Windows 10 Install: How To Do It?

NiceAndShy · 19 May 2020

Hi all,

Sorry to be creating a thread about such a simple task, but after searching for help online I couldn't find much information.

My main PC's internal HDD is running Windows 10, however, this PC's internal HDD is dying so I want to buy a new internal HDD for this PC and install my current copy of Windows 10 onto this new internal HDD.

What's the best way for me to take my current Windows 10 settings and files with me to the new internal HDD?

Thank you.

AndreTen · 19 May 2020

I would make system image with Macrium free, and then restore it to new hard drive.
This way you keep all of your installed programs and settings.

This is really straightforward operation. You could transfere the system directly, but I prefer making image on external drive - you need backup anyway, then replacing HD, and restore the image to new HD. You will also need USB drive to boot from

f14tomcat · 19 May 2020

Agree fully with Andre's method, very straight forward. Just one question for you, NiceAndShy. If you need to replace the boot drive (the dying HDD), why not an SSD instead? You will notice and get a huge performance boost. They are well worth the cost and that cost is coming down. Don't know the size you are dealing with, but a 250GB SSD on Amazon is $59.99 USD. Not bad.

https://www.amazon.com/250gb-ssd/s?k=250gb+ssd

rqt · 19 May 2020

As your current hard drive is failing the Windows installation on it will almost certainly contain errors - so any image you create from it will have those errors & if you restore that image to your new hard drive it will have the same errors.

So I would do a clean install of Windows, re-create your settings, re-install your apps & then copy your data files from a backup. This in my opinion is the only way to end up with a reliable new Windows installation.

(+1 on the SSD suggestion)

f14tomcat · 19 May 2020

rqt said:

As your current hard drive is failing the Windows installation on it will almost certainly contain errors - so any image you create from it will have those errors & if you restore that image to your new hard drive it will have the same errors.

So I would do a clean install of Windows, re-create your settings, re-install your apps & then copy your data files from a backup. This in my opinion is the only way to end up with a reliable new Windows installation.

(+1 on the SSD suggestion)

Agree, in principle, but....... It depends on what errors he is getting. If it is the HDD re-mapping bad sectors and still surviving, getting an image off to restore should be clean. If he does not hesitate too long. A dying HDD doesn't necessarily embed errors in the image. There's a good chance the image will be fine, without waiting too long. That's the key, do it now, not wait.

rqt · 19 May 2020

"If he does not hesitate too long"

If you have a look at the OP's history you will find that this hard drive problem has been going on for months.

idgat · 19 May 2020

Can't see post #1 ... has it been deleted ?

MeAndMyComputer · 19 May 2020

Does Macrium Reflect Free restore to dissimilar hardware?

f14tomcat · 19 May 2020

MeAndMyComputer said:

Does Macrium Reflect Free restore to dissimilar hardware?

Yes you can, but if you are referring to the "Deploy to Different Hardware" option, that's only in paid. He would have to let Windows find what it could and manually do the rest. Referring to the drivers.........

f14tomcat · 19 May 2020

idgat said:

Can't see post #1 ... has it been deleted ?

Nope, still there. Here's a pic...........