Upgrade to SSD Process

WIanB · 10 Sep 2016

New guy with 1st question, so hello all!
I am considering upgrading my C: drive (500Gb HD) with a SanDisk Extreme Pro 240Gb SSD. I am fairly confident with the cloning process but just to make sure:

1. Will I have to reduce the partition size of the HD to 240 Gb - I'm guessing that I will have to in order for things to 'fit'?
2. Will a 'straight forward' clone do the job or will some other sort of magic be required? I will use Acronis to clone the drive.
3. And the crunch question! The Windows 10 Home version installed is OEM, will MS throw a fit with the change of drive?

CountMike · 10 Sep 2016

Hi' Welcome.
1. Yes you can't stick something bigger in something else smaller.
2. I would suggest making full system backup of so adjusted partitions with Macrium Reflect if you have a place to temporarily store it somewhere else and than restore it to SSD but above all, a clean install on SSD would be ultimately best solution. Before clean installation you should change SATA to AHI mode for it's best operation.
3.No, MS will not "throw a fit" because of disk change, license is tied up to your MB only.

topgundcp · 10 Sep 2016

As long as the files/data occupied in the 500GB HD can fit the 240GB SSD.
It is advisable to copy the partitions instead of cloning. By copying, the SSD cluster size will be properly aligned.
IMHO, The easiest way is to use: Macrium Reflect Free which you can copy from the HDD to SSD directly while running Windows. No need to backup/Restore as advised by others.
Example:
Source disk (250GB) contains all windows partitions
Destination (150GB) contains all partitions from Source disk.
With the destination disk connected. Boot up Windows and run Macrium. Follow the video to copy:

WIanB · 10 Sep 2016

Thanks to both for the quick replies! Whilst I am happy on reducing the size of the HD partition copying seems the way to go, simple and quick

A clean install would be a major pain as all apps are also on the C: drive.
I will download Macrium Reflect as it does seem to be very popular.