I see programs that claim you can copy one computer programs and all to another. Anybody did this or know the best programs for it? Gettin a new computer and don't wanna haveta reinstall all these programs if I don't have to.
Anybody Ever Copy A whole Computer, OS and all?
- Thread starter DjMorpheus
- Start date
Are you talking about cloning the bhard drive? I have and didn't have any issues.....it was Windows XP and 7 don't know about 10
I guess. I've seen ads for software that claim you can copy your whole system to a new computer. I'm sticking with XP and 7 as well. I have 2 computers...one with xp and the other with 7. Just wanna copy the whole thing rather than installing programs on a new computer...plus I want nothing to do with windows 10
Use acronis
I just did this a couple months ago on Windows 10 using Acronis. Pretty straight forward process
heading to google...
I can do it for any computer if the second computer is exactly the same model. I can do it for any desktop even if they are different manufacturers. Laptops are a bit more difficult but can be done.
Depends. If you are just replacing a hard drive you can just clone the current OS and put in on the new hard drive. If you have a new computer you wont be able to do it because of different hardware. You can back up your documents, pics, bookmarks etc but not programs
Norton Ghost is great but if you are moving to different hardware you will need to run sysprep.
just did it on my MacBook Pro last night using Carbon Copy to upgrade to a bigger SSD. pretty easy process.
ghost has been around for years....
there are many others that do it too.
at once job they were investigation a cat and had me come in and ghost his drive , replace it so they could send the original for forensics
there are many others that do it too.
at once job they were investigation a cat and had me come in and ghost his drive , replace it so they could send the original for forensics
Microsoft has a migration tool to back up and restore custom settings and apps to computer after a hardware upgrade - it is automated but it requires a lot of skill.
Ghost is more of a 1 step process but to get it right you need to disable the hardware drivers that don't exist on the new PC. After the hard drive is cloned to the new PC then reinstall new Windows 10 drivers.
Ghost is more of a 1 step process but to get it right you need to disable the hardware drivers that don't exist on the new PC. After the hard drive is cloned to the new PC then reinstall new Windows 10 drivers.
Windows built in backup and restore (free) can accomplish what you're trying to do
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/4241/how-to-create-a-system-image-in-windows-7/
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/4241/how-to-create-a-system-image-in-windows-7/
great thread, lots on knowledge
I did the same thing a few months ago. Upgraded to a 1TB SSD for my MBP. Cloned & partitioned the drive & no issues to report. I run the old OS on 1 half of the partition and the new OS on the other half of the partition.
Best of both worlds, but now I wish that I had a 2TB drive....and did 1TB on each side.
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I've used Ghost a lot.. by Norton.. I've used Acronis. Both CLONE/ghost well.... Its cool, however, also know that you get all the bullshit DLLs and other operating system stuff that would be FRESH with a new install... Also, dormant files from uninstalled apps will still remain on your NEW system with a clone.
Also, cloning works best when your HARDWARE is the exact same from old machine to new one since you will be reinstalling DRIVERS from old machine.
Best advice is to get off a legit FILES, install OS fresh, and then reinstall your apps. You'll be happier, trust me.
Also, cloning works best when your HARDWARE is the exact same from old machine to new one since you will be reinstalling DRIVERS from old machine.
Best advice is to get off a legit FILES, install OS fresh, and then reinstall your apps. You'll be happier, trust me.
A simple way to do what you are asking would be to clone your HDD first, then delete all of the drivers leaving your programs intact. When you install your HDD in your new computer it will install the new drivers. The ones that are not installed automatically from the OS use the mobo disc or pull them from the vender's website.
Note: Make sure you uninstall the drivers cleanly or you can get a bsod. There are tools that will help you remove drivers. I will look them up later and post them here.
EDIT:
1 DEVICE AT A TIME:
1. Right click on computer icon
2. select properties
3. click device manager (its in top left corner)
4. click on the computer component/driver
5. right click on the driver/component
6. select uninstall
MULTIPLE DEVICES:
Driver Sweeper
http://www.guru3d.com/content_page/guru3d_driver_sweeper.html
This method will allow you to add your hard drive from a different computer to your new computer with all of your programs and settings intact
ALTERNATIVE MULTIPLE DEVICES:
System Preparation Tool (sysprep.exe)
http://www.fixedbyvonnie.com/2014/0...-internal-hard-drives-computers/#.VwWk0EcTzNl
This method may cause loss of settings and passwords...
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I would not clone a drive from one system to another in your situation. You will have all kinds of issues if the two computers have different hardware. If there were 10 of the same machines I was ghosting, of course Acronis or Ghost is best.
Easiest to start with a fresh install and install one program at a time. You probably have a ton of crap that you don't need anyways or is outdated. Advice from someone who's done IT work for umpteen years...
I've even done the whole upgrade from Win 7 to 10 and the computer was running like crap for days. I just made a list of what I needed and what was essential and reinstalled from scratch. It's a beast now. And I recommend all to move to Win10. Not the crappy Home edition, get the Enterprise and make a log in with a local workgroup, don't use a email log in for Windows or Cortana.
You actually run more risks these days running XP or 7 due to viruses out there preying on older systems and outdated software and antivirus software.
Easiest to start with a fresh install and install one program at a time. You probably have a ton of crap that you don't need anyways or is outdated. Advice from someone who's done IT work for umpteen years...
I've even done the whole upgrade from Win 7 to 10 and the computer was running like crap for days. I just made a list of what I needed and what was essential and reinstalled from scratch. It's a beast now. And I recommend all to move to Win10. Not the crappy Home edition, get the Enterprise and make a log in with a local workgroup, don't use a email log in for Windows or Cortana.
You actually run more risks these days running XP or 7 due to viruses out there preying on older systems and outdated software and antivirus software.
Cloning a hard drive is easy, use a migration tool to copy all your apps and settings.
Really appreciate all the responses. I may actually just wind up installing one at a time. The new machine will be an upgrade. THis computer is 11, 12 years old. Toshiba satellite notebook running XP. I ain't tryin to fuck with Win 10 right now. I want a seamless transition so I can immediately go to work without having to learn a new OS. Was trying to get around having to go thru drives and discs to collect the software to reinstall. I think I will clone the hard drive for safekeeping and do fresh installs one by one.
Use Apricorn upgrade kit. Piece of cake. And cloning a hard drive that may be dying to a new hard drive does NOT make the new hard drive take on the problems of dying. That's a completely separate issue from data.
Your call but Win 10 is not as bad as Win 8 was forcing peeps to use apps for everything. And it boots to a desktop environment, not to apps like Win 8 was.
If the pc is still running, should just do a fresh install on the new, and refer back to the old pc installing what you need one by one. Doing what some are suggesting here will be more time consuming trying to repair the issues you may run across. But who knows I may be wrong, but done a few moves from 7 to 10 and it's not worth it. Fresh install runs the smoothest. You're gonna end up doing it later anyways when you have slow boot times and laggy performance
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I hear you. THere's nothing wrong with the computer, I just want a new faster one.lol. I'm still gonna clone the drive for safekeeping. My other laptop is windows 7 but I'm cool with xp and 7. Not intersted in 8 or 10.
Saying Win8 forced the whole environment of using apps on users and many didn't know there was even a desktop any more or that you could boot to it.Saying Windows 10 is better than Windows 8 is now saying much.
Win10 does not boot to an app like environment. So for the average person who is first testing out Win8 it was intimidating. Win10, at least the Enterprise edition, is a lot faster to me on an older PC like mine, I am still using a Q6600 chip and it is still running the newest Pshop and Illustrator, my most intensive apps. All other machines in the crib, have 2 other desktops and 2 laptops, all running the same Enterprise edition, all networked to each other for files and central printing, those mostly running basic crap like Office that the fam uses. So I don't understand the hesitancy to switch from 7 for most. Win10 runs a lot better in my opinion...
i have cloned multiple systems over the years using Acronis without a hitch or issue, moving from smaller drive to larger [500gb-1tb]
have cloned everything from xp to windows 8.1, haven't had a reason to do windows 10 yet.
I have one machine running W10. But its not my main machine. Your right it runs well but I'll never load W10 to my main 2 machines.
The problems stem from Microsoft's heavy-handed tactics getting unknowing users to upload to an O/S loaded with in-bedded spyware. They gave it away! Microsoft is active within your PC more than you are. Just Google "Windows 10 complaints" and start reading. In fact a few BGOLer's have complained about W10 shutting down cracked software on their machines. Plus the O/S continues to call home even when instructed not to.
Anyone ever ask themselves why Microsoft was so willing to give away its latest O/S after the previous O/S (Windows 8) was a bust in sales even worst than Windows Vista? Windows 10 is not the big hit Microsoft thought it was going to be either.
All I run is cracked chit. As I said earlier, don't know about Home edition, which is what they gave away, I use Enterprise, not using any email log in, have not used Cortana with any log in. As far as calling home, I am running ESET, pretty much locked down, so don't know what further they can collect. I don't even use their browser
I'm not saying don't use it. All I'm saying is I won't.
Windows 10 is nice brush.Saying Windows 10 is better than Windows 8 is not saying much.