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I bought a new computer (ASUS G551JM) with a hard disk drive (1TB 7200 RPM), but I want to transfer the OS (and everything else) onto my Samsung EVO 840 (500GB). However, when I purchased the SSD from Samsung, I did not purchase the laptop kit.

I'm wondering whether I can clone the OS from the hard disk drive onto my SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 (32GB), and then onto the SSD.

My ultimate goals are to save $120 by not buying another copy of Windows 8.1 and to retain all the pre-installed drivers and software from ASUS.

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  • what is your c: drive size? i mean used space size.
    – Haplo
    Commented Nov 1, 2014 at 7:29
  • My laptop is still in the mail, but I suspect it'll be less than 32GB. If I'm mistaken, I apologize.
    – TechEnthusiast
    Commented Nov 1, 2014 at 7:31
  • Why not simply use the software installed on Windows 8.1 to make a recovery image (from memory its can easily fit on a USB key or 2 DVD's - its about about 6 gigs), then replace the drive and use the USB key ? If my understanding is correct, I expect that like Dell, ASUS will use an OEM disk which does not require validation - but even if you do requre a key there are lots of free tools you can run on your existing install to extract your Windows key from the registry. [ I recently did something a bit similar with a Dell laptop I bought ]
    – davidgo
    Commented Nov 1, 2014 at 7:34
  • then i would suggest imaging your C: partition to Sandisk drive then you could restore it to SSD. Similar to what @magicandre1981 suggested but you wouldn't have to buy additional equipment.
    – Haplo
    Commented Nov 1, 2014 at 7:34
  • Thank you, Davidgo and Haplo. When I tried to create installation media for Windows 8.1 on my current ASUS laptop, the Windows 8.1 Setup program did not accept the product key that I had extracted with Belarc Advisor and, therefore, I could not create a bootable USB flash drive with the installation media on it. Nonetheless, would I simply need to install the SSD and then boot from a USB that has the image of my C: partition?
    – TechEnthusiast
    Commented Nov 1, 2014 at 8:05

3 Answers 3

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I've used an USB 3.0 to SATA adapter to connect the SSD to my laptop:

enter image description here
(example, not the one I used).

Now I used EaseUS Partition Manager to clone the HDD to the SSD. When this is finished I removed the HDD from my Laptop and added the SSD.

Now you can use the SSD and put the HDD into an external USB3.0 HDD enclosure.

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  • Thank you for your reply. The SSD 840 EVO 2.5-inch SATA 500GB also comes with a laptop-kit version that includes the Migration Software, USB3.0 to SATA Cable, and Drive Spacer. However, I purchased only the internal SSD, so I don't have the USB3.0 to SATA Cable. Would it be possible to use my SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 (32GB) as the intermediary hardware instead?
    – TechEnthusiast
    Commented Nov 1, 2014 at 7:29
  • I think the 32GB drive is too small. Such a cable is not that expensive.
    – magicandre1981
    Commented Nov 1, 2014 at 7:37
  • Yes, it's not expensive. However, before spending an additional $20 or $30 on a USB3.0 to SATA Cable, I want to try to find a few alternatives.
    – TechEnthusiast
    Commented Nov 1, 2014 at 8:09
  • If you had that cable i would say use it, but if you have not, that Sandisk drive would be a lot more handy imho.
    – Haplo
    Commented Nov 1, 2014 at 11:16
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If no one suggest you anything better you always can try to use Windows backup. To be honest never tried it for Windows 8.1, but theoretically should work (at least there is no risk to try it)

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Forget about the 32gb USB stick - simply clone the main drive directly to the SATA SSD via the cable using the easeus software. Key will get transferred with the image. Swap the 1TB hdd with the SSD then boot. Should startup fine.

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