Migrate Windows 10 to new SSD

[t4d]

I am considering purchasing and installing a new Samsung 970 EVO (500GB) SSD. I intend to use the M.2 socket on my mobo, which is an Asus Z170-E.

Because Microsoft upgraded my Windows 7 to Windows 10 a couple years ago, I do not have a Windows 10 installation disk, and so I am quite worried about migrating my current c: drive to the new Samsung 970 EVO.

I know that the Samsung SSD is bundled with something called Samsung "Magician" software (or something similar). The "Magician" software is supposed to be capable of migrating the Windows 10 OS to the new blank SSD, but does it actually work? I've read some comments in the past that this software is troublesome.

Anyone have hands-on with doing the Windows 10 migration to a Samsung SSD? Any problems or things to be concerned about? If something goes wrong during the migration process, I would be in trouble because I do not have a Windows 10 installation disk.

 

[quikah]

I used the software to migrate my install to a 950EVO M.2, it worked fine. I had to a bit of troubleshooting to get it to boot off the M.2, I don't remember exactly what I did. I think I just unplugged the old disk, and/or changed things in the BIOS/EFI boot menu. Sorry for being a bit vague, it was over a year ago.

You can create Windows 10 install media from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[t4d]

Thanks, quikah.

I followed the link to the Windows 10 page, but I don't want to install Windows 10 to a new pc, but rather to migrate it to a new SSD in the same pc.

From your reply, it seems that the "Magician" software worked well for you, and you had no problems. Am I correct in assuming that you did indeed use the Samsung "Magician" software?

 

[corkyg]

What I do is use current bootable cloning media. Connect the new drive to the system, then boot to the ref media and clone the old drive to the new on proportionally. Then remove the old drive and put the new one in its slot and power on.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Be careful if your old drive is AHCI. Windows doesn't like switching system drives between AHCI and NVMe directly. Samsung's data migration software should be able to do it without too many issues though.

Haven't actually tried it, because I usually do a clean install anyway when switching controller type. Just to be on the safe side.
...

I'd just do a reinstall. With 10 its no big deal. You just need a (=>8GB) flashdrive for the install media. Since your mainboard is already activated, it'll auto activate when you connect to the internet.

 

[quikah]

Thanks, quikah.

I followed the link to the Windows 10 page, but I don't want to install Windows 10 to a new pc, but rather to migrate it to a new SSD in the same pc.

From your reply, it seems that the "Magician" software worked well for you, and you had no problems. Am I correct in assuming that you did indeed use the Samsung "Magician" software?

Yes, I used the software that was included with my Samsung drive.

You can create bootable media at that link, there are instructions under, "Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC", basically you just run the media creation tool and select "Create installation media".

 

[t4d]

Be careful if your old drive is AHCI. Windows doesn't like switching system drives between AHCI and NVMe directly. Samsung's data migration software should be able to do it without too many issues though.

Haven't actually tried it, because I usually do a clean install anyway when switching controller type. Just to be on the safe side.
...

I'd just do a reinstall. With 10 its no big deal. You just need a (=>8GB) flashdrive for the install media. Since your mainboard is already activated, it'll auto activate when you connect to the internet.

Insert_Nickname,
How confident are you about doing a reinstall. Seems like I will be depending on Microsoft to actually recognize that my Windows 10 has already been activated. If they don't recognize my mobo for some reason, I would not be able to reinstall. Would not the migration be "safer" in that regard?

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Insert_Nickname,
How confident are you about doing a reinstall. Seems like I will be depending on Microsoft to actually recognize that my Windows 10 has already been activated. If they don't recognize my mobo for some reason, I would not be able to reinstall. Would not the migration be "safer" in that regard?

If you reinstall, the most important step is when you are asked for your key. If you choose "I don't have a key for Windows", it'll install normally but won't be activated. Just be sure to choose the correct version on the next screen (Home/Pro). Which leads to...

Windows 10 activation is a bit different from XP/Vista/7/8(.1). When you upgraded to 10, a signature of your mainboard (mainboard = PC in MS parlance) was uploaded to MS servers. Assuming you had a valid install. Which you did. When you reinstall Windows, it checks the activation servers if that mainboard has a legit signature. If it has, the rest is automatic and it will activate automatically. No further action is required.

If all else fails, give MS a call. They're usually quite large if you're having trouble activating with a legit retail key. Even keys for previous upgrade elegible versions. At least here in Europe.

 

[t4d]

Well, let me thank everyone for the valuable advice provided so far. Here is an update of what I have done:

• I downloaded, installed and used Samsung Data Migration software to migrate my entire c: drive onto the new Samsung M.2 SSD.
• I was in error by previously referring to this as Samsung "Magician" software, which I now realize is not a migration tool, but rather a disk optimization software tool.
• The migration worked well, and the new Samsung 970 EVO is now my new c: drive, with Windows 10 running well.

However, after the migration I am beginning to think that perhaps a complete re-install of Windows 10 might be a good idea. I'm pretty nervous about doing this, in case Microsoft fails to recognize my system and I would be left with no OS at all. So, I went to the Microsoft website and downloaded their app to create a USB media install onto a thumb drive. I have created the install media USB.

Not sure how to proceed, but I guess that the steps are:

1. boot up the computer into Windows 10 as usual
2. insert the USB install thumb drive
3. follow the instructions given by the thumb drive to re-install Windows 10 onto the c: drive (which will overwrite all apps and data currently on the c: drive)
4. hope that Microsoft recognizes that Windows "belongs" on my system and allows the re-install to proceed normally
5. if I lose my OS, I don't know what to do

Do I have that right?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yes, you have the "right" to re-install Windows. You (in theory, assuming that the USB boot media was made correctly, and doesn't have any defects in it) shouldn't have any real issues.

Be aware that, with Windows 10, if connected to the internet while installing, it will install updates and drivers for you automatically, but in some (limited) cases, you may need to download and install (newer) drivers from hardware vendor's websites. (AMD and NVidia, Intel, etc.)

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Not sure how to proceed, but I guess that the steps are:

1. boot up the computer into Windows 10 as usual
2. insert the USB install thumb drive
3. follow the instructions given by the thumb drive to re-install Windows 10 onto the c: drive (which will overwrite all apps and data currently on the c: drive)
4. hope that Microsoft recognizes that Windows "belongs" on my system and allows the re-install to proceed normally
5. if I lose my OS, I don't know what to do

Do I have that right?

That sounds right.

As previously stated, you don't need to provide your key during install. Windows will activate automatically once it is connected to the internet.

You can actually install and run 10 unactivated indefinitely. But you loose all personal customisation options, and have a nice watermark on your desktop after a while. Handy if you just need to spin-up a new VM to test something. Where you don't need to actually keep the install.

Be aware that, with Windows 10, if connected to the internet while installing, it will install updates and drivers for you automatically, but in some (limited) cases, you may need to download and install (newer) drivers from hardware vendor's websites. (AMD and NVidia, Intel, etc.)

This assures basic functionality. For the GPU, always install the latest drivers the manufacturer (AMD/Intel/Nvidia). Unless you have some pretty exotic or brand new hardware, Windows should already include support.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've used the Samsung software on Windows 10 and 7 several times without any problems.

I just used a USB adapter to attach the new Samsung SSD to the PC, ran the Magician cloning software inside Windows, shut down, installed the new drive in place of the old one, done.

However, after the migration I am beginning to think that perhaps a complete re-install of Windows 10 might be a good idea.

Why? I didn't need to do that on any of the PCs I upgraded. Are you having some problem?

 

[t4d]

DaveSimons,
No, I'm not having any problems.......the migration went fine.

The reason I'm thinking about a Window 10 re-install is to get a "fresh" version of the OS, to clear away any of the excess "junk" that the pc has accumulated over the past year or so.

Naturally, this will require a good deal of effort on my part to install all my programs, to save all valuable documents and old data, to make sure to save all the bookmarks, etc., for the browsers that I use, get all necessary drivers and updates, and so on.

I am simply trying to decide if a clean install will be worth the effort, or just to stick with what I have now, which is working.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Look up "Windows 10 Refresh" or "Windows 10 Reset". Those basically do what you want, and the feature is built-in to the OS.

 

[t4d]

VirtualLarry,
I looked up the things that you wrote about, and the refresh feature seemed interesting, but I think that it removes ALL apps that were not originally installed with Windows, thus requiring me to re-install many apps that I use. That would mean several web browsers, Sketchup, LibreOffice, printer and photo apps, Security Suite (from my isp), etc. Then I would need to go back to those many apps, and start fresh to change the settings and options.
Do I have that right?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Correct, it basically does the equivalent of a fresh re-install of Windows.