Jan 27, 2024 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions
Hey guys,
Another SSD question that hasn't been directly answered before (in my research). So a couple of days before I ordered the SSD that will arrive in just a couple more days, I reinstalled Windows completely. My BIOS settings were already set to the right settings for an SSD (my HDD runs fine at these settings so I always just use the most modern options). And I have "externalized" all my files and folders. So, the whole file collection from the C:/ drive is about 40gb (cause of programs installed). This will handily fit on the 64gb drive (should have about 58gb usable).
Is it safe to just make a backup of my C:\ drive using Windows build-in backup tool? When it's all said and done, it creates an image on an external drive that is equivalent in size to my files and not a full drive image. Will I be able to simply pop in the windows disc, boot to the recovery menu, and restore from my image to the new drive?
There are 2 issues I need to answer this.
First, being obvious; will restore from the backup image fail because the partition size of my current drive is 498gb and not within the 64gb limit? Or does it only backup the files and disregard partition size.
The second question is; IF it can simply be restored using Windows' built-in tools, will it have any "alignment" issues? I know a fresh install will not as it aligns it in the process, but I've read about people having issues when transferring their partitions.
Thanks! I've been working on creating the smallest footprint and the most compatible and non-write intensive settings as possible for preparation, as this is a fresh install it would be nice to not have to do anything but simply hit restore.
Running out of storage memory to store the updates or the backup data on the drive of your device operating windows 7? Then you must be looking forward to windows 7 backup restore to the new hard drive. The new drive means SSD, as it is the most viable option. So, windows 7 upgrade hard drive to SSD is your task. To make it work, you need an SSD alignment software. This software will help to transfer all the backed up data on new SSD or restore the system image to the new SSD. How it exactly works to backup and restore windows 7 to an SSD, this article will explain it all.
Before heading to how it works, let’s just have a bit of background knowledge regarding SSD. Abbreviated for solid-state drive, SSD is the viable option to upgrade your regular external or internal hard drives. This popular alternative is famous for its ultra-fast running speed that makes your work easier. It consumes less power and helps you to store huge data. Physically it is stronger than the regular hard drive and it has a greater shock resisting ability. This helps to protect your data in times of any disaster. For a task like, restore windows 7 backup to the new hard drive, an SSD along with SSD alignment software, is all you need. This article would be explaining all the points regarding why you feel an urge to migrate the Windows 7 operating system to SSD and then you would be getting a free software tool to proceed with the process. Here are some of the topics that would be discussed in detail.
As an answer to the question i.e. why to migrate windows 7 OS to SSD, here is the simplest reason. As mentioned above, SSD serves with the fastest possible speed and you don’t have to wait for a while, as file opening is in process. Taking a long time for opening files and programs indicates that your regular hard drive is either full or it is confronting any physical or technical issues. In any of the reason, you need to shift your important data to a new device (storage device). So the task is to windows 7 backup restore to the new hard drive. Coming back to the reasons, here is a list.
When it takes a long while to load the program, to boot the device, or to open the file, it means either your hard drive is full or no available space is burdening the functionality of the drive. In this regard, transferring data i.e. data backup from HDD to SSD is mandatory to avoid any data file corruption or loss.
HDD to SSD transfer is carried out to achieve faster performance. Using the SSD software, it comes with an option of SSD alignment. This helps to increase the writing and reading speed of SSD.
Other cases to windows 7 upgrade hard drive to SSD may involve any virus or malware attack of the device and to avoid data loss, you use the SSD to back up the data. Faulty HDD i.e. bad sectors on the drive or corrupt file systems may also make you feel an urge to backing up and restoring all the data and operating systems of Windows 7 to SSD.
Now the question is how a task like windows 7 upgrade hard drive to SSD can be performed? As an answer, before heading towards any third party application software tool, some built-in mechanisms can help to perform the function. Here are three of them.
Backup and restore is the built-in tool for creating a system image without any backup software. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Start with inserting an empty disk into the device and make sure that it is detectable.
Step 2: Now in the menu of the main window, select the option of control panel followed by selecting system and security.
Step 3: In the menu of system and security, next you have to select the option of backup and restore.
Step 4: In backup and restore, click on the option of creating a system image.
Step 5: Now select the destination path i.e. the hard drive you inserted. Click next to continue.
Step 6: A permission message will appear on the screen i.e. which drives do you want to include in the backup? Select the targeted drive and click next to continue the process.
Step 7: Now check the backup location along with the size of the backup image. Once done, click start backup to proceed.
Once the process is completed, the backup image would be saved automatically to the newly inserted SSD.
For Windows 7 upgrade hard drive to SSD, there is another windows 7 backup restore utility i.e. creating bootable media with Windows 7. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Start the process by downloading the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool and ISO files from Microsoft.
Step 2: Launch the tool and select the option of browse for locating the Windows 7 ISO files.
Step 3: Now select the USB drive as the media.
Step 4: Once the USB is attached, click begin copying to continue. Use a USB with at least an internal memory of 4GB.
For restoring the system image to SSD, all you need to do is to connect the hard drive containing the image with either the new SSD or bootable media USB. Press F10 and the next steps for transferring windows 7 OS to SSD are as follows:
Step 1: Start the process by clicking any key to initiate the boot mechanism from the USB drive. Click next to continue.
Step 2: In the bottom left of the screen, select the option of repair your computer.
Step 3: Now select the option of restoring your computer using a system image that you created earlier and again click next to proceed.
Step 4: Check the box i.e. Use the latest available system image (recommended) and click next to continue. Now initiate the reboot of the system while your boot drive should be the targeted SSD.
Coming towards the third party application software option i.e. SSD alignment software, then none other than AOMEI is the viable option to proceed with.
AOMEI back upper professional is an automatic backup software freeware that helps to create every type of backup efficiently. As a backup software, when it is about to reformat the hard drive and leading to the reinstallation and reactivation of Microsoft office, this software eliminates all this effort. It will back up the Office. Apart from Office backup, it facilitates with disk backup, partition backup, file backup, and system backup.
Here is how the software will help to migrate the windows 7 to SSD effortlessly.
Step 1: Start the process by downloading and launching the software on your device. Connect the SSD to your device and make sure the connection id proper.
Step 2: In the main interface of the software, select the option of Clone, and then click on the option of system clone. In the case of a hard drive, you can go for the option of disk clone.
Step 3: Now select the targeted SSD as the destination path and click next to continue.
Step 4: Double-check the source and destination disk partition and also check the SSD alignment. It will help to optimize your new SSD. Click start clone to continue.
Step 5: Lastly, you have to change the location i.e. from HDD to SSD. Restart your device to set the boot preferences. Press F10 to save changes and again restart the device.
Hence, migrating windows 7 OS to SSD is an easy task if you are performing it with the help of third-party application software. In this case, AOMEI back upper professional is your deal. It is the most reliable option for creating backups i.e. system or disk clone images. Similarly, SSD is another viable option with huge data storage space and faster functioning. This article explained everything about the reasons why SSD is preferred over HDD for restoring the backup images. Three of the built-in mechanisms were also discussed in detail to provide an alternative for those who are not seeking the help of SSD alignment software. So next time you are migrating windows 7OS to SSD, you exactly know which path to follow.
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Amy Dennis
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