Is It Possible To Restore W10 Backup Image To New Ssd And Use It As Bootup Drive?

I am thinking of buying a new SSD and adding it to my Dell desktop PC

I have a Macrium 7 backup image of Windows 10 as well as other program files and data files of my current HDD.

Is it possible to restore my macrium W10 image to a new SSD and leave the current HDD intact with the OS and data files if I make the SSD the bootup drive using my PC's BIOS?

If it is would it be advisable to also install any other programs on the new SSD.?

 

Yes, that would work. You would be creating a dual boot system with two Win 10s. Unless you hide the other system when booting either you are likely to get confused as to which system you are working in with possibly unwanted consequences. Better to use the SSD as your OS drive and use the HDD as a data drive. What is the purpose in having two virtually identical bootable drives?

Be aware too that a Windows licence only permits one installation. Having two derived from the same licence is illegal and could lead to problems such as one of them being deactivated by MS.

 

Thanks for your reply.
This is my problem.....I am apprehensive , as I have never restored a W10 image before. If the Macrium image restoration process does not work I fear I will lose my W10 OS. Should I delete the W10 file from the old HDD before I restore the W10 image on the brand new SSD?

What would your advice be?

 

It is completely unrealistic to think you can do this without ever having first restored a Macrium image. My advice is based on the assumption that you have imaged the HDD in full including ALL partitions. If you have only imaged the Win 10 partition that won't do. Assuming that's OK, -

- Ensure you have created the Macrium rescue media and tested that it boots the computer and sees all of its drives.
- Boot to the rescue media and validate the image you want to restore to the new SSD.
- Shut down and physically remove, or at least disconnect the HDD.
- Install and connect the SSD.
- Boot to the rescue media and restore your image to the SSD.
- Check that the SSD boots to Win 10 and gets activated.

When you are happy with all of that come back and we can discuss what's next.

 

Don't wipe your HDD at least until you successfully boot and run off the SSD. If you follow Earthling's instructions, that shouldn't be an issue.