# Moving OS from one drive to another. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 21, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-os-from-one-drive-to-another/671823 "2013-10-21T15:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-os-from-one-drive-to-another/671823/1 "2013-10-21T15:00:38Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Consensus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@Consensus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Consensus)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-os-from-one-drive-to-another/671823/2 "2013-10-21T15:53:22Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-os-from-one-drive-to-another/671823/3 "2013-10-21T16:26:52Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-os-from-one-drive-to-another/671823/4 "2013-10-21T16:28:38Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-os-from-one-drive-to-another/671823/5 "2013-10-21T17:37:56Z")
It’s too small for the OS. I already have a separate hard drive for media storage and programs. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-os-from-one-drive-to-another/671823/6 "2013-10-21T19:38:55Z")
I’ve used HDClone for years. Works for me. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-os-from-one-drive-to-another/671823/7 "2013-10-21T21:18:36Z")
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.](http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm) 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. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-os-from-one-drive-to-another/671823/8 "2013-10-22T14:51:59Z")
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.