Upgrade (SSD to SSD) on Windows 7

Yes, the time has come to install a bigger/faster SSD. I have a 80GB and am forever clearing temp files, etc. to to keep my disk space indicator from turning red. A clean install is not of interest - would take way too much time to re-establish my tools. I'm leaning towards an Intel 535 120GB. That'll give plenty of OS partition space (will replace machine next year).

I have a 100MB System partition and a ~74MB Boot partition on the existing SSD. I also have an E drive for data which is an Intel RST RAID 1 volume on two 500GB drives.

I've been doing some Googling and read about using Macrium or Paragon Migrate to migrate from HDD to SSD. Am posting this thread to get specific suggestions on doing an SSD to SSD upgrade. I was going to do a Windows image restore, but reading forums here lead me to believe that I'll better luck using one of those 3rd party tools. Hoping someone here with experience can share specific recommended instructions.

Thanks, Chris

Definitely try Macrium free, create the bootable media within the program and use it to boot. (No difference between SSD and HDD with regards to imaging). You can just use the cloning function I believe and then once finished, shutdown and remove old SSD. Adjust boot order in BIOS and boot with new SSD. (keep old SSD safe until you are sure new one is set as you want it to be). If booting successfully, go into Disk Management and see if partitions are correct size. If not post a screenshot here for further instructions.

Thanks. After posting, I was reading this:
How to move from a smaller SSD to a larger SSD
which discusses 'Drive Cloning' vs 'Drive Imaging'
"Both methods are supported but cloning using Acronis has some drawbacks for users who want to move from a smaller SSD that has multiple partitions Acronis recommends the ‘Backup and Recovery method’ (Imaging). Disk imaging will create an image of all your partitions and restore them to the new Solid State Drive (SSD)."

But are you saying that because I only have system and boot partitions that I'll be ok using the (presumably simpler) clone method? Also, I'm still hoping to get an understanding of why people say NOT to just use a Windows system image.

GokAy said:

Definitely try Macrium free, create the bootable media within the program and use it to boot. (No difference between SSD and HDD with regards to imaging). You can just use the cloning function I believe and then once finished, shutdown and remove old SSD. Adjust boot order in BIOS and boot with new SSD. (keep old SSD safe until you are sure new one is set as you want it to be). If booting successfully, go into Disk Management and see if partitions are correct size. If not post a screenshot here for further instructions.

If you clone without changing partition sizes, we can fix it later with Disk Management or if that fails Partition Wizard free. Drive Imaging is good (I use it daily with Acronis), but you need to image first to a file and then restore from it. That's why I said clone, both are good methods nevertheless.

Thanks Ranger4 - that's good advice on buying an SSD that I can take to next machine