Upgrading Harddisk

I am running out of space on primary HD with Vista installed.
I'd like to replace the HD with bigger one.
My question is:

I want to move all the system and data files on the old HD. I will replace
the old one with the new one. How can I achieve this without reinstallng OS
and all the software already installed?

Thanks.

Use a disk cloning package (your new hard drive almost surely either comes
with one or one is available to be downloaded from the manufacturer's Web
site) and if you are required to re-activate use the telephone process and
explain what you've done. It should be quick and simple.

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Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
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"Daniel99" <Daniel99@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0CAE88BE-3100-4C83-A40C-6C410357072B@microsoft.com...
>I am running out of space on primary HD with Vista installed.
> I'd like to replace the HD with bigger one.
> My question is:
>
> I want to move all the system and data files on the old HD. I will replace
> the old one with the new one. How can I achieve this without reinstallng
> OS
> and all the software already installed?
>
> Thanks.

"Daniel99" wrote
>I am running out of space on primary HD with Vista installed.
> I'd like to replace the HD with bigger one.
> My question is:
>
> I want to move all the system and data files on the old HD. I will replace
> the old one with the new one. How can I achieve this without reinstallng
> OS
> and all the software already installed?

The new drive should come with copy software to clone the old drive to the
new. If you get a white box unit so the utility doesn't come with it, then
download that utility from the drive manufacturer's web site.

There is good commercial software that will clone the drive as well such as
Acronis True Image, Norton Ghost, and Casper XP. Acronis True Image Home
version 10 works in Vista so it's good investment. I regularly image my
system with it for backup.

The key thing is after cloning the drive, remove the source drive so the
only drive in the system when the computer boots is the new, cloned drive.
Of course cable it and set the jumpers properly. Otherwise there can be
problems if during the first start after cloning the system can see both the
source and cloned drive. After that first boot from the cloned drive, you
can reinstall the old drive, format it, and use it for secondary storage.

Vista's activation puts additional weight on the drive where Vista is
installed so you'll probably get prompted to reactivate, most likely by
phone.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]