upgrading SSD: need to migrate/clone one SSD to larger SSD.

[211]

I have a HTPC with a 30gb Kingston SSD.
I'm upgrading this drive with a 120GB Kingston SSD.

My question is, is there anything special I need to do? I'm just planning on cracking the case, plugging the larger SSD into one of the available SATA ports on the mobo, supply power to the drive and boot into Windows... So far so good?

Software: can I use the Windows migration wizard or should I use 3rd party software (free). Recommendations?

And lastly: once the drive is cloned, it's just a matter of unplugging the old one and swapping in the new one right? Windows will see this as C: drive... nothing fancy, simple-simon stuff?

Just making sure I'm covering the bases before I get hung up on something dumb.
This drive is JUST the Windows drive; I keep all my media on a seperate HDD. No documents, music, nothing. Just temp files, user app data and other windows files.

Thanks!

 

[whs]

Maybe you find the answers here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

If you want to make your job easy, use the Pargon Migration Tool (link is in the tutorial).

 

[Kaktussoft]

v5: How to clone a disk (Clone Disk, v5)
So use MACRIUM REFLECT FREE
Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

 

[cJakeSmith]

The built-in Windows backup isn't half bad. Just use that to create a full Hdd image, then create the required boot cd, boot to it and restore your image. Alternately you should be able to restore the image inside of windows but I'm not positive on that.

 

[LittleJay]

The free version of Aomei Partition Master has a "Migrate OS to SSD or HDD" feature that has worked very well for me.

 

[mjf]

My question is, is there anything special I need to do? I'm just planning on cracking the case, plugging the larger SSD into one of the available SATA ports on the mobo, supply power to the drive and boot into Windows... So far so good?

There are many ways to skin a cat. But all you need to do is image your current SSD with Windows inbuilt imaging to an ext HDD.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
Unplug your old SSD and plug in your new (by itself). Then do an image restore.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html
Then just check that NCQ and Trim are enabled. The SSD is aligned and defragmentation is disabled. It should all be fine but see here:
Windows 7 SSD Tweaking Guide
or the WHS tutorial mentioned above.
Finally because you have a larger SSD you may need to recover unallocted space. This tool is very good:
Best Free Partition Manager Freeware and free partition magic for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition.