Installation/Upgrade Question?

saltyseadog · 08 Apr 2021

I am in the process of buying a new 1TB m-2 NVMe SSD to replace my present 120GB SSD. Which of the options in the Installation tutorials in the forum above would be the simplest one for me install considering I am a 71yr old pensioner and although I have built three of my own computers now I do not keep up with the latest tech in this regard. My OS is Windows 10 version 20H2 (OS build 19042.906) and I am wanting to avoid a reinstallation from my installation disk and then have to install over 5yrs of updates manually. If there was a way to copy my present install to the new SSD card it would be appreciated, if not what is the simplest way to do it?.

dalchina · 08 Apr 2021

Hi, you will find a good number of pensioners here...

Cloning your disk can be done fairly readily
How to clone a disk with Macrium Reflect 7.x

zbook · 08 Apr 2021

A free backup image can be saved to another disk drive or the cloud.
The disk drive can be replaced and the image restored.

Before performing the free backup image and after restoring the image you can tune up Windows.

Run:
Tuneup.bat - Click here to go to the BSOD batch repository to download and run this batch file.

BSOD - Posting Instructions
How to Upload and Post Screenshots and Files at Ten Forums

Macrium Software | It's our Business to protect your data
Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

NavyLCDR · 08 Apr 2021

The biggest question, @saltyseadog, is what type of SSD is the current 120 GB SSD? Is it plugged into the m.2 slot that the new SSD will go into? If it is, then you will have to save an image of the current SSD onto another drive (internal or external), swap the SSDs, then restore the image to the new SSD. Or you will have to get an NVME M.2 to USB adapter and then you can clone.

If the current 120GB is SATA plugged into a SATA port, then you can clone.

Bree · 08 Apr 2021

saltyseadog said:

...considering I am a 71yr old pensioner...

That's young compared to some of the members here, and only a couple of years ahead of me

Clone to a new drive or make an image and restore to the new drive - both should work well.

Personally I'd make a Macrium image, install the new drive, then restore to that. You have the option to resize partitions while restoring.

Modifying restore destination partition properties - KnowledgeBase v7.2 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

NavyLCDR · 08 Apr 2021

You also get the option to resize when cloning, as well.

saltyseadog · 09 Apr 2021

The present Samsung SSD is a SATA drive so I will be able to clone it. On that matter as the new 1TB NVMe drive is also a Samsung would it be better to use the Samsung Data Transfer tool rather than Macrium Reflect?.

- - - Updated - - -

NavyLCDR said:

You also get the option to resize when cloning, as well.

Thanks for the reply, what exactly does that mean?.

Paul Black · 09 Apr 2021

Hello @saltyseadog,

Here is some information that might help . . .

Macrium Reflect - Imaging & Backup

Macrium Reflect is a trusted and recommended source that is widely used in this forum, therefore, there is plenty of help available for ANY questions or advice if needed.

Download => Macrium Reflect - FREE Edition

Quote from their website . . .

FREE Edition

A free back up, disk imaging, and cloning solution capable of meeting the needs of both commercial and personal users.

Protect your data, upgrade your hard disk or try new operating systems safe in the knowledge that everything is securely saved in an easily recovered backup file. Macrium Reflect supports back up to local, network, and USB drives, and is licensed for both home and business use.

Information & Tutorials:

> Macrium Reflect KnowledgeBase
> Macrium Reflect User Guide - PDF

Videos:

These Videos are listed in alphabetical order as opposed to relevance order.

> How to Clone a Disk Drive using Macrium Reflect and Resize the Partition
> How to Clone Windows With Macrium Reflect Free - HDD to SSD Upgrade 2020 [ In Depth Tutorial ]
> How to Clone your HDD to SSD With Macrium Free Software

I hope this helps!

ignatzatsonic · 09 Apr 2021

Are you sure that your motherboard supports booting from an NVMe drive?

The Samsung tool may work well for your purposes, but you can likely get more support on this site if you use Macrium.

If cloning fails, try imaging. Cloning may well be less confusing and fewer steps than imaging, but might be a bit more prone to failure.

Any "resize" issues can be dealt with after the fact, so I wouldn't be highly concerned about it at this point.

saltyseadog · 09 Apr 2021

ignatzatsonic said:

Are you sure that your motherboard supports booting from an NVMe drive?

The Samsung tool may work well for your purposes, but you can likely get more support on this site if you use Macrium.

If cloning fails, try imaging. Cloning may well be less confusing and fewer steps than imaging, but might be a bit more prone to failure.

Any "resize" issues can be dealt with after the fact, so I wouldn't be highly concerned about it at this point.

Unless I am mistaken that is it where it says 20GB/s M2 it also says in the spec sheet in the link.
https://static.gigabyte.com/StaticFi...14552/png/1000