Cloning Windows 7 on SSD to a larger SSD help needed

[michaelhg]

Hi,

This is my first post, and I'm not very experienced with SSD's.

I see tutorials about alignment when cloning from an HDD to an SSD, but haven't found info about SSD to SSD cloning, so I'd appreciate some advice.

I originally did a fresh install of Windows 7 onto an SSD, which has now become too small. Using the Windows 7 utility today I created a system image onto an external standard hard drive. I'd like to restore the image onto my new, larger SSD. Is preparation such as alignment needed, or does going from one SSD to another take care of that? Anything else I need to know? I'm assuming I can resize the active partition using Disk Management afterwards.

Thanks for your help,
Michael

 

[gregrocker]

You can go ahead and unplug the source SSD, plug the new SSD in, Repair disk to reimage to the new SSD. System Image Recovery

After this completes unplug all other HD's to see if Win7 starts and if not boot the Win7 DVD or Repair CD to confirm the boot partition is marked Active and run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times.

If you have any problem there are other methods here: SSD - Install and transfer the Operating System

 

[karlsnooks]

michael,
Welcome to SevenForums.

Excellent so far.

Make a System Repair Disc.
You will need the System Repair Disc to "restore" the image to the larger SSD.

CREATE A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC

[FONT=&quot]START[/FONT][FONT=&quot] | type System Repair | Enter key | Create Disc button

[/FONT]

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Now physically remove the smaller SSD.

Connect your new SSD.

Connect your external USB drive with the image.

Boot up from the System Repair Disc


Choose the option to restore.

I've done this. Works smoothly.

You may need to revalidate your Win 7, but that's very easy.

No need to run system repair 3 times. Your system will take off running.


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[michaelhg]

gregrocker and karlsnooks,

I appreciate the information, and being welcomed here to the forums.

Can I assume that since the original SSD was aligned properly because of a fresh install, that that image restored to the new SSD will restore the proper alignment as well?

I'll post again once I install the new drive.

Thank you both,
Michael

 

[gregrocker]

I would not worry about the alignment unless there are problems:
SSD Alignment - Windows 7 Forums
SSD Tweaks and Optimizations in Windows 7

 

[karlsnooks]

Don't worry about aliignment.

Win correctly handles alignment.

Linux and its variants do not.

Win 7 is the smartest operating system and operating system installer that has ever existed.