Windows Clone OS drive - replacing HDD with new SSD in Dell laptop

I have a Dell laptop with Windows 8.1 pre-installed on regular HDD in it.
Obviously it has all those partitions Dell adds for factory reset etc.

Which software could I use to clone it all entirely to SSD drive?

HDD has 500GB, SSD will have 250GB.
HDD has one OS partition, but only about 100GB used.

Would it all work if new SSD drvie in not the same size?

 

I'm sure somone knows how to do it.

 

I use Miray HDClone - works perfectly.

There is a free edition too, but I don't know the limitations of it.

 

hah, cool spreadie I managed to get someone else to use it.

if you do use it do a 1:1 bit copy, it will work perfectly.

the limitation of the free version is you can't downsize drives, example, you cant clone a 40gb hd to a 20gb drive even if only 15gb is used

 

Um, what?

 

Also Clonezilla - I've used it for years for system drive swapping. It's free, universal and zero-touch (i.e. nothing to install anywhere)

 

I've been using it for years, and every so often the OP's question gets asked and I recommend HDClone by Miray.de lol

loads recommend other software, its the first time I've seen someone else other than myself recommend HDClone

 

Oh, I see.

It's been my first choice for five or six years now - it's never failed me.

Definitely worth paying for.

 

Thanks guys for your suggestions.
I'll look into it.
Next month I will be swapping those drives so will try out first to see hwo it goes.
As you mentioned, I will be moving bigger drive to smaller one, so need to see if this would be a problem. 500GB to 250GB, however data won't exceed 250GB so should be fine.

I'm guessing it will move all partitions, including those Dell installation or system reserved ones?

 

to do that you will need to pay for it

 

Do you mean full version of this soft?

 

Just use Acronis, it will clone the larger drive to a smaller SSD (so long as the data amount fits of course). It will also automatically adjust the partition sizes too, you can then delete them from within Windows if you want to once you boot up on the new SSD.

If you want a free key just drop me a PM

 

the free version will clone any size to larger drive, whilst even the cheapest paid for version will allow you to downsize to aa smaller drive

 

No love for Macrium Reflect then ? Works very well for me

 

Acronis is what I've been using for 6 years and it has never let me down. The new version even clones GPT disks.