This can’t be that hard of a problem but I haven’t done it since using Norton Ghost floppy discs.
I have a 60 GB SSD that’s turned out to be too small for Windows 7, so I need a new larger drive. How do I move the intact OS and all the system files to a new different SSD. Do I want to “clone” or “image” the drive, or what, and what’s the best software to use nowadays.
You need an image, there are various programs for it. Don’t know of any recent ones, used daemon tools for a while. Don’t know if you can also make an image with it.
If you have win7 you can also make a system backup on a seperate drive, replace the SSD and restore it to the new one.
Is it too small for the OS and programs, or just too small for the OS, programs and your data files (music, image, video, etc.) that you’ve created/loaded onto your hard drive?
I think it’s pretty chancy trying to copy/image an OS. If there’s a slot for it, have you considered adding a 2nd large capacity HD where you can move your data files from your C drive? Heck, you could also run programs from a D drive too.
You can do it via an image, but ISTR that there’s some kind of finagling within Windows that’s necessary to get it all to work right.
It’s too small for the OS. I already have a separate hard drive for media storage and programs.
I’ve used HDClone for years. Works for me.
It’s certainly possible, I’ve done it a couple of times in various directions - including the same thing you’re asking about.
I’ve used Easeus ToDo Backup Free each time. It works, it’s pretty easy, and it is free. Oh, and no finagling necessary - clone the old drive to the new one, take out the old one, put in the new one, and done.
computer tech checking in,
cloning a hard drive is a very simple straightforward thing to do it should not require any tinkering with decent software. I like acronis true image myself.