Upgrading To Bigger HD

Hey guys;

I'm going to be upgrading to a bigger HD in the next few days and I was wondering if someone could recommend a free program where I can basically copy my windows from current HD to new HD with everything installed ? I remember I did this a long long time ago but don't remember the program so if you can recommend one for me that's freeware that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Shane

 

i dont know if there is good imaging software available for free, i always use acronis, it works like a charm. also, will you move to a normal or SSD disk? because i noticed that there are almost no imaging programs available which work with SSDs

 

my move is to normal...

I'll check out acronis I don't mind paying for software I just don't want to pay alot for something that I may or may not use more than once

 

I'm a great believer in Acronis too but for what you are wanting to do the free version of Easeus Todo Backup will do just fine.

 

Thanks;
After the first person recommended it to me I went to: http://alternativeto.net/software/acronis-migrate-easy/
and found a free alternative: Macrium Reflect Free Edition
That's what I just downloaded and installed.. However I already use another EaseUs program which I find incredibly easy I may check out the one you mentioned Earthling

 

I've heard of a number of failed restores with Macrium Reflect, though it has always worked whenever I have tried it. I have never heard of a failed restore with Easeus Todo.

 

Alright thanks Earthling for your knowledge that seems to be out of this world.. I shall try EaseUs Todo that you mentioned..

 

Thanks Cesarvh & Earthling for your suggestions I ultimately used Easeus Todo Backup and only had one minor glitch... After everything was said and done, I had to reinstall avast as it kept asking for a key when I was using free before but it wouldn't let me fall back to free... But things work flawlessly and now I'm on my bigger hard drive with little to no work.

 

Pleased it worked and thanks for the feedback

 

I'll add that I've had a bad experience with Macrium as well.

Acronis if you can afford it, Easeus Todo for the frugal, IMO...

 

For future reference:

1) You probably clicked on "upgrade" for avast when all you wanted to do was "continue using free" (which is in small print at the bottom of the screen).

2) The Key you need is the Key to use the free version past the 30 day grace period; after 30 days you have to register the program even for the free version. Once registered, you can use the free version for a year, after which you go through the pain-in-the-butt exercise again.

3) This Pup is one whose had a failed Macrium experience. Needed to do a system restore on my laptop, and Macrium refused to do it; even tried launching it from the emergency Macrium CD with no joy. I had to reinstall Windows and all my applications. I now have EaseUS Todo Free as my backup & clone software (courtesy of Earthling's recommendation).