Windows 7: I want to move my Windows Install and data to a faster drive on my sys

Hi all, any help on this would be appreciated, I am not the best with instructions but would benefit from a easy to follow guide for doing this.

I have my Windows currently on the drive that came with my PC, a WDC green 1TB.

I have since obtained a faster Seagate 500GB hard drive.

What i wanted to do was create a 50GB partition on the new HDD and some how get my current windows install and data on to the new drive without having to reinstall all software, etc.

I believe this is achievable but i dont fully understand the process.

I should mention however that my windows back up will not work, it never has, it says that their is some issue, I do have some software that will create a Back Up but i believe i need a system image???

I have 732GB free on the WDC and 465GB free on the Seagate. would all my other files like program files remain on the old hard drive?

Is it just the windows bit that i would be moving over and how would i get the new hdd to recognise that the program files are still elsewhere?

Also how would i get the PC to boot from the new drive?

Is there any benefit in doing this, i believe it can help to have windows on a faster disk?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

PS - hope this is in the right place?

There is a definite advantage to having your OS on a speedy drive.

Try this:

Imaging with free Macrium

I don't think you want to leave your Program Files where they are - why not have your programs on the faster drive, too?

You can use either WD or Seagate's free premium Acronis cloning or imaging program to clone the old HD onto the new one, or backup an image externally to reimage onto the new HD.

Perhaps easiest would be the cloning, which will auto adjust the size to the new HD. But if you want a saved backup of you system as it exists now, the save the image.

The manual is on the Download page and easy to understand. Read it through once and you'll understand the whole magilla:
WD Acronis free cloning app
Seagate Acronis cloning free util

You can use the base of this Tutorial:
SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

Thanks for your fast answers, I have read through the tutorial relating to SSDs and now feel very scared! LOL

Mainly because i still dont really understand , it makes it all sound so easy, but things rarely ever are.

Forgive me, if I use the clone tool, what do i then do with the old active partition, do i wipe it and if so when, I understand that I have to change my Boot device in BIOS, that I can handle, but for a time will I not have 2 Active boot partitions until I wipe the first disk.

Sorry for my lack of understanding on this, just i would rather ask the questions before i start than after.

Cheers Guys.

After Cloning, remove the old HD.

When you say remove, do you mean physically? I would still like to use the drive for storage?

You can just unplug,but make sure you have Windows 7 running OK before replug back in.
Your new HD needs to be Disk0. the old HD to be disk1.


If needed run Startup Repair
Startup Repair
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

Thanks for your help and information, please forgive me as I am coming across dumb!

Just assure me of the procedure:

I run the clone tool, this clones my current HD to the new HD, I then unplug the old HD and try to restart Windows, where do i set the disk 0 and disk 1 information?

In BIOS i have device boot priority, should i set that to the new HD before attempting to restart Windows? and after unplugging the old HD?

Then if needed run start up repair.

Get Windows working.

Plug in old HD maintaining the BIOS settings, I should explain that both drives are SATA, dont know if that makes a difference.

Get into Windows and format the old HD?

I could then save a backup of the new HD to the old one yes?

If i did that would it be best to create a seperate partition for the back up on the old HD?

I should then have a clean drive with 2 partitions, 1 for back up, 1 fresh for storage.

And windows will run from the new HD??

Please bear with me, i just want to make absolutely sure before i attempt this, Thanks again.

Your new Hd should first on the MOBO, & first HD boot in BIOS.