Simple replacing system drive under Windows 8?

Question

Can I just copy all files to new drive and replug it as "C". Will it just work?

No, it won't work. But there are many solutions, you just have to use the search box. — gronostaj, Jun 06 '13 at 14:38
Because hard drive is more than just files. The partition on which your OS is installed has a bootsector that contains instructions for booting that OS. You may also have some specific MBR (Master Boot Record) which serves similar purpose, but for entire drive, not just partition. Without those you'll have your files, but OS won't boot, because it won't know how to boot. Backup your drive and restore that backup to a new drive, that's the easiest way to do it. — gronostaj, Jun 07 '13 at 12:56
As I know, boot sector is identical in all drives formatted for windows. Anyway, it can be fixed with fdisk /mbr command or equivalent. Isn't this true? What are other things besides boot sector? In DOS times there were two files required to be located in specific place. This is gone now I think. — Suzan Cioc, Jun 07 '13 at 20:45

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 06 '13 at 14:01

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Yes, is possible.

See: Transfer my system to a replacement hard drive.

Edit: Suggestion: use Clonezilla, with it you can save an image of your current drive onto your existing new drive. This copies or mirrors the drive completely with data, applications, and settings intact.

edited Jun 06 '13 at 14:01

Journeyman Geek

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answered Jun 06 '13 at 13:03

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No no, I need not use some "restore from backup" or something. I want just COPY all files from old drive to new one. Is that possible? – Suzan Cioc Jun 06 '13 at 13:16
@ Suzan Cioc: yes, the article shows one way to do this. :) – stderr Jun 06 '13 at 13:21

Simple replacing system drive under Windows 8?

1 Answers1