Moving Windows to a 2nd Hard drive

[DaveGreen93]

Right guys, I need some ideas.

 

What would be the best and cheapest (preferably free) way to transfer Windows 8.1from my SSD to another clean hard drive in my computer?

 

I want to spend a bit more time on Windows 10 with a clean installation ready for the upgrade to RTM, but I'm not fully prepared to commit and remove Windows 8 with all the software loaded.

So ideally, I can dual boot to return to W8 whenever I please.

 

Thanks for your time in advance!

[James035]

You can migrate Windows 8.1 system to HDD by cloning the system drive with some help tools, such as free disk imaging software like EaseUS Todo Backup http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm

[Baleno_E]

I guess Clonezilla would be a good choice. It's free. 

 

http://clonezilla.org/

[T3X4S]

"right guys" ?

right what ?

[Forjo]

Check the OCZ website. Most SSD manufacturers have partnerships that allow them to offer a free cloning utility with their drives. Intel and Western Digital, for example, use Acronis.

 

-Forjo

[+devHead Subscriber²]

I did it with Clonezilla, and it worked like a charm.

[DaveGreen93]

Thanks for all your suggestions, I will take a look at the software and get back with a "Mark Solved" once I get back from holiday.

[DaveGreen93]

Okay, so I had a bit of an issue with Clonezilla failing to work and messing up the OS' boot records, all fixed now though.

 

Hopefully tomorrow I can try another solution starting with EaseUs