Windows 7 - New SSD - reinstall C: Drive

Derek W · 14 Jun 2014 at 13:09

Afternoon all,

I've recently bought a new SSD to replace my 128Gb one that I'm currently using as my boot drive. Obviously with Windows 7 I've got it backing up to a separate SATA drive which will be 'restored' when i install my new SSD.

I assume the Windows 7 backup only copies the user files rather than the whole 'image' of the C: Drive? Basically I'm asking will i have to install all my programs / drivers all over again on the new drive?

Derek W · 14 Jun 2014 at 13:59

ok cheers, will take a look to see how ive got it set up.

Derek W · 14 Jun 2014 at 15:59

Checked my backup and it does say that its doing a user files backup as well as a disk image (but my latest backup is only 40GB while 90Gb of my SSD is used :confused:

)

I take it if i use clonezilla or Reflect i'll be able to clone the drive onto the new one, switch the drive slots about, reboot and it'll work as it did before? First time I've done this rather than change drives and reinstall everything so forgive the daft questions!

Derek W · 15 Jun 2014 at 12:46

*Jazz hands*

Cheers Bledd and others. I presume that I'll be formatting the new drive before cloning the original drive onto it? Should get that sorted out today.

Derek W · 15 Jun 2014 at 20:03

I'm now using my new SSD (only took 15 mins to transfer everything across. I have noticed that it has precisely cloned the original drive as there's 100Gb unallocated. Presumably I just 'Extend Volume' in computer management to make the remainder of the space usable.

Derek W · 15 Jun 2014 at 20:35

Uhtred said:
Yep, exactly. With windows 7 + above (and possibly Vista) you can extend the c:\ on the fly.

Cool cheers. Just wanted to make sure before going ahead with it. I'm just amazed it was so easy to do and saved the hassle of reinstalling everything!