Need help transferring my Windows install to an SSD

Hey guys. So here's my situation: I have like 200gb worth of files on my current harddrive and I recently bought a 500gb SSD. I'd like to basically clone my Windows install and all of my files onto the new SSD.
I researched how to do this and learned that a good thing to try is migrating everything over by using a program like Clonezilla or something similar. I tried doing this a while back with a couple different programs and both failed during the transferring process.
Both programs gave me some kind of error. I can't remember exactly what the error said but basically I don't want to try this method anymore and I have an idea but I'm not sure if it will work.
Here's my idea:

1. Set my SDD up to where I have 2 partitions on it.
   
2. I've read that it is possible to create a "backup image" file of my Windows install somehow, so I can learn how to make one of those.
   
3. Place the backup image of Windows that I make onto the first partition of the SSD.
   
4. Uninstall / deactivate my current HDD install of Windows and do a fresh install onto the 2nd partition of the SSD.
   
5. Restore the backup image file I created and hopefully, voila - I have everything exactly the same again but just on the new SSD.

If anyone with experience in doing stuff like this could give me their two cents, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

what ssd did you purchase case by rights it should either come with or at least point you to their software for migrating your os. if not try............

https://www.partitionwizard.com/part...10-to-ssd.html

LOTN said:

what ssd did you purchase case by rights it should either come with or at least point you to their software for migrating your os. if not try............

https://www.partitionwizard.com/part...10-to-ssd.html

Crucial MX300 2.5" 525GB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

I think I threw away the packaging for it so I can't look But I really don't think there was any info with it about migrating but maybe there was...??

Hmm, well I will check out that link you posted. Hopefully I will be able to use that method. Thanks

good luck. if that doesn't do it for you just holler and i or someone should be able to help.

I think that the easiest way to transfer would be to use cloning software.

Crucial offers a version of Acronis True Image:

http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Crucial-...15/ta-p/171023

I haven't used this. My last cloning was with a Samsung SSD and their "Magician" software. (I may have had to run disk cleanup and chkdsk before the cloning would complete. I also disconnected the laptop from the network.)

MaGlCMaN said:

If anyone with experience in doing stuff like this could give me their two cents, I'd really appreciate it.

This is what I would do, you will need an 8 GB USB flash drive:

1. Prepare the USB flash drive for booting:
Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive

At step 9, make sure to use FAT32 file system to make it compatible with UEFI:
To format the partition, type format fs=fat32 quick, and then click ENTER.

At step 12, mount the Windows 10 installation ISO file and copy all the files and folders over from the mounted ISO file to the USB flash drive. I prefer to download Windows 10 ISO files from here:
Windows 10 ISO

2. Convert the Windows 10 USB flash drive to boot into Kyhi's recovery drive, see my quote in the middle of the OP here:
Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

3. Disconnect your old HDD and have only the new SSD connected to the computer, make sure your UEFI/BIOS is set for AHCI for the SATA controllers and not IDE. Boot from the USB flash drive into Kyhi's Recovery Tools. Use the partition manager program (AEOMI Partition Manager) to delete all the existing partitions on the SSD and initialize it as GPT. Run setup.exe from the USB flash drive to do a clean install of Windows 10 onto the SSD.

4. Make sure the computer boots from the SSD, then shut down the computer.

5. Reconnect your old HDD. Boot the computer again from the USB flash drive into Kyhi's Recovery Tools. Run the Macrium Reflect program. "Clone" the operating system partition only from the HDD to the OS partition on the SDD, resizing it in the process. After the copying is done, under the restore menu find the utility to fix Windows startup problems. Run that to attach the copied OS partition to the boot files on the SSD.

6. Boot the computer from the SSD.

Thanks for the replies guys, but I've already tried using "cloning software" like Macrium Reflect and Clonezilla. Both gave me errors during the process and it couldn't be completed. I think my hdd might have some bad sectors or something? So yea, I really need to figure out a way to do this without using cloning software, if possible :/

You can try fixing the files on your old hard drive by right clicking on start icon, select Command Prompt (Admin) and enter:

chkdsk C: /offlinescanandfix

Assuming you are booted into Windows from the hard drive.

This was covered recently. See my post 7 here https://www.tenforums.com/installatio...s-install.html

You might find the guide useful.