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In switching OS drive, is there a problem with cloning the old drive to the new one, or do I need to do a fresh install?
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Hi,
If you’re switching your Windows 10 drive, the more reliable option is a fresh install. While cloning is faster, it can carry over hidden issues, old drivers, or clutter from your current setup. A clean install takes more effort since you’ll need to reinstall your apps and restore files from backup, but it gives you a stable, cleaner system that often runs faster especially on a new SSD.
Kind regards,
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I'm trying to replace an old HDD C drive with a new SSD, and it's driving me crazy. I cloned the current C drive to the SSD. The computer sees the new drive as long as it is not plugged into the C drive slot, but when I do put it there, the computer won't do anything because it think it doesn't have Windows anymore. I've been going around and around with it all day. I'm about to try a fresh install of Windows 10 (this computer isn't up to Windows 11 specs). straight to the new drive. Help?!?
Plug your new drive into the C slot. Enter the Windows Recovery Environment and run Startup Repair.
Thanks. I tried it. The fix he suggested did not work. The troubleshooting "could not repair" my machine and offered no solutions.
You can try the "Migrate the OS" feature if it is offered in your cloning software. That name implies making a bootable drive.
We often clone a system drive for various reasons (upgrade to a larger drive, replace a failing drive, replace an HDD with a faster SSD). There can be occasional complications, but it usually works fine.
You can use the "Migrate the OS" feature in third-party partitioning software to create a bootable copy on another drive. That way, you will get a choice of which Windows you want to boot up.
