Is it okay to just take direct copy of C drive and put another system on top?
Is it okay to just take direct copy of C drive and put another system on top?
Dell G3 Laptop, C: is 128GB SSD, D: is 1TB HDD. I'm getting different answers about whether this works for me. My C: stays full because I don't put anything on it. Usually there are some files in AppData that fill it up. I have too much time to search for the problem, so I want to install a 1TB SSD as my new C:. I can move all programs and save all my important files to D:. Can I just copy my current C: drive over without reinstalling anything? Should I just swap the drives directly (clone)? (This is where I'm getting mixed-up info. Back when I tried this 15 years ago, I had to uninstall and reinstall everything. I don't want to do that again. One IT friend says Norton Ghost used to be able to handle it, while my IT professor told me I'll have to wipe Windows and start fresh on the new drive.) 2. Since I'm in an IT class, I'd love to use this laptop with both Win11 and Linux installed at the same time (dual boot). If I am allowed to clone and just replace my C: drive, could I make the new 1TB drive by creating two separate partitions? I would copy my current C: to one partition and put Linux on the other? (I know almost nothing about dual booting right now. The last time I tried running Linux was probably around 20 years ago. I've ordered a 1TB SSD and a USB-to-SATA adapter, though I guess I could take out my D: drive and plug in the new 1TB to clone.)
Yes, you can copy this to a bigger hard drive here are the steps for copying data successfully: Make sure your current hard drive has very little free space compared to the new SSD both drives need to be set up exactly the same way whether using Master Boot Record or GUID Partition Table download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration if you are moving to a Samsung SSD) If copying from a SATA drive to an NVMe or PCIe drive, you might need to install special software drivers for that new storage device power off your computer disconnect every hard drive except the current one and the new SSD turn it back on check that the computer starts up with only the current "C" drive connected if not, we have to fix that problem first run Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration) select ALL partitions from the existing C drive ignore this section if you use the SDM because it does the work automatically for you if you are going from a small drive to a big one by default the target size will match the source which is probably not what you want you can change the sizes of the partitions on your bigger drive click "Clone Partition Properties" and set the new size as needed here ignore this step later click the Clone button wait until it finishes when done power off disconnect every hard drive except the new SSD this is required so the computer tries to start only from the SSD (swapping cables doesn't matter for NVMe drives but you must remove the old one) swap the wires connecting the SATA ports so your new drive gets connected to the same port as the old one turn it on and check if the BIOS tells it which drive boots first if yes, keep going the computer should boot from the new drive like before maybe restart a few times just to be sure. If everything works well you can reconnect the old drive and erase all its settings using an online tool or command line tools ask questions if something is unclear.