Clone old HDD onto SSD

[The_Mowgs]

Should I do something with the ssd before starting this process such as format or partition?

The new ssd is already in the laptop so there is obviously no bootable storage. I will plug the old hdd into a enclosure and boot from that to do the cloning. Is that correct?

 

[Aquadyne]

I completed an HDD to SSD clone operation last night (WD SSD). I used Macrium Reflect free version. Worked perfectly.

Booted first time and Windows just needed to be activated. During activation just said that I recently modified hardware on the machine and it worked.

 

[newby_investor]

Should I do something with the ssd before starting this process such as format or partition?

The new ssd is already in the laptop so there is obviously no bootable storage. I will plug the old hdd into a enclosure and boot from that to do the cloning. Is that correct?

I would have cloned to the SSD in the removable enclosure first. But either way, you shouldn't need to format it first, just let the cloning software have at it.

 

[ISP cash cow]

Should I do something with the ssd before starting this process such as format or partition?

The new ssd is already in the laptop so there is obviously no bootable storage. I will plug the old hdd into a enclosure and boot from that to do the cloning. Is that correct?

for all my laptops I purchased a USB to SATA converter connected the new SSD drive up to the USB/SATA converter (basically like your external enclosure) and then
booted up windows.
Went into chrome and downloaded the Acronis software.
Went into the software and it asks if you are cloning.
You click yes.
Asks which drive you are cloning Choose your C:/ but it will list your drive anyway.
Asks where you want to clone to and it generally picks up that their is a new SSD that has not been partitioned etc
You click on that one
And it starts cloning.
Afterwards switched off laptop
Opened it up and removed old HDD drive
replaced it with the new SSD drive
closed laptop
switched it on
Walla!!

 

[The_Mowgs]

for all my laptops I purchased a USB to SATA converter connected the new SSD drive up to the USB/SATA converter (basically like your external enclosure) and then
booted up windows.
Went into chrome and downloaded the Acronis software.
Went into the software and it asks if you are cloning.
You click yes.
Asks which drive you are cloning Choose your C:/ but it will list your drive anyway.
Asks where you want to clone to and it generally picks up that their is a new SSD that has not been partitioned etc
You click on that one
And it starts cloning.
Afterwards switched off laptop
Opened it up and removed old HDD drive
replaced it with the new SSD drive
closed laptop
switched it on
Walla!!

I tip my hat to you good Sir

Thank you