How to Move Windows to Another Drive

In this article, we’ll walk you through the simple process of installing Windows 10 on a solid-state drive.

Keep in mind, though, that this approach is geared at folks who are merely exchanging drives, although, depending on your setup, this strategy may also work if you are building a new rig or swapping PCs. Even if you’re prepared to pay for more services, it probably won’t be compatible with your virtualization endeavour.

Installing the new disc and preparing it for the Windows 10 migration is a prerequisite for beginning the process. Check out our comprehensive guide on PC construction for more information.

A Free Copy of Macrium Reflect Is Available For Download

In this manual, we make use of Macrium Reflect Free. This programme will allow you to copy the contents of your primary drive, including Windows 10, to a new solid-state drive at no cost.

Keep in mind that cloning also necessitates a destination SSD of comparable or greater size to the primary disc. If you don’t do that, it won’t work.

1. First, select Reflect 8 Free Commercial from the website’s menu. If you want a free copy, just enter your email address and click the download button. Pick out a free personal licence for me.
2. Second, after making your selection, click the Continue button and check your email for the download link.
3. Third, click the email’s link to download and set up the app. Just select “Free” as your installation type and click “Download” when prompted. For automatic installation, select the Run installer right after downloading option.
4. To proceed to Step 4, read and then implement the on-screen prompts. Keep clicking Next until prompted to confirm that you do not want to instal any further software, at which point you can deselect the corresponding boxes. If you’re ready, click the Finish button to begin the installation. When ready, press the “Start” button.

Set up Macrium Reflect 8 for Drive Cloning

Open Macrium Reflect 8 to begin copying once it has been installed. Let me explain.

1. As a first step, select your primary data disc by clicking the Local discs option at the top. Select the centre menu item labelled Clone this disc. Since it contains many partitions, this is likely to be your primary hard drive.
2. Second, ensure that the primary disc is completely checked off. All of the compartments and the whole system should be double-checked.
3. Third, choose your new SSD from the app’s list of discs in the Select a disc to clone to section. Do a fresh app restart if you still can’t find it. To make the SSD completely invisible, you need select the Erase disc option and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. For the following phase, ensure sure the box labelled Copy chosen partitions when I click next is checked. Please press the Next button to continue.
5. In Step 5, you’ll be sent to a timetable page. Click the Next button to move on. See below for a rundown of the tasks you’re about to undertake. Choose the Close button.
6. Select the Run this backup now option from the pop-up menu. If prompted, select Continue > OK to proceed.
7. The seventh step is to relax while your disc is being copied. A lot of time, depending on the speed of your computer and the SSD you’re using. It just took seven minutes for us to clone.
8. When you’re finished with Step 8, you should be able to verify that your drives are identical in appearance using the Macrium Reflect 8 application.

Make the New Solid-State Drive the Primary One.

The last step is to designate the new drive as the primary boot device. If you need the old drive for any other purpose, you can leave it installed in your computer. In any case, you may take it apart and put it back together again.

1. First, restart your computer into the system’s BIOS or UEFI menu. It’s common practise to use ESC for this, though the Delete key also works. Don’t hesitate to look up answers to your questions on the internet.
2. Navigate to the Boot settings page, where you’ll need to either delete the old disc from the list of bootable devices or make it inactive, before adding the new one as a bootable device. In some cases, the BIOS or UEFI will allow you to move the drive physically, while others will provide a selection from which to choose.
3. Third, once the new drive has been set as the primary boot option in the BIOS, select Save and exit. You should now see your new SSD as the boot device.