Clone issue- any ideas

Mcthommo · 12 May 2017 at 09:22

I am needing to clone a HDD to a new SSD but the HDD has a large WindowsAPP folder with blue arrows top right corner- 221GB- that I cannot remove, delete or anything with it. Permissions look ok as far as I can see. The drive is in an external caddy and is from a different windows machine- I am cloning it which contains my Steam and Origin folders with a couple of other games that I cant reinstall due to lost disks etc so I need to clone it rather than copy the contents

Is there a way I can clone the other stuff without that folder as it is too large for the new SSD- I need to clone rather than copy as I need to keep the Windows links to the software on the drive

swain90 · 12 May 2017 at 11:12

Use something like a Ubuntu that can be used as a Live OS (meaning it runs from the USB/CD without installing) and then delete the folder, this should get rid of it.

Mcthommo · 12 May 2017 at 11:13

So d/l Ubuntu to a USB stick and run that? I've never used Ubuntu or anything like that so noob

Might have just had a brilliant idea maybe

swain90 · 12 May 2017 at 11:23

Make a bootable USB stick with ubuntu on it, boot from the USB, it'll ask if you want to run Live or Install, select live, once it's booted up it will show you your connected drives, find the drive you're having problems with, delete the folder, reboot and then try imaging again.

Mcthommo · 12 May 2017 at 11:41

Thx- I am currently using a Bootcamped iMac so will have to try to figure out how to choose the boot option- I think I know but if not, I'll still make the Ubuntu Live USB and use it on my PC later- THanks for the help
A can of coke for you!

Mcthommo · 14 May 2017 at 12:28

I went with the Ubuntu live option and managed to delete the folder but cant delete the residual trash folder but is only 11Gb rather than 212GB in size so that will work- thanks again