OS-Windows-10-ReplaceOfflineBootDisk

See Also 

OS-Windows-10

OS-Windows

This is an example of a method actually used, but is not the only method, and may not be ideal in any number of other circumstances. A laptop drive is being moved from a mechanical hard drive to an SSD. A backup is be made of the mechanical drive, and a restore will place it on the SSD. The mechanical disk is nearly empty, containing only a pre-setup image, but is far from blank, as unused space was not wiped by the Windows reset.

Preparation

This step is not required, but can be helpful for illustrating preparation related to making and restoring backups or for re-purposing a replaced disk.

1. Remove the disk from the laptop.
2. Mount the disk on another system (i.e. as O: for old).
3. Use SysInternals SDelete v2.0 to wipe the unused space on the drive.

   C:\> sdelete -z O:

   -or-

   C:\> sdelete64 -z O:

   • This can take a very long time in the case of large disks.
   • SDelete (or equivalent) makes it viable to perform a full disk backup that is reasonably sized no matter how large the disk is, but also is used to be sure the old media does not have sensitive data left on it that could be undeleted by another user/owner. (Bear in mind that a full, sector backup restore on SSD may be suboptimal. It could be better to only backup/restore allocated space on the file systems.)

Backup

This step is not required, but can allow for freeing up the original disk without sacrificing the ability to revert to the original media state whether or not the original disk is available.

There are many of backup/restore tools. A favorite is the Redo Backup & Recovery] live CD, but on occasion, does not work well on all hardware. In the circumstances leading up to this example, Redo Backup would not work on a Dell Inspiron 17R N7110. The live CD booted to a black screen even in safe mode.

In this example, an alternative was needed, and [AOMEI Backupper] was selected after reviewing a wikipedia:comparison of disk cloning software article. Though it was less than ideal in that it had to be installed, it had an apparent advantage in that it can inherently handle copying to a small er disk than the original as can often be the case when moving to an SSD from a mechanical drive. The free, standard version was used, though the paid editions have features that could be advantageous.

A full backup was made using the AOMEI Backupper, and ended up being less than 25 GB even though the source drive was 640 GB in size.

Start 

AOMEI Backupper 

AOMEI Backupper Standard 

As needed, supply an administrator password if a UAC dialog pops up.

AOMEI Backupper Standard 

Backup 

Disk Backup 

Disk Backup 

Task Name 

Win 10 Pre-Setup

Step 1 Select the disks you need to backup.

Select Disk 

Diskn ... 

[ Add ]

Step 2 Select the disks you need to backup. 

Open 

Look in: 

F:\Backupper\Inspiron_17R_N7110_ServiceTag :

[ Open ]

[ Backup Options ] 

Disk Backup 

General Default settings accepted: 

Comments 

[ ] Enable encryption for backups 

[ ] Enable email notification 

Compression Default settings accepted: 

(o) Normal 

Data will be moderately compressed. (Recommended compression level).

[ ] Save to global settings 

Splitting Default settings accepted: 

(o) Choose a predetermined size 

DVD Drive--4812 MB

[ ] Save to global settings 

Intelligent Sector Default settings accepted: 

(o) Intelligent Sector Backup (Recommended) 

Only back up the used sectors of file systems, and this will reduce the size of image file and backup time.

[ ] Save to global settings 

VSS Default settings accepted: 

(o) Use VSS (Recommended) 

[ ] Save to global settings 

[ OK ]

[ Start Backup >> ]

Restore

A full restore was done to the new SSD.

Start 

AOMEI Backupper 

AOMEI Backupper Standard 

As needed, supply an administrator password if a UAC dialog pops up.

AOMEI Backupper Standard 

Restore 

Restore 

[ ] System Restore 

All Backups 

Task Name ... 

...

Path Browse a path to select an image file and restore data from the file. 

Open 

Look in: 

F:\Backupper\Inspiron_17R_N7110_ServiceTag\Win 10 Pre-Setup

File name: 

Win 10 Pre-Setup

Files of type: 

image(*.adi;*.afi)

[ Open ]

Backup Point 

Backup Type ... 

Full Backup ... F:\Backupper\Inspiron... 

[ Next >> ]

Image Information 

Disk 

Diskn ... 

[ Next >> ]

Disk Restore 

Diskn ...

[ Next >> ]

AOMEI Backupper 

... Are you sure ...

[ Yes ]

Operation Summary 

[x] Align partition to optimize for SSD 

[ Start Restore >> ]

Repair

Boot DVD Win Logo Windows Setup Windows Language to install: English (United States) Time and currency format: English (United States) Keyboard or input method: US Enter your language or other preferences and click "Next" to continue. Next

Windows Setup Windows Repair your computer

Choose an option Troubleshoot Reset your PC or see advanced options

Troubleshoot Advanced options

Advanced Options Command Prompt Use the Command Prompt for advanced troubleshooting

Administrator: X:\windows\SYSTEM32\cmd.exe Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.10240]

X:\Sources> bootrec /fixmbr The operation completed successfully.

X:\Sources> bootrec /fixboot The operation completed successfully.

X:\Sources> bcdedit /export C:\bcdbackup The operation completed successfully.

X:\Sources> attrib C:\boot\bcd -h -r -s

X:\Sources> ren C:\boot\bcd bcd.old

X:\Sources> bootrec /rebuildbcd Scanning all disks for Windows installations.

Please wait, since this may take a while...

Successfully scanned Windows installations. Total identified Windows installations: 1 [1] E:\Windows Add installation to boot list? Yes(Y)/No(N)/All(A): Y The operation completed successfully.

X:\Sources> exit

Choose an option Continue Exit and continue to Windows 10 Home

System Reboots

Install

Windows Logo

Just a moment...

Cortana...

Just a moment...

Basics Let's start with region. Is this right? United States [Yes]

Just a moment...

Basics Is this the right keyboard layout? US [Yes]

Basics Want to add a second keyboard layout? [Skip]

Just a moment...

Network Let's connect you to a network Skip for now

Just a moment...

Account Here's the License Agreement Accept

Just a moment...

Account Who's going to use this PC? What name do you want to use? Name Owner [Next]

Account Create a super memorable password There's no way to retrieve a lost password for this kind of account, so make sure to pick something you'll be absolutely sure to remember. Password ... [Next]

Account Confirm your password Now, confirm that password Confirm password ... [Next]

Account Add a hint for your password Just in case you forget. Again, make it as unforgettable as you can. Password hint You're kidding, right? [Next]

Just a moment...

Services Make Cortana your personal assistant? Hey look, that's me, Cortana! Can I have permission to use the info I need to do my best work? [No]

Just a moment...

Services Choose privacy settings for your device Location Off Diagnostics Basic Relevant Ads Off Speech recognition Off Tailored experiences with diagnostic data Off [Accept]

Just a moment...

Services Ok, that's the last step

...

Hi

We're getting everything ready for you

This might take several minutes Don't turn off your PC

Let's Start

Start Power Shutdown

Shutting down...