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which instrument can I use to digitally clone a 500 GB HDD to a 1 TB SSD which does not require a laptop connection or backup software?

GMartin
GMartin asked
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Hello and Good Afternoon Everyone,

           This weekend I plan on digitally cloning my 500 GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD) to a 1 TB Solid State Drive (SSD) which brings me to the crux of this question.  I am wondering what digital cloning tool I can use which would be independent of any laptop hookup and data back software.  The digital cloning tool which I own, but have not used yet, is this one located at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073W4YDFQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1  Given the specs of this instrument, I am wondering if it can be used to clone my laptop's 500 GB HDD to a blank 1 TB SSD.   In my own personal opinion, I believe I can use it to accomplish this goal, but, I am uncertain.

            Thanks in advance for any feedback given to this question.  

            George
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Software & Systems Engineer
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Commented:
if your laptop has a DVD you could "pull" the DVD...place the ssd drive to it and do it without extra hardware...
If not it would be much cheaper to buy a 2.5 USB 3.0 external case and use that for the cloning..
Added bonus after you have done the cloning you could but the old 500gb drive and have an extra external Hdd...something like this : https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Tool-free-Enclosure-Optimized-EC-UASP/dp/B00OJ3UJ2S?ref_=s9_apbd_otopr_hd_bw_bAqpP1&pf_rd_r=VZVCQ2YSNTH414WGH9BF&pf_rd_p=ee0bab65-5c99-5a77-83a2-72f8a330316f&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-10&pf_rd_t=BROWSE&pf_rd_i=160354011
dbruntonQuid, Me Anxius Sum?  Illegitimi non carborundum.
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Commented:
>>  Given the specs of this instrument, I am wondering if it can be used to clone my laptop's 500 GB HDD to a blank 1 TB SSD.

Well, yes, it can be done.  But be cautious.

If you are going from a 500 Gb disk to a 500 Gb SSD it appears to work fine.

Going to a bigger SSD may need more work after the cloning has been done.  You may need to resize partitions (probably only one) to get access to the full size of the 1 Tb drive.  You'll do this through Windows or a third party util.

What the cloning will do will make the 1 Tb drive appear to be a 500 Gb drive.  The machine appears to do a block by block copy and takes no notice of what the size of the destination disk and doesn't adjust to the destination disk's size.

You need to do a full read of the questions and answers at Amazon.

I'd use software to do the cloning myself rather than such a device.  Software can adjust to different size hard disks and give full capacity.

See  https://kb.acronis.com/content/2931  for an example using Acronis.  This example assumes you can boot the laptop from external media.
GMartin

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Commented:
Hi

        With regards to the resizing of the partitions of the target drive to get its full 1 TB capacity recognized by Windows 10, can this easily be done without jeopardizing the cloned data on it?  If so, can this be carried out through Windows 10 without the need to install a 3rd party software?

         George
nobus
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Commented:
you would need to extend the Original size from 500 Gb to 1 TB in device management; but i'm not sure if windows allows it on a system you boot from
you can try it when still connected over the dock though
more info :  https://www.easeus.com/partition-master/expand-windows-7-partition.html
John TsioumprisSoftware & Systems Engineer
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GMartin

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Commented:
Hello and Good Evening Everyone,

          After reviewing everyone's feedback, it quickly becomes apparent to me that there are several options here for accomplishing the goal of cloning my 500 GB drive to a 1 TB SSD.  While everyone certainly answered my question, I went ahead and ordered a Wavlink cloning device at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019DNBU7G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.  Once it arrives, I will be using a YouTube tutorial located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcDEw05_XPA to carry out the necessary steps.  As previously indicated by many of you, I will need to extend the new c drive because of the cloning will do a block by block copy without consideration of the size of the designated drive.  The instructions for extending the c drive within Windows 10 is also included in this excellent YouTube video.  

           In closing, I thank everyone for sharing your ideas and strategies.  While I am confident the hookups and software mentioned certainly will do the trick, I want to see how well it goes without a laptop hookup and 3rd party software.  If for some reason it does not work out the way I envision, it is reassuring to know I have these options :-)

          George