Replacing HDD with SSD

debitcardmayhem

Neil49 said:

Virtually all of the free cloning software now excludes copying over the operating system (which is a way of getting you to pay for the full product).

I installed an ssd recently and went down the route of a fresh windows install. All went very well although time consuming. Just back everything up and verify before starting. 

Not totally true do a legacy windows 7 backup and restore from that it’s all included from W7 onwards.

Newcad

If you want to clone the existing system to the new drive then most SSDs come with links to software and instructions that you can use to do that.

Some include a link to special versions designed for use with their drive.
eg. when you buy a Cucial SSD you get access to a custom version of Acronis: https://uk.crucial.com/support/articles-faq-ssd/acronis-for-crucial-faq
Samsung SSDs also have their own software: https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/support/tools/

Other (budget) makes may leave you to find/choose your own cloning software.

I've done it both ways with my laptops,
This laptop I got a Crucial MX500 SSD for and cloned the existing system from the old HDD using their version of Acronis the link for which which came with the MX drive, so it was exactly the same with all my installed software and files, but now on a faster drive.
My other laptop I fitted a cheaper brand 240 GB SSD and reinstalled Windows 10 from scratch.
Both methods worked with no hitches, and each took under 2 hours, the new install was slightly faster to do than the clone. However I put that down to not having to open the casing, the drive on the other laptop is behind a trap-door and so easily accessible to change without having to open the whole case.

TELLIT01

Murmansk said:

Just in case it's of any help, I can tell you I had a local computer shop add some memory and change the hard drive for a solid state drive, it transformed the laptop and cost £110 - I thought this was very reasonable

I think that's the route I'm likely to take.  They have the expertise and did a great job of recovering data from a desktop PC when it died.

grumpycrab

Bit late but... if you DIY I have had most success with Macrium (free or free trial I believe it is now); of-course you need a SATA/USB caddy/cable.  OR do a clean install to SSD and put the old drive in caddy (NB. you'll have to install all your non-MS apps)

TELLIT01

grumpycrab said:

Bit late but... if you DIY I have had most success with Macrium (free or free trial I believe it is now); of-course you need a SATA/USB caddy/cable.  OR do a clean install to SSD and put the old drive in caddy (NB. you'll have to install all your non-MS apps)

Thanks, but I'm looking for a solution which clones the existing drive so I don't have to reinstall anything.  I do plan to keep the old drive in a caddy as it has 170Gb of photo's on it.