Replacing the SDD when it has the OS on it

**WTFH** · 2 March 2022, 13:26

Originally posted by jamsandwich View Post

I suppose I'll need to open up the PC (a desktop) to see what physical size the existing SSD is, so that if I buy a new one it will fit the slot.

You'll need to open it up to install the new drive, but if you'd mentioned the make and model, I'm sure someone here (or google) would tell you the physical size

**WTFH** · 2 March 2022, 13:34

As for the "How", I did it years ago using Linux Feather, but here's a more up-to-date method:
https://www.techradar.com/how-to/com...-drive-1296831

Or use solution 1 here, if you just want to use the inherent method in Windows:
https://recoverit.wondershare.com/co...-transfer.html

Or here:
https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-10/...ew-hard-drive/

Or, if you're prepared to pay for it, I've used this brand in the past:
https://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/clo...ard-drive.html

**jamsandwich** · 2 March 2022, 13:50

Thanks WTFH

The existing SSD is (according to properties dialog in File Explorer):

sandisk sd6sb1m128g1022

There is another char at the end of that but I can't tell whether its a lower-case "L" or an upper case "i" or something else, so haven't typed it in the above string.

A quick search led me to believe that the SSD is 2.5 inch, which seems to be a common size.

My preferred options are either:

1) Do the transfer using only Windows 10 itself (I have a usb stick with Windows 10 install set on it, and presumably I'd need to make a disk image of the existing C: drive).

or

2) Use a cloning tool that is supplied with the SDD.

I don't want to trust any 3rd party tool. I'm a bit paranoid about security.

I was tending to think that option 2) might be easier, but I think I need to study the links you posted and get a better idea of exactly what is involved, particularly in the option 1) scenario.

**eek** · 2 March 2022, 14:04

You don't trust a 3rd party tool but are happy to use a third party tool provided with the SSD?

You aren't paranoid, you are stupid.

**WTFH** · 2 March 2022, 14:27

If you don't trust programs that others use to do the job, and you don't know how to do it yourself, then I'd suggest paying a professional to do it.
The 3rd party tools in the links I have provided are well known and recognised to do the job properly. I would trust them more than I would trust something developed my Microsoft.

I would also be concerned that if you don't know what you're doing, that to save money you'll buy the cheapest SSD you can find, or one that gets 5* reviews on eBay.

**jamsandwich** · 2 March 2022, 14:41

Originally posted by eek View Post

You don't trust a 3rd party tool but are happy to use a third party tool provided with the SSD?

You aren't paranoid, you are stupid.

Ha ha! Thanks.

My reasoning is....

I would expect the SSD manufacturer to have done adequate checks to ensure that any cloning tool that they supply with their hardware is safe to use. If they failed to do that then customers who bought their SSD might have problems; which could lead to reputational damage to their (the SSD manufacturer) business. I see the tool they supply as 2nd party rather than 3rd party. Or at least, it could be a 3rd party tool that has been vetted by the 2nd party. Also, unless it is a brand new tool then it has probably already been bought (with SSD) by other people, so that it had been put to the test before I got round to buying the SSD.

Seems like there is a clear incentive for the SSD manufacturer to ensure that the tool is safe. This gives me more confidence than I might have in some cloning tool that I might have downloaded from some random website that I've found on a quick search.

I would have to be careful which SSD I bought. It would most likely have to be a brand that I've already heard of and that has been around for at least a few years.

If I could do the transfer using only Windows itself than I'd prefer that, although I don't know if it is more hassle than using a cloning tool.

Of course, I could be wrong. There is always risk in any strategy. The above is just my current line of thought on what the safest option is for me. I posted on here to see if anyone had a better idea or might point out something I've not thought of.

**darmstadt** · 2 March 2022, 14:48

I upgraded my NVMe the other day from 1TB to 2TB, piece of piss. Download the free version of Macrium, make a backup copy of your hard drive to an external USB, swap out the drives, do the restore and Bob's yer uncle. There are plenty of good guides on the net on how to do this and I was quite happy on how successful it was (the last time I tried was with Windows XP and that went titsup halfway through). Mind you, Windows 11 is slow as **** now...

**WTFH** · 2 March 2022, 14:53

Originally posted by jamsandwich View Post

Ha ha! Thanks.

My reasoning is....

I would expect the SSD manufacturer to have done adequate checks to ensure that any cloning tool that they supply with their hardware is safe to use. If they failed to do that then customers who bought their SSD might have problems; which could lead to reputational damage to their (the SSD manufacturer) business. I see the tool they supply as 2nd party rather than 3rd party. Or at least, it could be a 3rd party tool that has been vetted by the 2nd party. Also, unless it is a brand new tool then it has probably already been bought (with SSD) by other people, so that it had been put to the test before I got round to buying the SSD.

Seems like there is a clear incentive for the SSD manufacturer to ensure that the tool is safe. This gives me more confidence than I might have in some cloning tool that I might have downloaded from some random website that I've found on a quick search.

I would have to be careful which SSD I bought. It would most likely have to be a brand that I've already heard of and that has been around for at least a few years.

If I could do the transfer using only Windows itself than I'd prefer that, although I don't know if it is more hassle than using a cloning tool.

Of course, I could be wrong. There is always risk in any strategy. The above is just my current line of thought on what the safest option is for me. I posted on here to see if anyone had a better idea or might point out something I've not thought of.

Who installed this drive in the first place?

As for trusting a drive manufacturer - they have no idea what operating system you are going to be using, now have they any incentive to keep their freeware up to date. You seem to think that spending £100 on a hard drive entitles you to £50 of free software that will be kept up to date to function with your old drive and any new OS forever. It doesn't work like that. That's why Macrium, EaseUS, etc, exist as businesses, and why professionals use them, not the freeware that came with the drive.

**hobnob** · 2 March 2022, 20:20

You could look at a hardware solution. Basically, you'd take the old SSD drive out of your PC, plug the old and new drives into the clone box (docking station), then press a button to sync them. They vary in price quite a bit: I saw one on Amazon for £25 (no idea of its quality) and others on Startech for £600. Personally, I wouldn't bother for a single transfer, but if you want to avoid 3rd party software then this might be the way to go.

Another option is to reinstall Windows on the new drive: use this as an opportunity to clear out any junk that's hanging around on the old drive.

Replacing the SDD when it has the OS on it