questions on cloning old SSD to new SSD

[bimfi]

I have an Intel 120gb SSD as my C:\ drive that I seem to have out grown. I now have around 13gb left on it and I can't figure out where all of this stuff came from! Anyway, I purchased a Kingston 240gb SSD that I want to use as my C:\ drive. Seeing as I have never cloned anything before, I am leery about the process. Supposedly this drive came with Acronis software. I am thinking about doing a backup first, just in case the clone does not work. I also want to reduce the amount of stuff already on the old SSD without removing any programs. All of my personal files (mp3, doc, xls, jpg etc.) are stored on other drives, so I'm not worried about them. What concerns me is the libraries associated with Win 7. I really don't want to sound ignorant, but are these folders (C:\user\XXX or C:\user\public) actually on my C:\ drive or does windows just make folders that link to my documents, pictures, video etc? This is what is confusing me. If they are actually on the C drive, is there a way to prevent them from doing so? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[essenbe]

As far as the cloning, a true clone will leave your current drive in tact, it will still be bootable and exactly the same as it is. A clone is essentially a copy. Macrium and Acronis both have a cloning function. The only issue is the SSD alignment which is different than a regular hard drive. Macrium and Acronis will normally work correctly. Paragon Migrate ($19.95) will do the job with no issues, it will transfer and align the SSD correctly. That's what it was made for. You may find this info useful http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

As for user files, Windows will by default place your user files in C:/Users/yourusername/ You can move those files to another hard drive easily by http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html or you can place them on another drive and right click them and select include in library and choose the folder in your library you want them in. C:/users/public is, by default kept on the C drive. They are normally the files you have chosen to share with other machines for example. Basically, the files under your user name are accessible only to your user account. Files you have chosen to share are in your user name and in Public.

 

[bimfi]

Thank you for the response and the info. Very helpful.

 

[essenbe]

You're more than welcome. If you have further questions, feel free to ask.