Transfer EVERYTHING 1:1 from old mini PC to new mini PC

Hi guys,

I have a purchased a new HP Z2 Mini G9 Workstation PC for work.
Specs wise it's a direct upgrade from my current Terra Mini Workstation PC which still runs on Windows 10.
However, to continue the work seamlessly, I really need everything transferred 1:1.

The new Z2 mini has Windows 11 pre-installed.
My current Mini Workstation PC is connected to our Network Shared Folder, has my own MS User Account and makes use of a custom developed ERP system.

Without opening either PC's up, what would be the best way to transfer everything 1:1?
I was looking at Macrium Reflect.
My thought process was as following: image the current SSD in the current PC to a fresh external HDD, then connect the external HDD to the entirely fresh and new PC and restore the image.
I haven't even unboxed the new workstation PC yet.

Would this achieve exactly what I need?

Thanks!

Macrium REFLECT FREE can do that as well as almost any other FREE imaging tool (I would suggest the Hasleo Backup Suite). There will be issues though. Your new PC will have different hardware than the old one so you may have some hardware driver issues with the new one. Macrium PAID has what's called a "reDeploy" feature which will help in that driver area but probably won't solve all your issues... Hasleo has a similar feature as well. You will most likely have to hunt down some more modern drivers for your new hardware before it's all over.

There may also be software licensing issues with some of your software apps and it may affect your Windows licensing as well. It's worth a try to see what happens but be prepared for possible reinstallation of some software and most likely a bout with Microsoft to get the old System activation transferred to the new System.

Samuria said:

Things to think about are both pcs the same you could copy everything and it then not activate, it may not have new drivers if you use the old pc on the network both will seem to be the same pc as the sid will be the same.Are they both 11?
Its worth trying first setting sync on and msbackup when I got my new mini pc most settings and programs came across on their own

Unfortunately the current PC is on Windows 10 and the new one on Windows 11. I'd prefer if I was able to put Windows 10 on my new machine was opposed to Windows 11. Will look into it.

FroggyTheGremli said:

Macrium REFLECT FREE can do that as well as almost any other FREE imaging tool (I would suggest the Hasleo Backup Suite). There will be issues though. Your new PC will have different hardware than the old one so you may have some hardware driver issues with the new one. Macrium PAID has what's called a "reDeploy" feature which will help in that driver area but probably won't solve all your issues... Hasleo has a similar feature as well. You will most likely have to hunt down some more modern drivers for your new hardware before it's all over.

There may also be software licensing issues with some of your software apps and it may affect your Windows licensing as well. It's worth a try to see what happens but be prepared for possible reinstallation of some software and most likely a bout with Microsoft to get the old System activation transferred to the new System.

I'm wary of licensing issues, luckily I have the serial keys documented and in the end, if the Windows key clashes, I'm prepared to buy a new one.

idgat said:

Image new installation (insurance)

Image old > restore to new device > reboot > connect internet and run updates including hardware updates

EDIT : Or if it's easily accessible, just swap out the old drive (after imaging) and restore the image to a new blank drive. That way, the old drive stays intact

Control Panel > Device Manager > View menu > Show hidden devices > go through each device category, one by one (painstaking, but it works) > old obsolete drivers will be grayed out > right click, one by one > Uninstall device, including removal of software, if prompted

Unfortunately taking them out of the mini pc's is not as easy as I'd like it to be, hence why I'd prefer refraining from opening them up and voiding warranty as it's work related. I have a question about restoring to the new device. Do I just setup the new PC on Windows 11 the usual way, then download Macrium on the new PC and restore the image from then on? That should work okay for the restoration process?

Thanks all

Just make sure that the "new" Win 11 get's activated and the digital license is written to the UEFI before you recover from old to new

Samuria said:

Are you sure 10 has all the drivers?

So my plan is this, I will execute it next week.

Use Macrium Free to create a clone to an external HDD of my current Windows 10 PC.

Activate my new Windows 11 PC and note the license

Use Macrium Paid with Redeploy to restore the clone to my new Windows 11 PC

Technically, this should work right?
In my scenario I should be using clone and not an image from my understanding and research

Thanks again!

If you run a (C:) backup of your "old" and recover it to the "new" it should work as well

Pentagon said:

If you run a (C:) backup of your "old" and recover it to the "new" it should work as well

What's the difference between cloning and imaging then in this scenario?

Thanks