Installing OS on new SSD drive

[Jon_Kingsbury]

Hi,

I get the practical bit to install a new SSD - but how do I transfer across the OS etc? 

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@Jon_Kingsbury 

You can't actually transfer the OS alone, as it is too complicated and involves too many hidden directories and files.  But what you CAN do is "clone" the drive, which means making an exact copy of it -- and that migrates the OS along with all the other files and folders.

What I recommend is the following:
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:

Good Luck

[Jon_Kingsbury]

Thanks - did as you said and all good - thanks!!