copying files to a smaller drive

Slam

Slam

Slam

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What's the recommended way to copy all files from a non-boot drive to a smaller drive?
The files are mostly game files (Steam, Origin, Ubisoft store) and I've uninstalled enough to fit the new smaller ssd.

Can I just do ctrl-a, copy and paste?

I did a search and everywhere talks about cloning, but since the new drive is smaller then that wouldn't work?
 
Cloning is for boot able drives
Ie operating system
Copy and paste if just data is fine

Edit and cloning to smaller drive can work
As long as the actual amount of data involved does not exceed the size of the smaller drive
 
thanks both for your answers.
Is there any advantage to using Macrium Reflect given that it's not a boot drive? is cloning generally a safer way to copy the files? (I plan to remove the source hard drive and replace with the target ssd)
 
As you just want a bunch of files, cloning isn’t the logical option. Rclone for command line or if you prefer something more explorer like TeraCopy works well and both will compare source and destination to ensure a perfect copy. Nothing to stop you using explorer or C&P if that’s your thing though, it depends on how important your data is.
 
Last edited:
copying files across using the standard File Explorer programme mostly worked. but some sort of Package files wouldn't go because "Your organization does not allow you to place this file here". any ideas?
 
Slam said:
copying files across using the standard File Explorer programme mostly worked. but some sort of Package files wouldn't go because "Your organization does not allow you to place this file here". any ideas?
Click to expand...

So have you tried the advice already offered about alternatives and if so what happened? I can't imagine you want people to repeat the same things again.
 
Avalon said:
So have you tried the advice already offered about alternatives and if so what happened? I can't imagine you want people to repeat the same things again.
Click to expand...

Correct. Took advice. Did copy and paste. Computer copied files, mostly. But some files didn't copy and there was the message "Your organisation does not allow you to place this file here".

I definitely don't want people to repeat the same things again. I'm looking for some advice to this issue which is different to my original post. If people are intending to repeat the same things again then please don't. Thanks for considering it but save your time it isn't necessary. I've re-read the advice above and can confirm that I did take it.

Having tried it I was only partly successful and an unforeseen issue has emerged. Any new ideas welcome. But as Avalon suggests, it wouldn't be reasonable to expect people to repeat the same things again.

Thanks Avalon
 
Do you know which files?
Usually it's you don't have permission
To copy them
That can be overcome
But can't place files here is new one
To me
Possibly something to do with
Windows store /apps?
And are you administrator account?
Either normal admin or the hidden admin one
If you know the file extensions it may
Help
Or if don't want to spend time on
Something we may not be able to sort
Just clone it
Even though it's not boot able it should work I think
With macrium you can even image it
Then mount the image with
Macrium viboot and see the files
 
Slam said:
Correct. Took advice. Did copy and paste. Computer copied files, mostly. But some files didn't copy and there was the message "Your organisation does not allow you to place this file here".

I definitely don't want people to repeat the same things again. I'm looking for some advice to this issue which is different to my original post. If people are intending to repeat the same things again then please don't. Thanks for considering it but save your time it isn't necessary. I've re-read the advice above and can confirm that I did take it.

Having tried it I was only partly successful and an unforeseen issue has emerged. Any new ideas welcome. But as Avalon suggests, it wouldn't be reasonable to expect people to repeat the same things again.

Thanks Avalon
Click to expand...

So you’ve tried one of several options suggested, the point being you don’t need new suggestions, but perhaps to try some of the others that were suggested now you have additional information.
 
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