the OS issuing a TRIM/discard command to the SSD for that disk sector.

So, what happens to all the free space in this case?
I take it the SSD firmware will consider the entire disk (including all the free space) "in-use" because we've written data to the whole SSD during the cloning phase. In this case, how does one make Windows 10 signal to the SSD that all free space on the system partition should be released ("re-TRIM-med")? My current best idea is to completely fill the HDD with large files, perform the clone and then delete the files on the SSD. Any better ways?


Now, to all of you asking why I would even consider doing something like this:
I'm using system disk encryption (VeraCrypt) and I'd like to preserve all the changes I did to my Windows 10. The alternative would be to reinstall Windows (and just about everything else) on the SSD, re-encrypt and re-configure everything. Alas, something I want to avoid, if possible.

Thanks in advance for any info on this.

:)

 

SSD cannot be trimmed after Windows Anniversary Update.

Does this Article help?



How to ensure TRIM is enabled on Windows 10 to keep an SSD at top performance

Making sure your SSD is using TRIM for best performance



Why do you have unallocated disk space on Disk 0 and Disk 1?

 

A-Data Ships XPG SX95 and S592 SSDs with New Windows 7 TRIM Firmware

Hmm somethings a miss there, namely the fact there are only 3 features listed twice *Roll Eyes

 

SSD cannot be trimmed after Windows Anniversary Update.

Sorry but all the is stated on Windows Central has been done with no luck.

Any other ideas?