How to clone SSD C drive and replace it, details in post

[PCJJ]

Hi, I want to replace the current c drive (128GB SSD) with a 1T SSD (a Samsung). Since there's only 1 M.2 slot for SSD, so I bought a USB adaptor to connect the Samsung within.

What format and setup do I need to do first? And the partition needs to be much bigger than it is on the 128GB SSD (way too small).

Is Samsung Magician better than DiskGenius? The one thing that I don't like about Magician is that any running file(s) don't get cloned. With DiskGenius you can select "hot migration" and them any running files are transferred.

After cloning then I would swap the bigger cloned ssd with the current smaller one. Do I then need to update the BIOS to make it the boot drive, or will it update to it anyway since it will be in the same slot? If I need to, what are the steps for this desktop?

Thank you!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I recommend you watch this video for how to use the free Samsung Magician software to clone a smaller drive to a larger one.

Cloning Your OS Drive Using Samsung Magician (youtube.com)

You shouldn't need to make any changes in the BIOS for the larger drive to automatically boot up after the cloning process is completed.

I wouldn't know which cloning software is 'better.' 

I have only used Macrium Reflect in the past to clone drives.

[PCJJ]

Hi, thank you! I will read up on the Samsung Magician, to see how to expand the partition on the new/cloned drive (as I have read it doesn't give you that option, it will only duplicate the small size of the original drive being cloned.

Also, I will need to erase what's on the new SSD first? Or, will it overwrite all?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The Samsung magician cloning software will do everything.

I just found the recent video where the person guides you through cloning a smaller drive to a larger one.

Looks too easy to be true.

From Small to Big: Cloning My NVMe SSD to a Larger Samsung Drive using Samsung Magician (youtube.com...