Swapping drives and operating systems: Probably around Black Friday or so, I plan to upgrade my laptop from it's hhd to an equal size ssd. The main problem I can think of is to...

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Probably around Black Friday or so, I plan to upgrade my laptop from it's hhd to an equal size ssd. The main problem I can think of is to properly transfer the operating system.

What suggestions does anyone have that is easy enough for me to do?

chevman Loc: Matthews, North Carolina

GENorkus wrote:

Probably around Black Friday or so, I plan to upgrade my laptop from it's hhd to an equal size ssd. The main problem I can think of is to properly transfer the operating system.

What suggestions does anyone have that is easy enough for me to do?

This is the one I have used several times for both PC and Mac laptops. They supply clone software and it works very well. Check them out here. https://www.crucial.com/

repleo Loc: Boston

GENorkus wrote:

Probably around Black Friday or so, I plan to upgrade my laptop from it's hhd to an equal size ssd. The main problem I can think of is to properly transfer the operating system.

What suggestions does anyone have that is easy enough for me to do?

In addition to the cloning software you will need a connection lead from the computer to the SSD drive. They are not expensive but you may as well order it at the same time as the SDD.

Alternatively, buy the SDD drive where ever you get the best deal and bring it to Best Buy's Geek Squad. For $200 they will clone and install the drive, clean it up and give you anti-virus coverage. The annual fee covers the labor for repairs, upgrades, etc for all electronic devices in your home and significant discounts on in-home appliances. I had them do a full OS reload on a laptop that had been completely bricked by a virus along with cloning and installing an SDD drive on my 'good' laptop.

pendennis

I've done the same swap with both my laptop and my desktop.

I bought Samsung 860 QVO 2TB drives. I also bought a SATA cable with the drives (Best Buy). Plugged in the SATA cable through a USB connection, and allowed Samsung software to do the data transfer. It transfers your current OS and all applications and data to the new SSD. Disconnect when finished. Open the computer, and swap out the drives. This took less than an hour for each device.

When you start up the computer, it runs like a striped-a$$ ape.

I took the older drives, reformatted them, and encased them in housings for external drives. I only did this after about 30 days.

I also have everything backed up to I Drive daily. I've never had a hiccup in over 18 months of use.

Are SSD's a panacea? No, but neither are spin-up drives.

therwol Loc: USA

GENorkus wrote:

Probably around Black Friday or so, I plan to upgrade my laptop from it's hhd to an equal size ssd. The main problem I can think of is to properly transfer the operating system.

What suggestions does anyone have that is easy enough for me to do?

Easy as pie. I've done it a half dozen times. Some SSDs do come with cloning software, but you will need a cable like this one to do the cloning before you open your machine and swap the drives.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-SATA-USB-Cable-USB3S2SAT3CB/dp/B00HJZJI84

One machine made me format the SSD first.

The free version of Macrium Reflect can clone drives.

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

It's as simple as clone and swap.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

From the Microsoft web site download the operating system on to a USB drive, this needs to be at least 16gb.
Install your new SSD into the PC, insert the USB and the OS will be detected and installed, just follow the instructions and this should take an hour or so.

Here is the link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

GENorkus wrote:

Probably around Black Friday or so, I plan to upgrade my laptop from it's hhd to an equal size ssd. The main problem I can think of is to properly transfer the operating system.

What suggestions does anyone have that is easy enough for me to do?

I just did it to two, a desk top and a laptop, both Raid 0 (2 drives in each) (I use my OS drives for system and program files only) All data is on Drobo External drives. I did it with the intent of having new SSD's drives, knowing I had to re-install all my programs. I.E. Clean install of Win 10 from Win 7. Before anything, backup everything that may be on OS drives, even the Registry should something go wrong.
Before shutting sown, change boot order in Bios so it will boot to CD/DVD drive that will contain the OS disk. Shut down, swap disks...turn on and follow prompts. Yes it's that easy.

LenCreate

I also recommend the free version of Macrium. I used it to switch the hard drives on both my desktop and my wife’s laptop to SSDs. Both were old computers and now they boot and load programs quickly. MUCH CHEAPER than buying new computers. Macrium is easy to use. Make sure that the SSD has at least as much capacity as your hard drive. Yes, you’ll need the cable to attach the SSD to your compurt’s USB port.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

A few years ago I bought a new Dell desktop. I clone my main drives to a dedicated external drive. I wanted to put in a new SSD. The only problem I had was that my Windows 10 Pro wouldn’t register. I called Microsoft support and that problem was resolved.

therwol Loc: USA

johneccles wrote:

From the Microsoft web site download the operating system on to a USB drive, this needs to be at least 16gb.
Install your new SSD into the PC, insert the USB and the OS will be detected and installed, just follow the instructions and this should take an hour or so.

Here is the link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

If the OP is not having any trouble with the computer, it's easier to just clone everything over to new SSD. If you do a clean install of Windows on the new drive, you then have to reinstall all of your software and move important files back to the computer, assuming they were backed up to something or the OP knows how to extract them from the old drive.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

GENorkus wrote:

Probably around Black Friday or so, I plan to upgrade my laptop from it's hhd to an equal size ssd. The main problem I can think of is to properly transfer the operating system.

What suggestions does anyone have that is easy enough for me to do?

Now is a great time to do the swap - Amazon has Adata drives for as little as $25 for 250mb, $50 for 500mb and $90 for 960 GB.

I agree with cloning rather than clean install on the new drive. Its amazing how many required drivers can be unavailable for download. Cloning can get you to the exact environment you are currently running - without endless hours searching for the driver that you found 2 years ago ...

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

PGHphoto wrote:

Now is a great time to do the swap - Amazon has Adata drives for as little as $25 for 250mb, $50 for 500mb and $90 for 960 GB.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

repleo wrote:

In addition to the cloning software you will need ... (show quote)

Or use an external HDD/SSD docking bay like Black X Docking Station

limeybiker

Or use an external HDD/SSD docking bay like Black X Docking Station, agree 100% I use one regularly to back up my hard drives, we have 10 computers in our home between us, I use a Dell XPS to run the Windows 10 evaluation Beta and I swap out my regular hard drive with it on a monthly routine, I use Acronis 2014 it takes approx. 30 mins.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

GENorkus wrote:

Probably around Black Friday or so, I plan to upgrade my laptop from it's hhd to an equal size ssd. The main problem I can think of is to properly transfer the operating system.

What suggestions does anyone have that is easy enough for me to do?

If you backup your OS drive using Acronis (or other software), you may recover that file onto you new SSD. It's pretty easy, but does require some knowhow. I've successfully done that numerous times. I've used Acronis for 15+ years. It's excellent software. You may have to purchase a USB/Sata component to do that.
Feel free to PM me.
Mark