Transfer OS & Programs to new SSHD

[Sundog]

Soon I will be installing a 4 GB combination solid state and rotating disc hard drive (SSHD). I would like to take advantage of the SSHD's faster working (so I'm told).

My thought is to have my OS and programs on the SSHD, along with a few documents that I often use. My existing HD would have pictures, videos, and the remainder of My Documents.

What's a reasonable way to accomplish this? How can I best move my OS and programs to the SSHD, then delete them from the HD?

[IMNetUser]

I have not used SSHD - yet.

For years I have used EaseUS Todo Backup

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If the SSHD is equal or bigger than your current hard drive, use disk clone function. Otherwise you will need to perform Pasrtition clone.

Software is easy to use and works well. Besides, it is

HTH

[IMNetUser]

I have not used SSHD - yet.

I should qualify this statement.

I have not used a solid state drive as a boot drive. I have backed up hard drives to SSD's for other people using the EaseUS Todo Backup .

I have also backed up data hard drives to SSD's with no problems. I usually use a All In One Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Docking Caddy. This allows me to plug in a SSD and access to host computer via USB Port.

Make sure your computer will recognize the SSD as a boot-able hard drive (should be a bios stetting).

After you have cloned the SSD, remove the HDD from the system and re-boot with the SSD to ensure everything is working well. Then you can format the HDD or keep it as a backup spare.

HTH.

[Sundog]

Scott, thank you for your insight and practical experience. I will post back in a week or two after I've done the deed.

[DaveA]

Soon I will be installing a 4 GB combination solid state and rotating disc hard drive (SSHD). I would like to take advantage of the SSHD's faster working (so I'm told).

I sure HOPE that you do not expect this 4 GB drive to be able to even have the OS on it. You are going to need to something much bigger!

[Sundog]

Ah so. Minor typo: 4 GB should read 4 TB. Only off by a few zeros.

[DaveA]

That is so much larger.

[IMNetUser]

Ah so. Minor typo: 4 GB should read 4 TB. Only off by a few zeros.

What is a zero between friends - means nothing !!!

[Sundog]

Scott, finally getting around to installing 2nd hard drive (SSHD. 4TB). Steps numbered for ease of reference.

When I look at my existing drive (HDD, 1TB) under Disk Management, it reports the following:
1. 39 MB, Healthy (OEM Partition);
2. Recovery, 24.67 GB NTFS, Healthy (System, Active, Primary Partition);
3. OC (C:), 906.81 GB NTFS, Healthy (Boot, Page File, Crash Dump, Primary Partition).

What I'm trying to do, end result:
4. Boot faster from new SSHD into Windows 7 Pro.
5. Run programs faster from new SSHD.
6. Store big/seldom-used files on HDD.

My plan:
7. Duplicate (clone?) HDD onto SSHD; OS, Programs, Data, everything;
8. Make SSHD bootable;
9. Verify that I can boot from SSHD;
10. Format HDD to empty it, so I can store pictures, videos, graphic files, seldom-used documents, and the like on it;
11. Move a whole lot of folders containing files like those above, from SSHD to the empty HDD.

I've downloaded EaseUS but its instructions leave me confused.
12. In particular, for step 7, should SSHD have the same partitions as HDD? Will this happen automatically?
13. For step 9, if I power down, unplug the HDD data plug, and power back up, that should tell me that I'm successfully booting from SSDD, correct?
14. For step 10, if I power down, re-plug the HDD data plug, and power back up, can I select HDD to format, from Disk Management? --Even though I booted from HDD?

I greatly appreciate your taking time to answer/advise.

(Edited to correct reference numbers.)

[PJ_in_FL]

Relocating personal files stored in the folders under the C:\Users\{username}\ folder (My Documents, My Pictures, etc.), can be simple if you let the OS handle the relocation for you. Once you have the new SSHD (4 TB SSHD!!! I'm so JEALOUS!) up and running, then use the built-in Move function in the Location tab in the folder's Properties dialog.

To access this option, right click on the folder to move, select the Location tab and enter the new location for the files in this folder. The OS will move the files and handle converting links in the registry to the new location. Some links maintained by individual programs outside of the registry may not change, but that simplified moving My Documents on this laptop running Win 7 Home Premium from the C:\ to the D:\ drive.

YMMV

[Rudi]

To add to PJ's advice, see the step to step guides to transfer data (files) here...

1. Windows Easy Transfer
2. How to Transfer Files from One Computer to Another Computer with Windows Easy Transfer

[Sundog]

PJ and Rudi, thanks for your suggestions!

Any thoughts about my #12, 13, & 14 above?

[PJ_in_FL]

#12 - Uh, no. The small partitions are probably static data and can be put onto slow (i.e. rotating) media, like that big HDD.
#13, #14 - can't say. Please do report back on your experience though.

Rudi - Thanks for the pointer to the migration tools! I forgot about those and will need them myself soon.

[Sundog]

Current status:
1. Installed Macrium Reflect Free.
2. Created Rescue DVD.
3. Installed the new SSHD.
4. Duplicated/cloned the entire HDD onto the new SSHD.
5. Booted the computer (from one or the other of the drives, since they both have Windows).

Next steps:
6. Unplug HDD and see if I can still boot from the SSHD.
7. If so, replug HDD and format it.
8. Change boot order.
9. Move old/large files from SSHD My Documents to new folder on HDD.
10. I'm uneasy about using Windows Easy Transfer, as I've read about some user problems with it. So I reckon I'll drag and drop any files I want kept on the old HDD.

Edited to add "Change boot order."

[Rudi]

Whichever path you take, I wish you success...