Best/simple cloning software?

[Homerboy]

I have a Win10 machine with a failing C drive. I just ordered a 1TB replacement for it.
What's the best software to clone the exisiting C so that everything just up-and-runs after I'm done? This is used as a "home server" that runs a whole ton of processes so I don't want to have to re-do everything on it.

Ideally it should be bootable from USB thumbdrive I guess (no FDD and I dont think I have an blank CDs laying around anymore)

Thanks in advance.

 

[UsandThem]

You didn't say what brand of hard drive you ordered, as some of them have free cloning software available on the manufacturer's website, but this is one is a good cloning free program. They have a feature chart that shows the differences between paid and free versions, so you can see if it will work for your needs.

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

 

[Batmeat]

You're going to get a variety of responses to your question. I like Acronis True image. It's not free but it works. I have used macrium reflect a total of 3 times. It failed every time. Not knocking the program 'cause lots of people have success with it, just not me. I also like ghost if your comfortable using command lines to clone.

 

[Homerboy]

You didn't say what brand of hard drive you ordered, as some of them have free cloning software available on the manufacturer's website, but this is one is a good cloning free program. They have a feature chart that shows the differences between paid and free versions, so you can see if it will work for your needs.

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

*sigh*
trying to clone an old 160GB to a new 1TB primary drive.
Sadly, it hangs every time. So I ran chkdsk on the 160GB and that is getting stuck at 20%
I can't get this stupid thing cloned!

 

[UsandThem]

What brand is your new hard drive?

 

[Homerboy]

WD

Download the WD Acronis, installed and ran it. Set up a clone, and required reboot to begin the process.

At reboot, it goes to the Acronis progress screen with progress bar. Sits there for a couple of minutes then just reboots back into Windows


*sigh*

 

[UsandThem]

Did you try the Macrium Reflect I linked to earlier? If so, there are a few more free ones to try:

http://clonezilla.org/clonezilla-live.php

http://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/index.htm

Here is the support page for WD Acronis that might help with whatever error you are encountering:

https://kb.acronis.com/content/46710

 

[lxskllr]

I use clonezilla. Sounds like ddrescue might be better in your case.

 

[Homerboy]

I gave Macrium Reflect one more chance and it worked for me. Up and running on the new drive.
HOWEVER, I must have missed a setting or something as it set up my new 1TB drive with 2 partitions - 1 is 160GB (original HDD) and the other is the remaining space.
Is there a (simple) way to merge the two partitions within Windows?


PS: Thanks for the help!

 

[Homerboy]

PPS: The "extend partition" in Disk Management is greyed out...

 

[Homerboy]

probably because there's the stupid 450MB "Recovery Partition" making it non-contiguous.
Crap.

 

[Homerboy]

Partition Manager to the rescue!
All good and I should be set. Thanks everyone!

 

[sdifox]

I gave Macrium Reflect one more chance and it worked for me. Up and running on the new drive.
HOWEVER, I must have missed a setting or something as it set up my new 1TB drive with 2 partitions - 1 is 160GB (original HDD) and the other is the remaining space.
Is there a (simple) way to merge the two partitions within Windows?


PS: Thanks for the help!

Delete the second partition, extend the first one.