Installation on second drive


zaarin_2003

zaarin_2003

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Windows 11
Hi,

I have two hard drive's, one has my copy of Windows 11 on it (let's call it drive C) and it is a Samsung HDD, the other is empty (drive G). G is a newer and faster Corsair SSD drive.

C - Windows (1tb) - Samsung HDD
G - empty (1tb) - Corsair SSD

I'd like to move Windows from C to G basically, and boot from that SSD instead for obvious reasons.

What's the best way to do this? Should I do a clean install of Windows 11 on drive G - how do I do that? Will Windows reassign the drive letters itself once I can boot into the install on G (G becomes C and vice versa)?

Or would it be better to clone C (Samsung HDD) to G (Corsair SSD)? If so, how? I tried to use DriveGenie a couple of weeks ago using the clone option to clone C to G, but G wasn't bootable, whatever order I chose in the BIOS, it always booted into the Samsung (I had to option to use System Migration, but that would have only copied over the OS, I assumed a full clone would copy everything and also be bootable).

Grateful for any advice! Thanks
z
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i9 9900
    Motherboard
    Z390 Gigabyte Aorus Elite
    Memory
    32 Gb DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 4k
    Screen Resolution
    4k
    Hard Drives
    Intel Optane 905p
    PSU
    600w
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
zaarin_2003 said:
Hi,

I have two hard drive's, one has my copy of Windows 11 on it (let's call it drive C) and it is a Samsung HDD, the other is empty (drive G). G is a newer and faster Corsair SSD drive.

C - Windows (1tb) - Samsung HDD
G - empty (1tb) - Corsair SSD

I'd like to move Windows from C to G basically, and boot from that SSD instead for obvious reasons.

What's the best way to do this? Should I do a clean install of Windows 11 on drive G - how do I do that? Will Windows reassign the drive letters itself once I can boot into the install on G (G becomes C and vice versa)?

Or would it be better to clone C (Samsung HDD) to G (Corsair SSD)? If so, how? I tried to use DriveGenie a couple of weeks ago using the clone option to clone C to G, but G wasn't bootable, whatever order I chose in the BIOS, it always booted into the Samsung (I had to option to use System Migration, but that would have only copied over the OS, I assumed a full clone would copy everything and also be bootable).

Grateful for any advice! Thanks
z
Click to expand...
The first question is why you have a C: drive and a G: drive instead of a D: drive.

The second question is why do you want to change drives? I know Crucial is good, but so it Samsung.

This desktop came with Windows 11 Pro installed on the C: drive and an empty D: drive, which is named Data. I don't remember if I named it Data or it came that way. So, it's strange to me that you have a C: (?) and a G:.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy TE01-1xxx
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700 CPU @ 2.90GHz 2.90 GHz
    Motherboard
    16.0GB Dual-Channel Unknown @ 1463MHz (21-21-21-47)
    Memory
    16384 MBytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitor 1 - Acer 27" Monitor 2 - Acer 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC PC SN530 SDBPNPZ-512G-1006 (SSD)
    Seagate ST1000DM003-1SB102
    Seagate BUP Slim SCSI Disk Device (SSD)
    PSU
    HP
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's all Folks!
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 (10th gen) 10700
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 27" & Samsung 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x
    Hard Drives
    SSD (512 GB)
    HDD (1 TB)
    Seagate
    PSU
    Intel i7 10th Generation
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    HP/Intel?
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Internet Speed
    50 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox 90.2
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Headphone/Microphone Combo
    SuperSpeed USB Type-A (4 on front)
    HP 3-in-One Card Readr
    SuperSpeed USB Type-C
    DVD Writer
Wynona said:
The first question is why you have a C: drive and a G: drive instead of a D: drive.

The second question is why do you want to change drives? I know Crucial is good, but so it Samsung.

This desktop came with Windows 11 Pro installed on the C: drive and an empty D: drive, which is named Data. I don't remember if I named it Data or it came that way. So, it's strange to me that you have a C: (?) and a G:.
Click to expand...
I want to swap Windows to G because it’s currently on a HDD and G is a SSD, which is a heck of a lot quicker.

It’s G because I also have a dvd drive, blue ray drive, removable media drive… G is the next letter in the sequence (it’s a new drive).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i9 9900
    Motherboard
    Z390 Gigabyte Aorus Elite
    Memory
    32 Gb DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 4k
    Screen Resolution
    4k
    Hard Drives
    Intel Optane 905p
    PSU
    600w
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
@zaarin_2003

Yeah, you want to clone your windows install from the HDD to the SDD.


As you mentioned, you can also do a clean install...

www.elevenforum.com

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

If you decide to do a clean install, unhook the hard drive and the removable drive, before you do the clean install.
With the HDD unhooked the Windows clean install will be labeled as C:\
After the install you can set the HDD and the other drives to whatever letters you want in Disk Management. :-)




In your case, I would probably do a clean install. Once you get everything installed and set up the way you like... get some 3rd party backup software, and make a full backup.

www.elevenforum.com

Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper and Hasleo Backup Suite - GUIDES

How to use backup software... 1. When everything is working perfectly... make a full Windows backup. 2. Then, if something breaks... restore from the latest backup. 3. Then... try "whatever you were doing" a different way. If it still breaks Windows, then... go to step #2. 4. Repeat...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com



Assigning drive letters is easy in Disk Management. You can even get all OCD when you do it....

image1.png



This may be of some use after a clean install...

www.elevenforum.com

Windows 11 Tweaks - Leader Board.

These are tweaks I've seen asked for... many times. They are collected here for easy access. All of these and more can be found in the Eleven Forum Tutorials section. Make sure to read the "notes" in the various tutorials. At the bottom of the first post in all the "tutorials", there are...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3775 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5002)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
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    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
The most reliable method of accomplishing what you want to do, which succeeds nearly 100% of the time is to do a clean install to G: drive. Once it boots into at least the first setup screen on G: drive (not the install USB flash drive), then copy only the Windows partition by itself right over the top of the brand new Windows partition.

Many times if you were to clone the entire physical disk from the old one to the new one you have to repair the boot files in the system partition, which isn't all that hard to do, but for the novice the clean install and then replace method works well.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
I would just do a clean install, period.
Your specs say Intel Optane, your topic says hard drive... and the new drive is SSD.

I would start completely fresh. You'll have less problems in the long run.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3775 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5002)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
zaarin_2003 said:
I want to swap Windows to G because it’s currently on a HDD and G is a SSD, which is a heck of a lot quicker.
Click to expand...

Oh, now it makes more sense.
zaarin_2003 said:
It’s G because I also have a dvd drive, blue ray drive, removable media drive… G is the next letter in the sequence (it’s a new drive).
Click to expand...
OK, so is "G" a removable drive or an internal drive?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy TE01-1xxx
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700 CPU @ 2.90GHz 2.90 GHz
    Motherboard
    16.0GB Dual-Channel Unknown @ 1463MHz (21-21-21-47)
    Memory
    16384 MBytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitor 1 - Acer 27" Monitor 2 - Acer 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC PC SN530 SDBPNPZ-512G-1006 (SSD)
    Seagate ST1000DM003-1SB102
    Seagate BUP Slim SCSI Disk Device (SSD)
    PSU
    HP
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's all Folks!
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 (10th gen) 10700
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 27" & Samsung 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x
    Hard Drives
    SSD (512 GB)
    HDD (1 TB)
    Seagate
    PSU
    Intel i7 10th Generation
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    HP/Intel?
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Internet Speed
    50 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox 90.2
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Headphone/Microphone Combo
    SuperSpeed USB Type-A (4 on front)
    HP 3-in-One Card Readr
    SuperSpeed USB Type-C
    DVD Writer
NavyLCDR said:
The most reliable method of accomplishing what you want to do, which succeeds nearly 100% of the time is to do a clean install to G: drive. Once it boots into at least the first setup screen on G: drive (not the install USB flash drive), then copy only the Windows partition by itself right over the top of the brand new Windows partition.

Many times if you were to clone the entire physical disk from the old one to the new one you have to repair the boot files in the system partition, which isn't all that hard to do, but for the novice the clean install and then replace method works well.
Click to expand...
That approach is unfamiliar to me. I'm unclear on the details. You'd leave the original boot drive in place, do a clean install to the new drive, and then copy over the old drive's boot partition to the new at some point during the initial setup for the new drive?

I have cloned a boot disk a few times, using purpose made software. I've never had to repair the boot files. Just lucky, I guess.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 26100.3025
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) G.Skill DDR5 6400 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    BeQuiet! Straight Power 12 1500W
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    SilverStone Technology XE360-TR5, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    2000/300 Mbps (down/up)
  • Operating System
    windows 11 26100.3025
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
Split the Corsair into two parts: 100Gb and 900Gb.
Install Windows on the 100Gb.
On the 900Gb, create folders for Documents, Pictures, etc.
There will be drives C, D (Corsair) and E (Samsung).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI MS-7D98
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-13490F
    Motherboard
    MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    2 x 16 Patriot Memory (PDP Systems) PSD516G560081
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (GV-N4070WF3OC-12GD)
    Sound Card
    Bluetooth Аудио
    Monitor(s) Displays
    INNOCN 15K1F
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD_BLACK SN770 250GB
    KINGSTON SNV2S1000G (ELFK0S.6)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W
    Case
    CG560 - DeepCool
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS / 2 x 140Mm Fan - rear and top; 3 x 120Mm - front
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB TKL
    Mouse
    Corsair KATAR PRO XT
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender Antivirus
    Other Info
    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/66553205
abactuon said:
Split the Corsair into two parts: 100Gb and 900Gb.
Install Windows on the 100Gb.
On the 900Gb, create folders for Documents, Pictures, etc.
There will be drives C, D (Corsair) and E (Samsung).
Click to expand...
What is the point on an SSD?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 26100.3025
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) G.Skill DDR5 6400 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    BeQuiet! Straight Power 12 1500W
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    SilverStone Technology XE360-TR5, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    2000/300 Mbps (down/up)
  • Operating System
    windows 11 26100.3025
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
Ghot said:
@zaarin_2003

Yeah, you want to clone your windows install from the HDD to the SDD.


As you mentioned, you can also do a clean install...

www.elevenforum.com

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

If you decide to do a clean install, unhook the hard drive and the removable drive, before you do the clean install.
With the HDD unhooked the Windows clean install will be labeled as C:\
After the install you can set the HDD and the other drives to whatever letters you want in Disk Management. :-)




In your case, I would probably do a clean install. Once you get everything installed and set up the way you like... get some 3rd party backup software, and make a full backup.

www.elevenforum.com

Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper and Hasleo Backup Suite - GUIDES

How to use backup software... 1. When everything is working perfectly... make a full Windows backup. 2. Then, if something breaks... restore from the latest backup. 3. Then... try "whatever you were doing" a different way. If it still breaks Windows, then... go to step #2. 4. Repeat...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com



Assigning drive letters is easy in Disk Management. You can even get all OCD when you do it....

View attachment 86376



This may be of some use after a clean install...

www.elevenforum.com

Windows 11 Tweaks - Leader Board.

These are tweaks I've seen asked for... many times. They are collected here for easy access. All of these and more can be found in the Eleven Forum Tutorials section. Make sure to read the "notes" in the various tutorials. At the bottom of the first post in all the "tutorials", there are...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
Click to expand...
Thank you!

The consensus seems to be to go down the clean install route. I did try to use cloning software but it didn’t seem to work, the PC just booted into the C drive no matter what order I chose.

So, just to be clear, if I unhooked C (Samsung) and booted into the installation USB I’d created earlier, I can do a clean install onto G (Corsair). Then, when it’s all working, rehook the Samsung?

Will it play ball then and boot into the Corsair, assuming I ensure it’s set top of the boot order, even though there’s another drive suddenly attached that’s bootable? I would like to erase the Samsung when I’m happy, rather than erase it beforehand, you know?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i9 9900
    Motherboard
    Z390 Gigabyte Aorus Elite
    Memory
    32 Gb DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 4k
    Screen Resolution
    4k
    Hard Drives
    Intel Optane 905p
    PSU
    600w
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
zaarin_2003 said:
Thank you!

The consensus seems to be to go down the clean install route. I did try to use cloning software but it didn’t seem to work, the PC just booted into the C drive no matter what order I chose.

So, just to be clear, if I unhooked C (Samsung) and booted into the installation USB I’d created earlier, I can do a clean install onto G (Corsair). Then, when it’s all working, rehook the Samsung?

Will it play ball then and boot into the Corsair, assuming I ensure it’s set top of the boot order, even though there’s another drive suddenly attached that’s bootable? I would like to erase the Samsung when I’m happy, rather than erase it beforehand, you know?
Click to expand...
Ah well, the zealous clean install brigade always say that.

Frankly, it is dead easy to simply backup drive 0 and then restore image to new drive.

As you are not changing PC, there is absolutely no reason to do a clean install if your current installation is ok.

What is the worst that can happen? Something (unlikely) goes wrong in image restore and you end up clean installing and you undertake all the crap that goes with a clean install.

Compare that with an image backup and restore that takes maybe max 1 hour (ymmv).

So
1) make image backup to external drive

2) restore image to new drive

3) set bios to boot from new drive

4) optional - temporarily remove old drive and check pc boots ok.

5) wipe old drive (only if you have tested with step 4)

6) enjoy speed of new ssd without hours of crap reinstalling.

I have changed drives many times and never once clean installed.

Clean installs are the LAST thing you should do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
cereberus said:
Ah well, the zealous clean install brigade always say that.

Frankly, it is dead easy to simply backup drive 0 and then restore image to new drive.

As you are not changing PC, there is absolutely no reason to do a clean install if your current installation is ok.

What is the worst that can happen? Something (unlikely) goes wrong in image restore and you end up clean installing and you undertake all the crap that goes with a clean install.

Compare that with an image backup and restore that takes maybe max 1 hour (ymmv).

So
1) make image backup to external drive

2) restore image to new drive

3) set bios to boot from new drive

4) optional - temporarily remove old drive and check pc boots ok.

5) wipe old drive (only if you have tested with step 4)

6) enjoy speed of new ssd without hours of crap reinstalling.

I have changed drives many times and never once clean installed.

Clean installs are the LAST thing you should do.
Click to expand...
So will that create basically an identical drive for it to boot from as if nothing had happened, boot records, recovery partitions and all that? What would happen to drive letters?

Also, Windows is currently installed on the old drive. The new drive is plugged in and empty. Can I do this from Windows on the old drive, create an image of the old drive and then restore that image to the new drive, all from windows on the old drive? Does that make sense? Basically I’d like to boot into Windows on the old drive, do what I need to do, then boot into the new drive and it be identical.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i9 9900
    Motherboard
    Z390 Gigabyte Aorus Elite
    Memory
    32 Gb DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 4k
    Screen Resolution
    4k
    Hard Drives
    Intel Optane 905p
    PSU
    600w
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
bobkn said:
What is the point on an SSD?
Click to expand...
For example, for a clean install of Windows. All your files are safe.
It takes 10 minutes to reinstall Windows. If there is a script to configure Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI MS-7D98
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-13490F
    Motherboard
    MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    2 x 16 Patriot Memory (PDP Systems) PSD516G560081
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (GV-N4070WF3OC-12GD)
    Sound Card
    Bluetooth Аудио
    Monitor(s) Displays
    INNOCN 15K1F
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD_BLACK SN770 250GB
    KINGSTON SNV2S1000G (ELFK0S.6)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W
    Case
    CG560 - DeepCool
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS / 2 x 140Mm Fan - rear and top; 3 x 120Mm - front
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB TKL
    Mouse
    Corsair KATAR PRO XT
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender Antivirus
    Other Info
    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/66553205

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i9 9900
    Motherboard
    Z390 Gigabyte Aorus Elite
    Memory
    32 Gb DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 4k
    Screen Resolution
    4k
    Hard Drives
    Intel Optane 905p
    PSU
    600w
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
zaarin_2003 said:
So, just to be clear, if I unhooked C (Samsung) and booted into the installation USB I’d created earlier, I can do a clean install onto G (Corsair). Then, when it’s all working, rehook the Samsung?
Click to expand...


Yeah.

Unhook the Samsung AND the external drive as well.
Then do the clean install.
When that's done you can rehook the Samsung and the external.

Then you grab whatever you want from the Samsung. After that you can format the Samsung and use it for storage.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3775 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5002)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
You can use EaseUS Partition Master Free to clone your drive to another drive. I have cloned my operating drive to a new drive many times. I still have my old drive installed just in case my OS runs into any problem. I use EasyBCD free to boot to whichever drive I want on any given day. You can set it in the BIOS to booth to a selected drive of your choice. You don't need to do a clean install. Hope this helps.

cheers
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-11700K Desktop Processor 8 Cores
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix Z590-A Gaming WiFi LGA 1200
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 DRAM 3600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX ROG STRIX 1080 8GB
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster Z SE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VG34VQL1B plus a Samsung 60" Smartv
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440, 165Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Series - (OS)1TB Pro Gen4 NVMe M.2, 1TB Gen3. x4 NVMe 1.4 - M.2, WD 1TB, WD 500GB, WD 350GB
    PSU
    Silverstone Olympia OP1000W PSW
    Case
    Phanteks Enthoo Pro
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 SSO2 D-Type Premium CPU Cooler, NF-A15 x 2 PWM Fans
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB
    Mouse
    Logitech 310 wireless
    Internet Speed
    1 GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
    Other Info
    Testing Windows 10 Pro on 350GB drive
Scramjet said:
You can use EaseUS Partition Master Free to clone your drive to another drive. I have cloned my operating drive to a new drive many times. I still have my old drive installed just in case my OS runs into any problem. I use EasyBCD free to boot to whichever drive I want on any given day. You can set it in the BIOS to booth to a selected drive of your choice. You don't need to do a clean install. Hope this helps.

cheers
Click to expand...
I noticed on the EaseUS website it lists cloning as a capability of the free edition, but doesn’t list migrating the OS, which is a feature of a paid tier.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i9 9900
    Motherboard
    Z390 Gigabyte Aorus Elite
    Memory
    32 Gb DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 4k
    Screen Resolution
    4k
    Hard Drives
    Intel Optane 905p
    PSU
    600w
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
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