Move Windows system from larger drive to smaller one.

By SoCalRox
in Microsoft (Windows)

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SoCalRox

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To help speed up my old Dell XPS-8100, I invested in some extra memory, and a new (small, inexpensive) SSD. My main HDD is a 1TB drive, and my new SSD is a 120GB drive. Is there any way to move my Windows install from the HDD to SSD and not have to reinstall? I have several software keys that are lost and a few where the vendor is out of business so there is no way to get the keys, and I'd just as soon avoid re-installing things if I can avoid it.

 

Personally, I haven't been able to figure out a way to do so, but folks here are way more creative and resourceful than am I. I do have a drive duplicator, but moving a 1TB drive to a 120GB SSD just seems unlikely to succeed.

 

Thanks!

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SoCalRox

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2 minutes ago, warwagon said:

I use True Image and just do a clone from one to the other. Though the new drive does have to have more space than the "amount used" on the drive you are cloning.

The 120 GB drive will have enough for the Windows install, a few apps I use often, swap space and room for fixes/updates. I've just been scratching my head about how to move everything. It's been a decade or more since I used Acronis's tools, so I didn't think of that. I'll need to grab a copy and give it a look.

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Brandon H Supervisor

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2 minutes ago, warwagon said:

A lot of SSD's also come with a CD which includes it's own cloning software.

starting to become less common again it seems like.

 

Another option if you don't have an Acronis licence you could always pick up a SATA-to-USB cord; they usually come with a Disc as well.

 

This is what I've used in the past https://www.amazon.com/VisionTek-Universal-Solid-Cloning-Transfer/dp/B007TWGRLS/ref=sr_1_16?crid=2H1HWPS2ANFP0&keywords=sata+to+usb+with+cloning+software&qid=1555530022&s=gateway&sprefix=sata+to+usb+software%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-16

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+Warwagon MVC

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24 minutes ago, SoCalRox said:

This was a VERY inexpensive Kingston SSD. I'm impressed that it came with the SSD it was so inexpensive. LOL!

Now that's funny. I have a Crap ton of 64GB Kingston. Mostly for syspreped win7 installs back in the day. These have been cloned ALOT and they are still going strong. these babies have been through a TON of writes and still kicking.

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SoCalRox

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I paid all of 19.99 for this SSD. 20 bucks for 120 GB SSD from a name brand maker. Un-freaking-believable. 

 

I've used Kingston stuff for a real long time. Never once had one die on me. Same thing with the Patriot DIMMs I have waiting to be installed. 

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Brandon H Supervisor

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3 minutes ago, SoCalRox said:

I paid all of 19.99 for this SSD. 20 bucks for 120 GB SSD from a name brand maker. Un-freaking-believable. 

damn; that's unbelievable. might need to pick up a couple of those myself (Y)

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+Warwagon MVC

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19 minutes ago, Brandon H said:

damn; that's unbelievable. might need to pick up a couple of those myself (Y)

https://smile.amazon.com/Kingston-120GB-Solid-SA400S37-120G/dp/B01N6JQS8C/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=kingston%2B120&qid=1555532837&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1

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Brandon H Supervisor

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7 minutes ago, warwagon said:

https://smile.amazon.com/Kingston-120GB-Solid-SA400S37-120G/dp/B01N6JQS8C/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=kingston%2B120&qid=1555532837&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1

slightly off-topic but who filled out the Product Details on that amazon entry? :rofl:


image.thumb.png.ba529fd4fef61db983efbf21d1f4b38c.png

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+BudMan MVC

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You don't need a lic for acronis - just download kingstons oem version for cloning to your new ssd

https://www.kingston.com/us/support/technical/acronis-download

 

While including the CD use to be how it was done, now you just download the software from the ssd makers site.. Pretty sure all the major makers provide this software for free on their sites.

 

https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/download/tools/

https://www.adata.com/en/ss/software-5/

https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/storage-ssd-getting-started

http://www.pny.com/qr/acronis-install

 

etc.. etc.. etc..

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SoCalRox

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Just in case any of you look back again, the day after BudMan's post, Windows crashed and I never could save the install (no hardware issues, just something hung and I couldn't get it back without powering down.) So, I did a fresh install. Now I get the joy of rebuilding it. That won't be hard since I can easily tell what was installed. 

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