How to migrate Windows 10 to a new hard drive

You’ve only just Your PC can be upgraded If you are looking to transfer Windows 10 from an old hard drive to Windows 10, then it is worth considering your options. Although this is an intimidating task for beginners, it does not have to be difficult. You just need to plan how to get your files moved from one place to another and make Windows boot from the new drive.

You have a couple of options. There are many ways you could do this Create a brand new image system It is possible to move from one drive to the next of equal size. Alternativly, consider cloning your hard drive You can copy your whole installation even though your drives may be different in size. These are the steps you need to get started.

Before You Move Windows 10 to a New Hard Drive

You should think carefully before you decide to transfer Windows 10 from your computer to another hard drive backing up your essential files, This applies to any system image that you may create. 

This process should not have any impact on the files or your primary drive. However, it can cause data loss if there is an accidental overwrite to your drive. For your data to be safe, make sure you have an independent backup using portable media such as a USB flash drive online cloud storage .

You’ll now have two options after you have back up all your critical files. The method to move Windows 10 onto a new drive will depend on whether or not you want to use an existing drive equivalent or larger size If the drive is not available, smaller, You should not assume that the entire process is identical.

As long as the drive is not too large, it doesn’t really matter what type of drive you are moving to. To clone your drive from a larger drive or one of its equivalents, create a system snapshot using Windows’ built-in imaging tools.

You won’t have the option to move to a smaller drive than your original. Windows will display an error message during the reimaging process. You will need to move Windows 10 to another hard drive with third-party software that allows you to successfully copy files to the smaller drive.

Create a New System Image to Migrate Windows to Drives of Equivalent or Larger Size

Windows’s system imaging tool is the best option if you need to transfer Windows 10 from an older hard drive. This allows you to transfer your existing drive directly to the new drive.

Important to note that the method will only work if the drive you are using is equivalent in size. To use the third-party software instead, if your drive is smaller than this one, follow these steps.

1. You will first need to create an image of your Windows system. Click the Start Menu and click the Create a new system image option Settings option.

2. In the Settings Choose from the following menus Update & Security >> Backup. In the Backup Choose the option from the menu Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7) alternative, which is listed under Looking for an older backup? category.

3. For the elderly Control Panel Window, choose the Create a system image The left-hand menu will display the option. If you don’t plan to use a network location for your system images (such, an external USB drive), make sure that an external drive is connected at this stage network attached storage device).

4. A new Create a system image The menu will automatically open, and it will start scanning the network for an external drive or location that can store the system images. You can also select the option to use a portable hard disk On a hard disk drop-down menu. Select the option if you are using network storage On a network location Select the appropriate option and then choose a location in your network where to store this file. Click Next to continue.

5. Windows will validate the partitions that are located on the drive, and copy these to the system image. Please select Start backup Start her.

6. The system image creation should be completed. Windows will prompt you for permission to create another system repair disk once the image creation process has been completed. If you are able to, it may be worthwhile to perform this task Your MBR and GPT boot files could be corrupted You can choose either. But you have the option to choose one Yes or No Continue readin.

Once you have created the system image, it is now ready for use on your new drive. Connect your new drive to the computer and then remove your existing hard drive. Your existing hard drive can also be left in place format it, It can be used as secondary storage or a repurposed drive.

Use a System Image to Move Windows to a New Hard Drive

Once you have a system image for your drive, the image can be used to make a copy of Windows on your new drive. This can only be done if your new hard drive is equal or greater in size than the old system drive.

1. To begin, Insert your Windows installation media You can use a USB flash drive or DVD as a portable memory stick. Boot your computer once the USB memory stick or DVD has been inserted. Make sure your BIOS and UEFI preferences prioritize this drive above all others. After the Windows installation menu opens, click on “Select” Next, Repair your computer In the lower left corner.

2. In the Advanced Options Choose from the following menus Troubleshoot >> System Image Recovery.

3. Windows will automatically recognize the image of your system on an external hard drive Re-image your computer menu. Select the alternative if it does not Select a system image It can be manually located by using the search option. You can also leave it Use the latest available system image (recommended) Choose the desired option, then click “Select” Next to continue.

4. The new system image will format your hard drive with the same partitions and settings as the original drive. You can select any partitions you wish to delete first Exclude disks You can uncheck these. If they are not checked, you can select Next to continue.

5. Select Finish >> Yes You will need to start the disk imaging process. This may take some time. When the disk imaging process is complete, choose your preferred option Restart Now To boot your computer. This will allow you to remove your Windows installation disk or drive. You may also have to modify your BIOS/UEFI settings in order to make sure that the new disk is chosen as your first boot disk.

Once you have copied the files to a drive that is identical in size, there are no additional steps required. Windows will continue to boot normal and you can then resume your use of your computer. However, if your drive has been cloned to a larger size drive you might need to perform additional steps in order to make the most of this extra space.

Resize the System Partition After Using a System Image

The system image copies your drive completely and recreates all partitions from the drive. You will have to resize (C:), the system partition that you used to move Windows from a smaller hard drive to make use of all the space available on the new drive.

1. This is done by booting Windows onto your new drive. Select the option “Start menu” by right-clicking it Disk Management option.

2. In the Disk Management Menu, Right-click on your system partition (C.) and choose Extend Volume. 

3. In the Extend Volume Wizard Choose from the following menus Next, Maximum available space in MB Box) are selected in Select the amount of space in MB box. Choose Next to continue.

4. Verify that all details have been verified, and then click “Select” Finish Complete the entire process.

Within a few seconds your system partition will be extended to take up the extra space available on your drive. This ensures that you have all of your drive storage space.

Transfer Windows 10 to a Different Sized Hard Drive Using Third-Party Software

To migrate Windows 10 from an older hard drive to Windows 10, you can use a different system image. This process won’t work for you if your drive is larger than the one you have now. You will need third-party software instead to copy Windows.

There are many tools available for this purpose, however one option that is good and free to use is the One-Step Method Macrium Reflect Free. . Macrium Reflect, which is available for free, allows you to create a clone of your Windows installation on a larger drive. It also resizes the partition tables. This can also be used to clone Windows onto a larger driver, if desired.

Be sure to connect both the old and new drives to your computer before you begin these steps.

1. To begin, Then download the software and install it Home Use version Macrium Reflect available free of charge from Macrium Reflect’s website. Run the application once it is installed. Make sure the C: checkbox is checked next to the partition containing the system partition. After selecting the box, click on “Next” Clone this disk Below is an option.

2. In the Clone Choose the following menu items to choose your (smaller) new drive Select a disk to clone to The option is available in Destination section.

3. After selecting the disk you want to use, remove any partitions that are not needed by making a selection in the “My Computer” section Destination Select the category and then choose the Delete Existing partition Option to delete the.

4. After you have removed any partitions from your old drive, drag and dropped each partition (sans the system C: partition) Source Kategorie to the Destination category. Leave your system partition (C) as it is, and drag that partition onto this Destination category.

5. If your drive is larger than your original, Macrium Reflect will automatically adjust the size of your system partition. You can change the C: partition size or resize your drive to make it larger Destination Select the first category, and then choose the second Cloned Partition Properties option.

6. In the Partition Properties Use the menu to resize your partition Partition Size box. Make sure the drive is at least 2 TB Free Space Box reaches 0 MB You want to make sure you are making the most of your space. Choose OK Please confirm your change.

7. Select Finish Check to confirm that you are able to clone.

8. You can leave the choices intact Backup Save Options Select the menu next to it OK to confirm.

9. Macrium requires permission before it can delete partitions or begin the cloning procedure. Click the checkbox to select the appropriate option Confirm Overwrite Select menu and then choose Continue Proceed. You should allow some time for the Cloning Process to conclude.  

Your existing hard drive, which contains Windows and other files, will be copied over to your new drive once the task is completed. Disk Management allows you to either shut down your computer and delete your old hard drive, or format it and reuse it.

Final Steps

You can use a Windows 10 image or third-party software such as Macrium Reflect to copy the drive. Once you are done, your system will be bootable and you can start using it. If your drive is larger than the one you have, then you may need to adjust the size of the system partition.

You might want to think about these things if you run into trouble reinstalling Windows 10 You can start over without having to clone your entire drive. This can be done without losing any personal data, however you might need to Install your software again and Transfer your Windows 10 License In the course of this process.