Is it possible to move EVERYTHING to a bigger drive without reinstalling apps?

Haru

My C drive is literally screaming (only 2GB left lol). I got a bigger NVMe drive today, but I have so many games and licensed work software installed that I don't want to spend 3 days downloading everything again.

Can I just... copy-paste the whole C drive? Someone told me I need to "clone" it instead. Is cloning different from just dragging and dropping files? Looking for a way to do this that doesn't involve a degree in computer science. appreciate any tips!

Dervish11

Haru

Oh yeah, you can definitely do this without reinstalling everything. Do NOT just copy-paste your C drive. But yes, what you actually need is cloning. Cloning will make an exact 1:1 mirror image of your drive, including your licensed software, games, saved passwords, desktop chaos, all the invisible stuff Windows needs to wake up in the morning.
By the way, you need a cloning tool. Many NVMe SSDs also come with free cloning software, you can check first. Then, follow the steps with cloning software. It's easy.
One more thing: after cloning, if Windows still shows the old small size, just go to Disk Management → right-click C: → Extend Volume. Takes 10 seconds.

LeoF_225

No. Just no. Don't copy-paste your C: drive. That's not how Windows works, and it hasn't been since like… forever.

If you try that, you're basically asking your PC to boot into spiritual confusion.

What you actually do (since this comes up daily)

You clone the drive. Not "drag files like it's a USB stick from 2006".

Cloning = copy the entire disk properly:

bootloader

partitions

registry nonsense

all the stuff you don't see but 100% breaks when missing

Tools (pick one, don't overthink it)

Partition Assistant(easy mode for humans)

AOMEI Backupper(Samsung/WD/etc., also fine)

They all do the same thing. Don't get analysis paralysis over it.