Possible New SSD - How Easy is it to Transfer Current One?

By DirtyLarry
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Grand Master

DirtyLarry Veteran

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So I have fallen embarrassingly behind in the world of Windows PC components. I plan on building a new gaming centric PC, and have planned on building one for the past two years on and off, but I am holding off for the release of Virtual Reality, to first see how it is received, and assuming it is decent enough, I will build my next PC with top of the line VR support in mind. I will be all in so to speak.

However since VR is still a way off, I do want to upgrade my measly 128 GB current SSD drive that I am using with Windows 10

So my question is a pretty simple one...
If I pick up a new SSD, is there any simple way of transferring the contents of my current SSD to the new SSD without reinstalling Windows and starting from scratch so to speak?
I am guessing there is not an easy process in place to do so, but I want to ask first. This thread is somewhat time sensitive as with Black Friday almost upon us, I can pick up a very well reviewed 500GB SSD for less than I picked up my 128 GB (at the time).

So any advise would be greatly appreciated. Better yet any links or How To Videos would be fantastic.
TIA,
DL

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Grand Master

Open Minded

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There's also Samsung's program that does this for you if you have a Samsung drive.  You just need a USB to SATA adapter so you can image the new SSD.  Something like this...

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/861670/StarTechcom-USB-30-to-25-SATA/

Buy a Samsung SSD and a cable like that (USB 3.0 if your PC has it and you can find a USB 3.0 SATA adapter for faster transfer) hook up the new SSD to your USB 3.0 port, download the Samsung Magician software and follow the instructions for a disk clone.  It's really super easy.

 

Edit:  I don't know why I thought this was for a laptop.  Just slap in the drive on a SATA 3.0 port and run the software.

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Grand Master

MorganX

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Most will come with a cloning tool. If it does not, I highly recommend Macrium Reflect. It's rock solid reliable. I've done exactly what you're doing many times.

 

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Grand Master

DirtyLarry Veteran

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Awesome thanks for the fast replies everyone.
It is a Samsung I currently own and a Samsung I plan on picking up, so sounds like their cloning software should do the trick. I do not realize it existed as I picked up an OEM the first time around so it came with nothing iirc. That, or I just ignored what it came with.

Looking forward to this upgrade for sure. By the time the OS is installed and a handful of games are installed, I have not much space left at all.

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Grand Master

Open Minded

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Awesome thanks for the fast replies everyone.
 I do not realize it existed as I picked up an OEM the first time around so it came with nothing iirc.

You're welcome, and... even retail don't come with the software.  You have to download it.

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Grand Master

Anibal P

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You can easily clone a drive, personally I don't do that and will just reinstall, that will prevent weird bugs from happening and it's a clean install so you can really gauge how much nicer the new drive is 

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Grand Master

goretsky Supervisor

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Hello,

First things first:  Backup any valuable data, settings or other valuable information from the SSD.

I'm not sure if you're currently using a laptop (it sounds like a desktop) but if you are, I would suggest that you install the new SSD inside the laptop and attach the old SSD via a USB 3.0 to SATA adapter or enclosure.  Some laptops (notably ThinkPads, but probably others as well) occasionally have disk geometry issues during cloning if the new drive is mounted externally.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

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Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

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Just use the tool from Samsung as mentioned..  You can just download it from their site.

I recently did this when I saw a good price on the 850 pro's and been meaning to put a ssd in my wife's laptop.  I had a 840pro in my system.. So I got the new 850, imaged my desktop took all of like 8 minutes from my current ssd to new ssd via usb3 dock..  You really should have a usb cable or dock... They are really cheap and come in very handy all the time if working with disks..  Here is the one I currently have.. $23

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00APP6694

Once I did my system I did my wifes laptop to the old 840 pro.. Took quite a bit longer to image her old disk and her laptop doesn't have usb3.. Their software really is no brainer if you have samsung ssd.. Just grab copy of migration software in your lang, install on your machine.  Plug in new ssd via usb cable/dock, clickity clickity..

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/global/html/support/downloads.html

 

 

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Grand Master

+Fahim S. MVC

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I am a big fan of MiniTool Partition Manager. Used it lots for SSD migrations with no problems whatsoever.

http://www.partitionwizard.com/

Also would advise you get a cable as BudMan suggested, although I think $23 is a bit steep (unless you really want a dock). You can buy a cable for a lot less. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HJZJI84/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1448413811&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=usb+sata&dpPl=1&dpID=41RlR-Q1siL&ref=plSrch

My Samsung drive came with a USB cable. 

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Grand Master

Seahorsepip Veteran

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If you're moving to a whole new pc built with a new ssd consider the fact that windows can get deactivated because of the big amount of component changes and needs to be reactivated with a license key, oem licenses cannot be migrated because of this.

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Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

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While that cable is 10$ cheaper, it has some limits, since no power its only going to be able to power ssd or low cap 2.5 disk.. The one with the dock does both 2.5 and 3.5" provides power to the device from wall as well not just from the usb port.. Which can be flaky at times..  Also has a nice power button so your not jacking in disk hot, etc.  Makes for cleaner connect/disconnect with the power button.

There are lots of docks/cables out there..  Was just pointing out the one I use, I also have an older cable that does PATA and SATA both 2.5 and 3.5 which was like 20 bucks, since has own power, etc..  Someone playing with moving OS from SSD and HDD I don't think 10$ is going to be a deal breaker ;)  But sure for a specific job that cable would do the trick.  I got the one with the dock mostly because I quite often have lots of disks checking and working with much easier to connect and disconnect this way, etc.

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Grand Master

+Fahim S. MVC

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While that cable is 10$ cheaper, it has some limits, since no power its only going to be able to power ssd or low cap 2.5 disk.. The one with the dock does both 2.5 and 3.5" provides power to the device from wall as well not just from the usb port.. Which can be flaky at times..  Also has a nice power button so your not jacking in disk hot, etc.  Makes for cleaner connect/disconnect with the power button.

There are lots of docks/cables out there..  Was just pointing out the one I use, I also have an older cable that does PATA and SATA both 2.5 and 3.5 which was like 20 bucks, since has own power, etc..  Someone playing with moving OS from SSD and HDD I don't think 10$ is going to be a deal breaker ;)  But sure for a specific job that cable would do the trick.  I got the one with the dock mostly because I quite often have lots of disks checking and working with much easier to connect and disconnect this way, etc.

 

I know... I was providing a cheaper option that is good enough for a large number uses (I have used mine for 2.5 and 3.5 drives - no power, but works fine).  Obviously if you want, can afford and can justify the Ferrari, buy the Ferrari ;)

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Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

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I wouldn't call a $20 item a Ferrari ;)  But sure ok its a cheaper option with less features ;)

If you want a ferrari in the docking world, maybe something like this with dual dock and clone feature ;) $45

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters®-Dual-SATA-Standalone-Function/dp/B00MOL4RES/

Or here is one for $36 that has esata, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Anker®-External-Docking-Station-Support/dp/B005UA3I72/

Lots of different options to skin the cat here.. But even at $45 not sure I would consider it "ferrari"  more like a kia vs a fiat ;)

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Rising Star

floopydoodle

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^ no one said to blow away the original disk before you had tested the new one out ;)

I didn't say I did. But it was a much more lengthy process as I had to find an alternative tool to do the job.

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Grand Master

BinaryData

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Just use the tool from Samsung as mentioned..  You can just download it from their site.

I recently did this when I saw a good price on the 850 pro's and been meaning to put a ssd in my wife's laptop.  I had a 840pro in my system.. So I got the new 850, imaged my desktop took all of like 8 minutes from my current ssd to new ssd via usb3 dock..  You really should have a usb cable or dock... They are really cheap and come in very handy all the time if working with disks..  Here is the one I currently have.. $23

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00APP6694

Once I did my system I did my wifes laptop to the old 840 pro.. Took quite a bit longer to image her old disk and her laptop doesn't have usb3.. Their software really is no brainer if you have samsung ssd.. Just grab copy of migration software in your lang, install on your machine.  Plug in new ssd via usb cable/dock, clickity clickity..

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/global/html/support/downloads.html

 

 

Ohhh! I just bought that one, BudMan. Since the USB 2.0 one I have now, doesn't work with SSDs, even though it states it does. 

@ OP I have a Samsung 850 Pro right now, amazing little drives. I'm looking at getting a larger one, 120GB simply isn't enough space for all the crap I install. And I was told to not install anything to another drive, for "security" reasons. =/

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Ravensky

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I wouldn't call a $20 item a Ferrari ;)  But sure ok its a cheaper option with less features ;)

If you want a ferrari in the docking world, maybe something like this with dual dock and clone feature ;) $45

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters®-Dual-SATA-Standalone-Function/dp/B00MOL4RES/

Or here is one for $36 that has esata, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Anker®-External-Docking-Station-Support/dp/B005UA3I72/

Lots of different options to skin the cat here.. But even at $45 not sure I would consider it "ferrari"  more like a kia vs a fiat ;)

I use the $45 one at work all the time for cloning Mac drives...works beautifully

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Grand Master

PGHammer

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There is Acronis True Image which allows that, but not free.

http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/

Actually, it's included with some SSDs (Samsung) and platter drives as well, (such as WD) - the real issue (as it is with platter drives) is making sure the target is larger than the source.

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