Cloning C drive, convert to a Dynamic Disk & then merge, changing the computer's default safe

[casm54]

The internal C drive (disk 1 - basic - 256 GB ) is the M.2 SSD - Or Intel Optane Module. ,  However the internal  D drive  is a 2 Terabyte, 7200 rpm SATA drive.   I got into trouble because I did not look into the architecture of my machine before I started to use it.  - I unwittingly thought I had  a two terabyte machine.  Hence the the C drive filled up rapidly -  and I must push things around as best as I can, so that I can relieve the "red-line" memory shortage on the tiny C drive.  

- I like the option to automatically store on a different drive - It will work for the future, and I will do it. However,  I was hoping that I could figure out a different path.  -  the  shrink and extend function is out -  the C and D  are different drives, unallocated space needs to be on the C - drive 0 - hence I am convinced it wont work.

- Change both drives to dynamic disks and merge  - might work - but the two drives are different technology,  so I am not sure this would be successful -  also even if it did work - it might play havoc with the c drive and corrupt some of the expensive programs I have on it -  Yes, I can reload them - but they are huge - and getting the license files satisfied is an absolute pain. 

As I use this computer to make a living -  I am reticent to run a test , just to find out what will happen.

- I like the concept of mirroring, or cloning the C drive, if this can be done with an M.2   SSD  or Intel OPTANE module. If this could be done it would be AWESOME!   Can this be done?  Is there such a thing as a 500 GB or terabyte SSD that can be installed in the HP Omen Oblisk?  How do you clone a SSD drive?  

. - For now,  I am very busy moving things off the C drive. -  I will behave much better in the future, now that I understand this machines limitations. 

Thank you for your support and great suggestions.

Best Regards 

Casm54

[WAWood]

@casm54 

I would advise AGAINST converting to Dynamic Disks -- as that will lead to all kinds of problems down the road and we will be unable to provide any support to you after that.

As to cloning, I presume to a larger SSD, read the information below ...

1) Download and install Macrium Reflect (MR) from here: https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree
2) Connect the new drive to the PC using a USB-to-SSD drive adapter (like the one illustrated below)
3) Follow the instructions in this link: http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Cloning+a+disk
4) Shutdown the PC when done
5) Swap the drives and reboot the PC.

NOTE: To do this easily, the SDD has to be the same capacity as the HDD.  IF you get an SDD that is a lot smaller, then before you do the cloning, you have to shrink the largest partition on the HDD (usually the OS partition), to the size such that it, and the other partitions, fit easily on the SSD.

You should boot from the new drive without any problems.

Typical USB-to-SSD adapter:

There are two types of m.2 SSDs -- SATA and NVME -- and they have similar connectors but different slots.  So, you will need to see which type you have before you buy a large capacity model.

But ... the presence of Optane complicates matters enormously -- and I am not able to provide any assistance with that.