Cloning my OS from an SSD to M.2!

Cigarjohn

New member
The computer I'm running right now is a z97 platform. I'm in the process of building a new system whether it be a z270 or z370. So I was wondering since I already have Win 10 64 already loaded on a SSD; when I build a new system which will use an M.2 drive, will I be able to clone my win 10 from my ssd to my new m.2 or will I have to buy a new version of win 10 and reinstall it to my new drive. The win 10 PRO that I now have was a free download when I upgraded from win 7 64.
 
yup wut he said I always do a fresh install had to mainy issues back in the day trying to keep old images. Saves a lot of time and headaches
 
For me, it depends on how you do it. If you use commercial software, such as Veeam or Shadowprotect, it is very easy to do a hardware independent restore, which strips out old drivers.
Another good (and free) option is to do a oobe refresh of the OS (sometimes referred to as a sysprep). Do note that this option doesn't so much strip out old drivers as just put Windows into a refreshed state.

If trying any other option, i can't vouch for it: personally, start fresh is a good option, but not the ONLY option these days.
 
For me, it depends on how you do it. If you use commercial software, such as Veeam or Shadowprotect, it is very easy to do a hardware independent restore, which strips out old drivers.
Another good (and free) option is to do a oobe refresh of the OS (sometimes referred to as a sysprep). Do note that this option doesn't so much strip out old drivers as just put Windows into a refreshed state.

If trying any other option, i can't vouch for it: personally, start fresh is a good option, but not the ONLY option these days.

I stopped cloning when Microsoft decided to keep Win10 for the foreseeable, and update it quite massively as it goes. It always turns out that you will get a newer version if you download it from their site and make a USB stick, and an install is really fast these days any way. I've twice been on older versions of 10 that refused to fully update into the new ones.
 
I stopped cloning when Microsoft decided to keep Win10 for the foreseeable, and update it quite massively as it goes. It always turns out that you will get a newer version if you download it from their site and make a USB stick, and an install is really fast these days any way. I've twice been on older versions of 10 that refused to fully update into the new ones.

Thanks for your reply and advice. I think it would be best if I just do a fresh install on my M.2. Have a great day.
 
I'm thinking on getting a maximus ix formula and even though its z270 like my gigabyte gaming k7, I'm going to do a full reinstall.
 
I'm thinking on getting a maximus ix formula and even though its z270 like my gigabyte gaming k7, I'm going to do a full reinstall.

Yeah and make sure you get the latest build from MS before starting dude.

I jumped onto Win10 on day one. I had it about three months, then weird stuff started happening. So I was talking to a bunch of guys on another forum and they were going on about this feature in Calculator. So I looked at mine and it didn't have it. Weird.. I ran Windows update and when it was done I checked the calculator again and nope, still didn't do it. I stopped thinking about it, then I needed to install this update and it basically told me my OS could not be updated because it was an old build and I had to download a new build and start again.

I was, erm, how do I put it elegantly? not very pleased. I thought "Sod you I'm going back to 8.1!" and then I found out after 30 days MS lock your key to 10 if it isn't retail, so my key no longer worked with 8.1. Fuming I ended up reinstalling 10 thinking that was it.

Nope. Stuck on that very same version until the Creator's Update came out and ended up having to do the same again. Again it told me my version was too old ETC.

And you will see this alot with 10, given that apparently MS are never releasing another OS. They are, they are just keeping the same name and so on. It will likely change pretty severely, and every time it's a severe change you will be reinstalling any way like it or not.

Which kinda makes cloning and keeping hefty images around kinda pointless sadly.
 
Yeah and make sure you get the latest build from MS before starting dude.

I jumped onto Win10 on day one. I had it about three months, then weird stuff started happening. So I was talking to a bunch of guys on another forum and they were going on about this feature in Calculator. So I looked at mine and it didn't have it. Weird.. I ran Windows update and when it was done I checked the calculator again and nope, still didn't do it. I stopped thinking about it, then I needed to install this update and it basically told me my OS could not be updated because it was an old build and I had to download a new build and start again.

I was, erm, how do I put it elegantly? not very pleased. I thought "Sod you I'm going back to 8.1!" and then I found out after 30 days MS lock your key to 10 if it isn't retail, so my key no longer worked with 8.1. Fuming I ended up reinstalling 10 thinking that was it.

Nope. Stuck on that very same version until the Creator's Update came out and ended up having to do the same again. Again it told me my version was too old ETC.

And you will see this alot with 10, given that apparently MS are never releasing another OS. They are, they are just keeping the same name and so on. It will likely change pretty severely, and every time it's a severe change you will be reinstalling any way like it or not.

Which kinda makes cloning and keeping hefty images around kinda pointless sadly.
Oh yeah that’s a given. Still working out the deal he wants my 500Gb 850 evo and $100 for it. Pretty good deal imho as I can sell my gaming k7 for at least 125$ most likely. Just need to get the files I want off the evo and wipe it. The figure out what drive to put in, it’s my laptops drive and I don’t really use it a lot.
 
I'm thinking on getting a maximus ix formula and even though its z270 like my gigabyte gaming k7, I'm going to do a full reinstall.

Yeah, I like that formula with it's armor look but I really have no need for the WiFI or the option to liquid cool the VRM's as I've never had any heat issues with my VRMs in the past. But I like that it has that option if you want it. I was real close on going for that z270 ws but I think I want to see the results of the Coffee Lake on the Apex or the Hero. I wonder if Asus will make a z370 ws board as well.
 
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