How do I move Windows 7 to another drive

bobka · May 15, 2012

Greetings. I am new. This is my first post here.

I have a regular HDD. I am about to buy SSD. I wish to move my Windows 7 as well as one of my games to that drive. What is the best way of moving Windows 7 to new drive, while leaving all storage folders, like Documents, Downloads, My pictures, Etc. on HDD? Please note that I have made backup and I have made an Image Backup.

Thank you.

seavixen32 · May 15, 2012

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Check out this tutorial.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

ignatzatsonic · May 15, 2012

Is your data on the same partition as your operating system on the HDD?

You say you have made a "backup". Of what?

You say you have made an image. Of what?

bobka · May 15, 2012

ignatzatsonic said:
Is your data on the same partition as your operating system on the HDD?

You say you have made a "backup". Of what?

You say you have made an image. Of what?

I backed up entire drive. There are two partitions. Windows installed on the same partition as everything else.

I backed up entire drive to image using Windows image backup. I also backed up my entire drive using WD SmartWare.

I would say that the latter only backed up files but not the structure.

ignatzatsonic · May 15, 2012

Post a picture of Windows Disk Management to avoid any confusion. We need to know what is on both partitions.

I have no idea what WD SmartWare is and so I don't know what it might have backed up.

Generally speaking: you can clone your existing system to the SSD or you can make an image of the HDD and then restore that image to the SSD. Cloning and imaging are different processes.

Both can work. Both can fail. Most here use imaging.

gregrocker · May 15, 2012

Since you have WD I'd use the Acronis premium imaging/cloning suite which comes free with any WD in the mix: WD Acronis free cloning app

This gives you the choice to save a backup image externaly to reimage to SSD, or clone it over directly.

Be sure to choose if offered to include MBR and Track0. Leave drive letter set to Auto.

You may need to align after cloning/imaging: SSD Alignment - Windows 7 Forums

bobka · May 15, 2012

My WD is an external backup, that I don't use daily. But I will I'll look into what you suggest. Thank you. In the mean time here is my Disk Management picture.

bobka · May 15, 2012

Here it is.

ignatzatsonic · May 15, 2012

Your C drive has over 800 GB used.

You can't move an 800 GB partition to an SSD--as far as I know, none of them are that large.

You need to reduce the size of C--likely by moving some or all of your personal data to an external drive.

Then shrink C to a size equal to or smaller than your SSD, using Windows Disk Management or possibly Partition Wizard bootable disc.

Then clone or image it.

You would have to include the System Reserved partition in the clone or image.

bobka · May 15, 2012

Yes. I figured that Windows is around 40G. So my original question was, how can I move only Windows. yes, my image was of entire drive. So I want to figure a way to only move Windows, because all else is pretty much personal files, applications, games, etc. If I wanted to move everything, I would just use clone form one of my backup apps. So this is my dilemma. Is it doable? My new drive will be 128Gig.

@ignatzatsonic Add: Ok I just re-read your post. I think I know what there is to do, and it is going to be a hassle, but I guess there is no other way. I'll report my outcome.

Question: How much space should I allocate on drive C:?

ignatzatsonic · May 15, 2012

Do you or don't you have another drive to which you can move your data from C?

Images contain EVERYTHING on a partition. In your case, 800 plus GB unless you reduce that.

So ordinary imaging is out unless you shrink C.

I think certain specialized apps can clone (not image) ONLY what you specify, which may be what you need. I can't recall who makes such an app--I'd look at Paragon, they tend to have the most exotic partition and cloning tools.

You'd almost certainly have to pay for that app.

What you want to do is easily done for no money, IF you can get your data off of C.

I assume you want to use your current hard drive to store all your data after you get the OS and applications moved to the SSD?

bobka · May 15, 2012

Last time I checked (about a year ago) paragon was offering free application. Maybe it is trimmed. I'll look again. My WD is my backup drive. It is 2 TB. I will probably erase the image file and create a second backup set that is most recent. I will then image or clone Drive C, launch SSD, and turn my HDD into storage drive. But before I do, I'll explore paragon options. I just didn't really want to have folders like Download and My Documents on SSD, as now I will need to make shortcuts instead, unless there is a way to point the folder to another drive.

seavixen32 · May 15, 2012

This tutorial explains how to move your user folders to another location.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html

bobka · May 15, 2012

Very great. Thank you very much for all the information. I will report on the success of my endeavor once my drive arrives. In the mean time, I will backup everything again.

ignatzatsonic · May 15, 2012

Paragon has many apps. Some are free. But the "clone only what you want to" feature (if they offer it at all) would be found only on certain apps.

If I understand you correctly, you have a 2 TB external.

I'd just move my data to that.

Then shrink C down to less than SSD size--say 125 or 100.

At that point, you could use either cloning or imaging to get what's left of C over to the SSD. I'd probably image as I am more familiar with it.

You'd store the image of C on the external and then install the SSD and restore from the external.

bobka · May 15, 2012

I need about 60Gig for my WoW game. Is that doable to have 68 Gig for Windows Drive?

ignatzatsonic · May 15, 2012

bobka said:
I need about 60Gig for my WoW game. Is that doable to have 68 Gig for Windows Drive?

I'm not sure I understand the question.

Windows 7 alone takes no more than 20 GB.

You will have a 128 GB SSD with about 119 usable.

So you will have 119 minus roughly 20 aka 99 GB for apps/games/whatever, after Windows is installed.

Evaluate your current setup and make a judgement.

bobka · May 15, 2012

You said I should shrink the C: down to 100. I got confused. I assume I can always expand the partition if I have unallocated space after moving the clone.

ignatzatsonic · May 15, 2012

bobka said:
You said I should shrink the C: down to 100. I got confused. I assume I can always expand the partition if I have unallocated space after moving the clone.

Yes, you can.

The shrink needs to be to a number equal to or less than the SSD. 100 is OK. 60 is OK. 115 is OK.

Try to shrink with Windows Disk Management. It may bitch and say you can't shrink below 150 or 200 GB.

If that happens you go to plan B: use Partition Wizard bootable disk to do the shrink. It is more flexible and won't bitch.

bobka · May 15, 2012

Ok, will do.

How do I move Windows 7 to another drive

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