clarification on transferring everything to new desktop computer W10

Thanks ever so much NavyLCDR, great reply!

Thanks for taking the time and effort to explain this.

A great “how to” description.

(sorry but being a novice I will check below that I have understood some parts correctly)

This is what I originally thought must be possible. I was just not sure of the exact steps I must take. Also, since I never have had an SSD before, I was unsure if there were any issues putting a backup of an HDD onto an SSD. Now you have explained these steps.

Firstly, a little clarification on my part:

I used Ashampoo Backup Pro 12 to create my present backup of Drive C. (can use another Software if advisable)

Yes, I had already made an Ashampoo Rescue Disc (DVD = but a USB flash is probably better so will make one of these as well)

I have not done a Backup recovery for a C: drive before using Ashampoo (or used any other software for this), but I did use Ashampoo Backup Pro 12 last year to put the (backup) contents of an external drive that stopped working onto a new external drive. Worked fine. I had previously tried Macrium Reflect Free but found it to be a little too complicated (technical). However, if deemed advisable I can do a backup using MRF or other software (especially because of utility needed to clean up and connect properly with Boot = Step 4)?

Your “how to” description (checking I have understood correctly each step):

Step 1) Fine (W10 Pro is already installed on new SSD/computer, will activate/register it)

Step 2) Fine

Step 3) = (using Ashampoo Rescue USB Flash drive) “Delete only the existing C: drive partition on the new SSD installed in the new computer”

= So I assume that in the Rescue USB flash drive there is somewhere the option/possibility for me to access and delete the SSD W10 Pro system partition (= have never Used a Recovery Disc before = that is why I check that I understand correctly now)?

Then I connect the external drive with Backup and only install C: Drive Partition (= once again I check = so there is also the option for me in the Rescue USB Flash drive to select just this C: partition to restore?)

Step 4) “Run whatever utility there is to fix Windows booting problems which will point the existing boot files on the new SSD to the restored partition to load the OS from”

=so once again checking = in (Ashampoo) Rescue USB Flash drive there must/should be a utility that does this?

Step 5) “Upgrade from W10 Home to W10 Pro” (= how exactly? Or I will look for this info on Forum if it is there!)



* The used space of the present C: Drive is smaller than the 480 GB SSD (by about 80 GB, or more after doing cleaning up at the moment, but.....)

* Before I start, I will remove all unwanted software. Will move files and Folders/data that do not need to be on C: drive to secondary drive or external drive. Will run cleaner software. Then will carry out defragmentation. Finally, I will run the Ashampoo Backup software (or use another software) so backup on external storage drive is then as organised and clean and small as possible. Only after this will I start the above-described process.

* Do I need to check/change anything (on new computer/or old) in BIOS regarding using Recovery Flash USB drive? The New Computer came with SSD installed and factory setup, so BIOS should be set up correctly for this.

* I just thought of something that might be an issue, but I am not sure because of lack of experience!

I said the amount of C: drive (about 400 GB or less) is smaller than SSD (480 GB) and this is true. However, the backup is of the C: drive and this is a 1TB HDD (Capacity 869 GB). I do not know if the unused part plays a role? Plus there is a certain amount not shown in Capacity 1000 - 869 = 131 GB ? Should any or all of these be added to size (=1 TB) or just the used part of my data (400 GB) or my data + the amount not shown = 400 + 131 = 531 GB? That is a question beyond my knowledge.