Windows 10: Migrating Windows 10 OS partition to SSD

So I just installed a new MX300 M2 275GB SSD into my Acer nitro 791g laptop and formatted as GPT. I want to migrate/clone my OS partition to the SSD, and wipe the C partition on the old HDD. The first 3 partitions are system reserved I believe with the 3rd being the recovery partition the laptop came with (Windows 8) and I'd like to delete or preferably replace it with my own recovery image.
I have a few concerns though like what program to use, and how to avoid any errors on bootup (also the consequences of formatting C drive without cleaning the MBR etc). Also, would you recommend I merge the C drive with D or leave it be on its own? Since that would create fragmentation (files would present starting 214gb mark if I merge before it I guess?).
Thanks.




:)

 

how to migrate only the OS to a new SSD

to migrate os to SSD, you need a third-party tool. I recommend you AOMEI Partition Assistant. It offers you a feature called Migrate OS to SSD,
which can help you transfer your os without effort.

before you start, you need to make sure the system partition on the old hard drive is smaller than or equal to 120GB. Also, you need to download AOMEI Partition Assistant.

then, see below.

1. launch AOMEI Partition Assistant

2. click Migrate os to SSD at the left panel

3. in the new window, click Next

4. select an unallocated space or a partition on your SSD

5. modify the information of your boot partition, including drive letter, size and position. then, click Next and Finish to back to the main page.

6. click Apply at the top left corner and Proceed to start the pending operation. then, just wait.

 

Reinstalling Windows 10

Hello,

When I first bought my laptop, it came with Windows 10 installed in the 1TB HDD. I bought a 120GB SSD and managed to migrate the OS over to the SSD. However, this seems to have left a Recovery Partition on the HDD. I deleted that Recovery Partition and now
I wish to reinstall Windows 10 all over on the SSD and wipe the HDD clean, or in other words, start afresh.

My question would be, when I use the 'reset' function in Windows 10, do it reinstall the OS in the SSD.

Alternatively, can anyone enlighten me as to how the default partitioning would be like in a system like mine?

Many thanks in advance!

 

Well, if you merged C: drive and D: drive first, then resulting partition would no longer fit onto a 275GB SSD. So that is out.

I recommend Macrium Reflect Free:
Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

Create a Macrium Reflect rescue drive that the program offers to make for you. Or create a bootable USB flash drive or DVD of Kyhi's Recovery Tools which also contains Macrium Reflect:
Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

Boot from the rescue/recovery USB drive or DVD that you create.

Clone the 300MB EFI system partition and the C: drive partition to the SSD. After you clone those two partitions, under the Macrium restore menu is a utility to fix Windows boot problems. Run that utility. Select the Windows installation on the SSD to fix - ignore the Windows installation on the HDD. Then select the EFI System partition on the SSD to repair. After that is done, shutdown the computer, pull the cable from the old HDD and see if you can boot from the SSD. If you can, then you can reconnect the HDD and do with what you want to.

 

Hey, what about the 600MB partition will it be recreated on its own? Or do I just let it remain on the old HDD?

 

You don't really need it.

 

Alright, I successfully cloned the EFI partition and Windows to the SSD. However, roughly 15-20sec after bootup, I get presented with a Windows 10 on volume 2 and volume 6 blue screen asking me to choose which one to boot.
How do I get rid of it? And what do I do now about the old HDD partition with windows, do I format and merge it to the D drive or leave it be as separate?

 

Once you get into the Windows 10 running from the SSD, run MSCONFIG. Go to the boot tab. There you should be able to delete the extra boot menu entry.

Make sure the computer boots with the HDD cable disconnected. Once you get the extra boot menu entry deleted, and you are sure the computer is booting from the SSD and not the HDD, then you can safely delete the old Windows partition on the HDD and expand the D: drive partition to fill the empty space.