How to upgrade to higher capacity NVME ssd in windows 10 without loosing anything

Question

Hello I have almost saturated my 256GB NVME ssd of my laptop and it was about time i upgrade, I have bought a 1TB NVME ssd to migrate into. It would seems that comments on how to clone a drive only copies the OS and not the programs too.

Installing my programs again and setting my preference profile back is a boot to much for me, I am looking for after the cloning it to the new drive i will be able to continue using it like nothing happened.

The old drive does not contain any user partitions but it does contain partitions from the manufacturer ( dell)

Can anyone give a concrete guide on how do i do this? I do have a PC that can read nvme no problem and YES the data is already backed - up its just the program specific profiles and preferences that i dont want to loose.

JW0914 · Answer 1 · 2020-02-15T14:51:49.907

You'll need to boot to WinRE or WinPE (Windows Setup Media) and perform the following:

Capture a WIM of the original drive's partitions via DISM
- Required partitions: OS & WinRE
- Optional partitions: OEM tools and Recovery Image partition(s)
Configure partition layout of the new drive
Apply each captured WIM to the corresponding new drive's partitions

Imaging

Windows has always natively supported imaging of partitions or individual directories.
- The system partition can only be imaged from WinPE/WinRE, while all other partitions are able to be imaged while booted to Windows.
- WIMs (Windows IMage) can be captured of an entire partition or individual folders/files and is the best method to use (specify exclusions/exceptions in a WimScript.ini file)
All WinPE/WinRE WIMs have DISM included within them.
- WinPE: Windows Preinstallation Environment
  - Such as a Windows Setup boot media (SHIFT + F10 to access terminal)
- WinRE: Windows Recovery Environment
  - WinRE is a WinPE image containing extra WinPE Optional Components vital to recovery

Commands

WinPE only has 32MB of scratch [temp] space by default, so /ScratchDir is required

Capture an image:

dism /Capture-Image /ImageFile:"Z:\Base.wim" /CaptureDir:"C:" /Name:"Windows Backup" /Description:"Base Image 2020.02.15 @ 07:59" /Compress:Max /CheckIntegrity /Verify /NoRpFix /ScratchDir:"Z:\"

Append an Image:

dism /Append-Image /ImageFile:"Z:\Base.wim" /CaptureDir:"C:" /Name:"Windows Backup" /Description:"Base Image 2020.02.15 @ 07:59" /Compress:Max /CheckIntegrity /Verify /NoRpFix /ScratchDir:"Z:\"

Apply an image:

dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:"Z:\Base.wim" /Index:1 /ApplyDir:"C:" /CheckIntegrity /Verify /NoRpFix /ScratchDir:"Z:\"

If applying a system image, the following commands must be issued prior to booting:
```
bootrec /FixMBR && bootrec /RebuildBCD
```

NOTE:

It's impossible for an ESD/WIM image to become corrupted
- Provided imaging commands are always issued with: /CheckIntegrity & /Verify
ESDs can only be taken of a system partition
- /Compress:Recovery is the only compression algorithm available.
  - ESD compression ratio is ~33% more efficient than the WIM compression ratio.
  - In Windows 10, Microsoft only allows ESDs for Push-Button Reset exported images
ESDs/WIMs are smart compression image formats
- Only changed files are added to an image when a new image is appended to it
  - Newly appended images utilize the same copy of unchanged files already contained within the image from the previous image(s).
    - This allows for an image to remain small in relation to the data contained within.

Configure Partitions

Boot to WinRE or WinPE:
- WinRE: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery - Advanced Startup >
  Troubleshoot > Advanced > Command Prompt
- WinPE: Boot Windows Setup Media and open a terminal via SHIFT + F10
Issue the following commands:
1. diskpart
2. lis dis
3. sel dis X
  - Where X is the # of the new drive
4. clean
5. convert gpt
6. cre par pri size=665 id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac offset=1024
  - WinRE partition must have 320MB free (WinRE.wim is ~300MB in size)
7. format quick fs=ntfs label=WinRE
8. gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001
9. cre par efi size=100
10. format quick fs=fat32 label=EFI
11. cre par msr size=16
12. If wanting:
  1. Rest of the disk as the system partition:
    1. cre par pri id=ebd0a0a2-b9e5-4433-87c0-68b6b72699c7
    2. format fs=ntfs quick label=System
  2. To create additional partitions after the System partition
    1. cre par pri size=204800 id=ebd0a0a2-b9e5-4433-87c0-68b6b72699c7
      - Creates 200GB System partition, w/ max size required being ~300GB if storing User Data directories on a partition other than C:\ (recommended)
        (i.e %UserProfile%\Documents, %UserProfile%\Downloads, etc.)
      - Multiply partition size wanted by 1024 (i.e. 200*1024=204800)
        
        format fs=ntfs quick label=System
13. Close DiskPart: exit
Follow this guide to recreate the EFI partition's boot contents
1. Another way is to close the terminal and proceed through Windows setup
  1. Select the 4th partition you created to install Windows to (partition from 2.12.1 || 2.12.2)
  2. Once setup reaches the "Installing Features" step, cancel the install
    - Setup can likely be canceled sooner, however, I'm not sure at which point it configures the EFI partition with the boot files, which is the only reason you're utilizing Windows Setup.
Capture and Apply the System, WinRE, and any desired OEM partitions from the previous disk, utilizing the commands under Imaging
- If using the option in 3.1, before applying the WIM of the system partition to the new drive, format the System partition on the drive (partition #4 from 2.12 above):
  diskpart > lis vol > sel vol <X> > format fs=ntfs quick label=System

DISM Prerequisites

Easy
1. Download & create a bootable USB via the Windows Media Creation Tool
2. Once booted from it, press: SHIFT + F10 to open a terminal
3. DISM commands
  - Capture or Append an Image
  - Apply Image
    - Get Image Info prior to applying, ensuring correct index [image] is being applied.
Custom: Create a WinPE/RE image
1. Install:
  - Windows ADK (8 & 10) is specific to the version of Windows installed.
    - For Windows >=10 v1809: WinPE Addon for ADK
    - For Windows <=10 v1803: Windows ADK
      - Select: Windows PE & Deployment Tools
2. Create:
  - Microsoft WinPE Wiki
    - Customize WinPE
    - Customize WinRE
  - Reboot.Pro Wiki
3. Boot it

Example: `/Get-WIMinfo`

PS $  ls -File "Z:\WIM"

  Directory: Z:\WIM

    Mode                LastWriteTime            Length  Name
    ----                -------------            ------  ----
    -a----        2018.12.24 03:34:13   95,019,530,773B  Base.wim
    -a----        2016.06.14 22:32:36              568B  DISM.cmd
    -a----        2016.05.17 05:36:10               97B  wimscript.ini

PS $  dism /Get-WIMinfo /WIMfile:"Base.wim"

  Deploy Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.18362.1

    Details for image : "Base.wim"

    Index : 1
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Base (Drivers Only)
      Size : 22,710,283,446 bytes

    Index : 2
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Software Installed (No Customizations)
      Size : 45,591,850,754 bytes

    Index : 3
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Software Installed (Customized)
      Size : 94,958,267,312 bytes

    Index : 4
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Software Group 1 Installed (Customized)
      Size : 101,588,267,910 bytes

    Index : 5
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Software Group 2 Installed (Customized)
      Size : 101,905,314,237 bytes

    Index : 6
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1809: Updated Applications
      Size : 114,959,954,040 bytes

  The operation completed successfully.

PS $  dism /Get-WIMinfo /WIMfile:"Base.wim" /Index:1

  Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.18362.1

    Details for image : "Base.wim"

      Index : 1
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Base (Drivers Only)
      Size : 22,710,283,446 bytes
      WIM Bootable : No
      Architecture : x64
      Hal : acpiapic
      Version : 10.0.17134
      ServicePack Build : 1
      ServicePack Level : 1
      Edition : Professional
      Installation : Client
      ProductType : WinNT
      ProductSuite : Terminal Server
      System Root : WINDOWS
      Directories : 24288
      Files : 112665
      Created : 2018.05.05 - 13:56:47
      Modified : 2018.05.05 - 13:56:47
      Languages :
              en-US (Default)

  The operation completed successfully.


PS $  dism /Get-WIMinfo /WIMfile:"Base.wim" /Index:2

  Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.18362.1

    Details for image : "Base.wim"

      Index : 2
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Software Installed (No Customizations)
      Size : 45,591,850,754 bytes
      WIM Bootable : No
      Architecture : x64
      Hal : acpiapic
      Version : 10.0.17134
      ServicePack Build : 1
      ServicePack Level : 1
      Edition : Professional
      Installation : Client
      ProductType : WinNT
      ProductSuite : Terminal Server
      System Root : WINDOWS
      Directories : 45803
      Files : 203058
      Created : 2018.05.06 - 01:55:47
      Modified : 2018.05.06 - 01:55:48
      Languages :
              en-US (Default)

  The operation completed successfully.


PS $  dism /Get-WIMinfo /WIMfile:"Base.wim" /Index:3

  Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.18362.1

    Details for image : "Base.wim"

      Index : 3
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Software Installed (Customized)
      Size : 94,958,267,312 bytes
      WIM Bootable : No
      Architecture : x64
      Hal : acpiapic
      Version : 10.0.17134
      ServicePack Build : 1
      ServicePack Level : 81
      Edition : Professional
      Installation : Client
      ProductType : WinNT
      ProductSuite : Terminal Server
      System Root : WINDOWS
      Directories : 62409
      Files : 350446
      Created : 2018.06.01 - 19:09:51
      Modified : 2018.06.19 - 21:26:18
      Languages :
              en-US (Default)

  The operation completed successfully.


PS $  dism /Get-WIMinfo /WIMfile:"Base.wim" /Index:4

  Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.18362.1

    Details for image : "Base.wim"

      Index : 4
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Software Group 1 Installed (Customized)
      Size : 101,588,267,910 bytes
      WIM Bootable : No
      Architecture : x64
      Hal : acpiapic
      Version : 10.0.17134
      ServicePack Build : 1
      ServicePack Level : 81
      Edition : Professional
      Installation : Client
      ProductType : WinNT
      ProductSuite : Terminal Server
      System Root : WINDOWS
      Directories : 61908
      Files : 346074
      Created : 2018.06.08 - 21:54:02
      Modified : 2018.06.19 - 21:26:18
      Languages :
              en-US (Default)

  The operation completed successfully.


PS $  dism /Get-WIMinfo /WIMfile:"Base.wim" /Index:5

  Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.18362.1

    Details for image : "Base.wim"

      Index : 5
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1803: Software Group 2 Installed (Customized)
      Size : 101,905,314,237 bytes
      WIM Bootable : No
      Architecture : x64
      Hal : acpiapic
      Version : 10.0.17134
      ServicePack Build : 1
      ServicePack Level : 81
      Edition : Professional
      Installation : Client
      ProductType : WinNT
      ProductSuite : Terminal Server
      System Root : WINDOWS
      Directories : 76113
      Files : 423408
      Created : 2018.06.09 - 20:38:36
      Modified : 2018.06.19 - 21:26:18
      Languages :
              en-US (Default)

  The operation completed successfully.


PS $  dism /Get-WIMinfo /WIMfile:"Base.wim" /Index:6

  Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
  Version: 10.0.18362.1

    Details for image : "Base.wim"

      Index : 6
      Name : Alienware 18: Windows 10
      Description : v1809: Updated Applications
      Size : 114,959,954,040 bytes
      WIM Bootable : No
      Architecture : x64
      Hal : acpiapic
      Version : 10.0.17763
      ServicePack Build : 195
      ServicePack Level : 0
      Edition : Professional
      Installation : Client
      ProductType : WinNT
      ProductSuite : Terminal Server
      System Root : WINDOWS
      Directories : 87659
      Files : 452028
      Created : 2018.12.24 - 04:27:13
      Modified : 2018.12.24 - 04:27:15
      Languages :
              en-US (Default)

  The operation completed successfully.

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 15 '20 at 17:28

0

I also asked the dell forum It worked with this solution

answered Feb 15 '20 at 17:28

Jack

191
1
2
10

How to upgrade to higher capacity NVME ssd in windows 10 without loosing anything

2 Answers2

Imaging

Commands

NOTE:

Configure Partitions

DISM Prerequisites

Example: `/Get-WIMinfo`

Linked

How to upgrade to higher capacity NVME ssd in windows 10 without loosing anything

2 Answers2

Imaging

Commands

NOTE:

Configure Partitions

DISM Prerequisites

Example: /Get-WIMinfo

Linked

Example: `/Get-WIMinfo`