Solved transfer the OS from HDD to new SSD

bigje99

New Member
Messages
15
hi i bought an asus refurbished laptop and it came with a 1TO HDD. then i bought a 256GO SDD online, the laptop has a slot for it. i'd like a simple solution to install/transfer the OS (windows8.1) on the SSD and not have it on the HDD. i can't simply put the SSD on the HDD slot before booting it for the first time im guessing ?

this was the solution i had from another thread:

First, get Magical Jellybean Keyfinder. Note down your Windows CD key (do this before you replace the hard drive). Create a Windows USB installer by following this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only Click install Windows 8.1 and launch the setup file. Enter your product key that you noted down and select to install with USB media. Insert your USB drive. Then replace the hard drive with the SSD, and boot from the Windows 8.1 install USB you just created.

is this the best solution ? if yes i tried it and it said this product key cannot be used to install a retail version of windows 8.1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
If your ssd comes with migration software like Samsungs EVO or PRO do just use that, or download Macrium Reflect Free from their site then you don't have to worry about your product key which is embedded in all windows 8.xxx oem computers. Migration just transfers the data and target disk can be smaller, but to clone: target disk must be same size or larger. When your done you must plug your ssd in where your hdd was(data plug connecter Disk 0 this is the boot drive) and then the hdd where your ssd was(data plug connecter Disk 1) then you can use this as a data disk after reformatting it. VERY IMPORTANT: Before migrating or cloning MAKE A RECOVERY USB!!! Or you'll be screwed later if anything happens.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Excellent guidance Cliff ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro x64 Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 9926
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway GT5404
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 @ 2.66 GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel D945GCL
    Memory
    4GB PC2 6400 @ 800 MHz CL 6-6-6-18
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX660 TF3 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway FPD1975W
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO 120GB SSD / WD 500GB
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    OEM
    Cooling
    OEM
    Keyboard
    Gateway KB-0401
    Mouse
    Gateway MOAKUO
    Internet Speed
    Verizon Quantum Gateway 60 / 60
    Browser
    Chrome / IE11
    Antivirus
    MSE / Defender / MBAM
since you already got good advice from cliff, for which I agree..

I will note in your post the solution you found would be for re-installing of windows.. Which is not what your really seeking to do here or asking here..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
since you already got good advice from cliff, for which I agree..

I will note in your post the solution you found would be for re-installing of windows.. Which is not what your really seeking to do here or asking here..
It's just that I find reinstalling the biggest pain in the backside there can be, what with downloading all the windows updates after, especially windows 8.1 where you can't down load all at once and let them install(like with windows 7), no, you must download and install in stages. For free migration and backup software try AOMEI. One more note make sure AHCI in bios/uefi is turned ON after you change out your disks(keep the HDD unplugged until you're sure that the SSD boots) then you have to at least destroy(reformat) the C: drive on the HDD after migration is complete. I left the recovery, EFI and OEM recovery partitions intact being they don't have a drive letter windows will ignore them, but are still there just in case and if you sell your computer later just destroy the data partitions and can do a factory install for the new owner(on my system they only take up about 26GB from a 2 TB drive.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE:.
finished the recovery... AMOEI don't work for the migration because they say my OS is on a GPT disk and i'd have to buy their professional version. should I go ahead and do that ?

I did not know this before because I used it for Windows 7 on a friends computer and that's MBR
:(. One of the reasons I bought Samsung Pro is that it comes with all you need and they're fast. My sequential read 6000 MB/s, sequential write 5670 MB/s, random read 160475 IOPS, random write 111943 IOPS.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Dude, Just check out the AOMEI link you posted - that is a must have for me... a Lot of GREAT features... Since I do a lot through WinPE, But they use version 4.0 I use 5.1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
i cloned it. then switched the HDD and SSD in each other slots. it works when i open the computer but it seems my HDD is still the ''main system''. on the computer page, there is a windows sign on the HDD, as in this is windows (i guess). and when i want to do a backup, they tell me the location of WIndows 8.1 is in C:/, which is my HDD. The SSD has the system on it tho. so if i format my HDD now.. well i shouldnt do that i think, correct?

i didnt use macrium reflect tho, i used this one Migrate Windows 8.1 to SSD, move Windows 8.1 from HDD to SSD

will it work with your macrium/solution? well idk that it will be cause you say the recipient must be same size or larger. my SSD is 256GO and the HDD is 1000GO. altho we can 'split' the HDD space (for exemple my C:/ has 350GO or so for the moment).

and what do you mean make a recovery usb.. simply put a system backup in it.. or make a iso booting usb ? because i cant do the latter because i cant get a CD or a ISO image i think, i talked about that in my first post. the windows website tells me the product is not retail anymore
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
not very lazy (For this stuff anyway) but tried a couple of things for the last days (couple of hours) each day and it didnt work so obvsly im not very ''good''. is paragon that simple ? (meaning: do i only need to format my SSD, then do the migrating and thats it? no need it to switch the two drivers in each other slots or restart the computer to do wetever on the BIOS or do i have do backup something into a USB etc) if yes well lets go i guess.. while i wait for your response, gonna go look at your first link ! thx man
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
its only 20$ so maybe just give me a quick explanation for paragon.. because for exemple the first link says you need to change the boot sequence
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
No matter what drive you boot - SSD or HDD the drive letter for windows is going to be "C"

you need to go by Disk ID:

Post a picture of your Disk management -> You will find two disks - Disk 0 and Disk 1

by default your system should boot to disk 0 which is now your SSD - since you switched them.. But does not mean it will.. Since you have another bootable drive attached..

For now create a "New Folder" on your desktop.. shut down pc and remove your HDD.. reboot your computer.. If that folder is still on your desktop then we know the system booted the SSD

Once we know what disk is getting the windows version assigned "C" we can clean and format the other disk

since you cloned the contents from one drive to another both will look the same when booted except for - disk id

thus the "New Folder" to make them look differant
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
disk 0 is the HDD i just checked. it does say OS in the name of the SSD : OS (J:) (i gave it the letter J)

i did switched the SSD and the HDD, i also tried it in their 'right' slots. and when i boot with only the SSD, it goes to the BIOS and there is nothing i cant do, i think. whs gave a solution and i read but its more than i could handle, i can do whitout step by step instructions (altho id prefer not to) but some website/forums's explanations are just too complicated.

i used EaseUS backup.. maybe it sucks idk ? maybe i cloned it badly altho i cant see why/how

im willing to pay the 20$ for paragon, maybe just give me some guideline for how to ?

anyway thx guy sorry im retarded
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
i mean the SSD works obvsly perfectly fine when the HDD is on so... when it doesnt work at all while the HDD is not on, im guessing i cloned the OS the wrong way maybe..

in disk management it says healthy (primary partition) under the SSD (and OS in the title)

it says Healthy (boot, page file, crash dump, primary partition) under the HDD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
Boot from the ssd with both drives connected and...

Post the shot of disk management please ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro x64 Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 9926
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway GT5404
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 @ 2.66 GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel D945GCL
    Memory
    4GB PC2 6400 @ 800 MHz CL 6-6-6-18
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX660 TF3 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway FPD1975W
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO 120GB SSD / WD 500GB
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    OEM
    Cooling
    OEM
    Keyboard
    Gateway KB-0401
    Mouse
    Gateway MOAKUO
    Internet Speed
    Verizon Quantum Gateway 60 / 60
    Browser
    Chrome / IE11
    Antivirus
    MSE / Defender / MBAM
yes the SSD did not take the clone.. as the SSD is not bootable.. Do you have windows setup media?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
screeen compu.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
You can't clone the HDD to SSD because of it's size. you have to migrate the data over

refer to post #5 and download that tool


And since you are booting the HDD did your make a recovery usb?

Control Panel -> recovery -> create a recovery drive

if you have not done so - Stop everything until you do....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
That is not a shot from the ssd.

If you were booted into the ssd, it`s letter would be C.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro x64 Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 9926
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway GT5404
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 @ 2.66 GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel D945GCL
    Memory
    4GB PC2 6400 @ 800 MHz CL 6-6-6-18
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX660 TF3 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway FPD1975W
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO 120GB SSD / WD 500GB
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    OEM
    Cooling
    OEM
    Keyboard
    Gateway KB-0401
    Mouse
    Gateway MOAKUO
    Internet Speed
    Verizon Quantum Gateway 60 / 60
    Browser
    Chrome / IE11
    Antivirus
    MSE / Defender / MBAM
ah I though you asked for disk management. the ssd is disk 1. ok i'll go try migrate instead of cloning
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
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