how hard is it to "Move" install to another hdd?

If you read just below the choice for "Manual" it explains it allows you to repartition and transfer only what you want at the same time.

However I haven't used Manual mode yet, so it would be good to hear back how well it works.

In this case, it might even allow OP to clone only his OS partition to the entire SSD or at least into first position as desired. Then I'd try a second cloning operation to move the data partition to space created on the separate HD using Manual mode or pre-shrunk using Disk Mgmt or Partition Wizard CD.

It is all covered in the WD free Acronis Manual downloaded here: WD Support

I have cloned using this app from a larger HD partition to a smaller wiped HD, shrinking the source partition to fit the target as it cloned. It explained it clearly in the cloning section of the Manual.

Here is a current thread by a member who used Acronis to clone his operating system from Drive A to Drive B. In his case, Drive B was not an SSD.

https://www.sevenforums.com/software/...g-acronis.html

He used the free Western Digital version of Acronis.

Note the choices he made in the process. His source drive had only 1 partition, but he mentions how he could have selected just the OS partition on a 2 partition system.

He chose to delete partitions on the target drive.


From a reading of various posts at the Acronis forum, it looks like the way to ensure proper alignment on an SSD is to first format it with Windows 7, not Acronis.

You can check the alignment on a partition this way:

Type msinfo32 in the start box and navigate to components > storage > disks. Locate the disk in question. Scroll down to "partition starting offset". It should be a number evenly divisible by 4096 and it should be 1,048, 576 bytes if formatted in Windows 7

I"m still searching, but it appears that if you want AHCI on the SSD, you should change to AHCI on the source drive before making the clone.

Apparently, alignment can be corrected after the fact with a Paragon tool and possibly others (Gparted?)

DirtyElf said:

wouldnt it be way easier to just install windows 7 fresh on the ssd and then plug the spinner back in?


what do i do with the windows partition on my old drive once i plug it back in?

will i be able to point my favorites and folders to the locations i made on that drive the same way as i did before?


what im not sure of is how to plug the old drive back in, will it still see that win7 partition as a bootable C: drive even though the new ssd will have a C: drive on it?

No one would ever even consider cloning or imaging if they thought it was just as easy to reinstall.

If you feel it's easier to reinstall, that's what you should do. I assumed you were interested in an alternative to a reinstall because of this thread's title.

If it wouldn't save you any time or effort, you'd be a fool to image or clone. What other motivation could there be?

You get back at your old drive by plugging it back in after you boot to the cloned drive and then you do whatever you want to do---delete its partitions or whatever.

If you clone a drive, your bookmarks and folders point to the same place they did previously. That's what a clone is.

The guy who actually did it says he could have cloned just one of his two partitions. I don't know if he is correct, but he's gone through the cloning process. I haven't.

If you don't have that much invested already in your existing install, then by all means give your new SSD a clean reinstall with other HD's unplugged. SSD Alignment

If you have data from User folders on the data HD, when you plug it back follow these steps to link your User folders to the other HD: User Folders - Change Default Location

The Win7 installer is nearly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates so you really only need the NIC driver on a stick or CD to get online to optional Updates. I would also immediately set up auto-loading drivers for hardware: Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware

After that any drivers missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

If you have Upgrade version and wipe the HD, skip inserting the key during install and do one of the workarounds given here for installing to a wiped HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

If you install to wiped HD, the installer will issue a 100mb System Reserved boot partition which conveniently places the Repair Console (normally only on the DVD or Repair CD) on the F8 Advanced Boot Tools menu. So I would choose Custom Install and then Drive Options to partition as you wish and format: Clean Install Windows 7

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly.
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Auslogics Disk Defrag - Reviews and free Auslogics Disk Defrag downloads at Download.com
Auslogics Registry Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Then save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup