Windows 10: Upgrading to SSD drive

I plan to upgrade my laptops HD to an SSD. I was going to buy a Samsung drive because it has the cloning software but to give my new installation the best chance, I was planning to do the following:

• back up all my files onto an external HD;
• reset windows on my pc to its default state (i.e. no programs);
• clone this to the ssd drive;
• install the ssd into the laptop.

Will this avoid any problems with windows detecting a hardware change?

My laptop originally had Windows 7 on it and I got the free upgrade to Windows 10.

I'd be grateful for any opinions or advice.

Thanks.

:)

 

Free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 -- Dual Boot

Put the SSD drive in the computer, temporarily remove the 1Tb drive, install Win7 to the SSD, upgrade to Win10, reinstall the 1Tb drive. Or if you're trying to keep all the programs that were installed on the 1Tb drive, clone it to the SSD using clonezilla
or something, remove the 1Tb drive, and upgrade the SSD to Win10.

 

WINDOWS 10 UPGRADE - ERROR MESSAGE 8007045D-2000C

I experienced this error multiple times while trying to upgrade a Win7 Ultimate install on an SSD. A Win7 Pro install on a hard drive in the same machine upgraded without issue.

The problem was due to SSD being incompatible with the Windows 10 upgrade system. The solution was to use Pen Drive Linux's dd utility to image the SSD install to a hard drive, upgrade the imaged install to Windows 10, and then image the upgraded install back
to the SSD.

 

Hi, it depends what you want to achieve.

a. If you have few programs installed and are happy to clean install, then you can do that. Windows should be activated automatically- the change of disk is not significant.
b. If your previous installation was MBR, then, assuming your BIOS supports it, you should use GPT/UEFI for your new installation. That is best/most readily achieved with a clean install.
c. A clean install is generally considered better than an upgraded one (cleaner registry e.g.)

Clean Install Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

You will want to use AHCI for preference - faster/better performance with your SSD.
AHCI vs IDE - Difference and Comparison | Diffen
(Ignore refs. to RAID in the opening para).

And finally, you could, of course clone everything.

For interest as this has been discussed numerous times: E.g.
Migrating Windows 10 Home from HDD to SSD Solved - Windows 10 Forums
Clone HDD to SSD (switch from RAID to AHCI) - Windows 10 Forums

(More if you search the forum for HDD to SSD e.g.)

Note: you might want to check if your BIOS is the latest version.

 

Thank you so much for that. I understood it all except this point.
b. If your previous installation was MBR, then, assuming your BIOS supports it, you should use GPT/UEFI for your new installation. That is best/most readily achieved with a clean install.

How can I check if my bios supports GPT/UEFI?

Thanks

 

You will see the option to choose Legacy or UEFI in the Bios, that is how you can tell.

 

You mean when I'm installing the ssd drive?
Thanks.
Having looked at all the articles, I think I'll back up files to an external hd, swap out the computer hard drive for an SSD and then boot from a USB to do a clean install of Win 10. I'll then return my files and reinstall the programs I need from scratch.
Does that sound right?

 

You also need to set your BIOS appropriately for MBR (old) or UEFI (new, better).
Check any BIOS update as some people find that is needed with later builds.
And make sure AHCI is enabled.

Look at your manufacturer's site/ask in their forums if unsure about your BIOS.

 

I've cloned an HD to an SSD a few times.

I every case, there were no hardware recognition or activation issues. If you're taking the opportunity to clean up your Windows installation, that's good, but it isn't at all necessary.

 

What happens as regards AHCI when you clone an installation?

 

Sounds perfect. *Smile

 

Nothing does. AHCI is a BIOS/UEFI firmware setting. However, you cannot switch from IDE mode to AHCI mode in firmware without first deleting the existing drive controller driver in device manager or Windows will fail to boot.

 

Thanks- my point being a clean install has merits here. Just to emphasise a difference between cloning and a clean install.

 

*Smile

It's really good and easy to upgrade to SSD.
Cloning means migrating your current Windows and your personal files from your source disk( where you will transfer from ) to destination disk ( where it will be saved .
It will move all your current settings and other OS files including updates you've installed in that Windows to the SSD. If your current windows is activated after cloning you don't need to activate as after migration process.

Clean install means you need to install Windows 10 on SSD for first time use and you will to activate it.
Its good to start fresh on SSD. BUt this is not advised so.

 

I've used Macrium Reflect Free several times to image my old system on a HDD and transfer it to a new SSD. This worked fine with no need to clean install and all programs worked. See my guide enclosed which works for Windows 10 also.