Partition, operating system clone software

[TheLastColdBeer]

Picked up a new hard drive, any favorite programs for copying operating systems, or cloning drive to drive?

[Merlin007]

Been a while but last time I cloned a drive I used Acronis True Image.

EaseUS has a nice utility as well: https://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/home-edition/ .  This is a trial so not sure if what or any options may be limited.

Not aware of any decent freeware though.

Typically I just spend the time to do a fresh OS install and reinstall the software I want.  It's a bit time consuming but it's clean.  Unless you have a crap tone of software...

[loaderXI]

35 minutes ago, TheLastColdBeer said:

Picked up a new hard drive, any favorite programs for copying operating systems, or cloning drive to drive?

Going to be in the same boat x2 here soon...Finally going to move both my main rig and back up to SSD

[X-RayXI]

Cloning: Acronis is good for cloning, but Macrium Reflect is free, free updates and no hassle.

Partition software: I always pick that up from: https://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ when it comes by. Normally once per year and have a spare disk with an OS ready at all time. Use Google for one which is free, but unfortunately not all function are there for you. Downside of Win10 or Win11 is, those small partitions you can't reach and destroy. For that, it is better to use the command 'clean' partitions with Diskpart under/using CMD(admin) 'DiskPart'.

Be sure you don't use MBR* partitions, but GPT to install Windows. Use those BIOS settings recommended.
When you buy and use a new drive, leave it be and just install. 

Other thing is what I do, is to clone your old OS and work on the cloned drive. That way you don't detroy the one that has f.e. System Restore active (enable that!) as those Restore Points are not there with cloning. See if the cloned drive is working, or just use the reset button to get in Save-mode(nr: 4) options by that restart. Let it find the drivers it needed or else download that from the vendor. 

(*You can use MBR, but only if you are sure of what you are doing. I hate using those BIOS settings and not using MBR)

 

Edited November 3, 2022 by X-RayXI

[E-raser]

I was worried about my older win8 pc (few years old) and the 1 T-byte HD was almost full and getting old.  So I used  'Macrium Reflect' to clone it to a 2 T-byte drive.  After cloning , I then had to re-partition(expand) the drive to the 2-terabytes.   Worked great for me.  I first tried and older version of Acronis and it was taking for ever and I was thinking it was trying to put everything on the cloud before pulling it back down into the new drive(?) - could have just been my settings , but I then aborted it(Acronis).. was happier with Macrium Reflect

[J3st3r]

Acronis True Image is what I use. I find it easier to use than most of the other ones and there are tons of youtube videos and other sources that show you how to use it if your not familiar with it.

And because I'm a broke ass mofo I get cracked installs from Piratebay. Can't see paying a subscription for something that I'll use Maybe 1 time every 3-4 years.

[TBB]

Been using Acronis for years - occasional clone - regular backups

[TheLastColdBeer]

Home, working 2morrow, but I'm really contemplating all the words of wisdom.

[BUDMAN]

I have been to myself...

[TBB]

41 minutes ago, BUDMAN said:

I have been to myself...

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet he's sober again!!!     

[X-RayXI]

24 minutes ago, TheLastColdBeer said:

Home, working 2morrow, but I'm really contemplating all the words of wisdom.

Source to Target drive: I highly recommend you to clone the drive and test it right away. Unhook the 'Source' one, that you cloned from(!). 
Check in the BIOS, the newly cloned 'Target' drive and boot it up. Acronis is not free and can do it from that 30 days trial. I prefer Macrium Reflect for many years. You can download it for free here and just try it:

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree
You can just hook on the new drive, start up Macrium and start cloning. You can keep using Windows, but I think not gaming  The system is busy, doing your clone (I/O's). 

Be very careful what you clone! Click on the drive you want to clone. I assume you have to check if it is named the "C:" drive with that volume "label". I always use the date of that day, as the volume label. The one you want to overwrite, name that just as simple as "EMPTY". 

Here is a screenshot of my drives and how it looks. As you can see the date (dd-mm-yr), it has been awhile that I  cloned my C :  drive. I clone for just having a kind of "backup". I would be online within 5 minutes, if something goes wrong. 

Just a little note: Any new programs like these, always shut off the Services after. 

 

 

[TheLastColdBeer]

4 minutes ago, TBB said:

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet he's sober again!!!     

I aren't, no point in wasting good Gin

[X-RayXI]

Beers, how did it go for you?

[WeednFeed]

I didn't read al the posts but I have Samsung drives so I used Samsung Magician. It worked perfectly.

Capt Krunch put me onto Samsung Magician.

[TheLastColdBeer]

14 hours ago, X-RayXI said:

Beers, how did it go for you?

Installed 2tb drive as second, moved all my movies over to it, & have plenty of room on my 1tb primary. I'm good to go for now.

[Labob]

Remember that all HD manufacturers gave the software to do this for free as well.