Basic Backup Guide for Secondary Drive?


tallen2_34

Active member
Local time
3:12 AM
Posts
5
OS
Windows 11
Hi All,

My 2tb secondary hard drive is failing. My OS is on a separate SSD. I have my pictures, videos, documents, etc. on this drive as well as some programs. I bought a 3tb drive to replace it with. Because of the failing aspect of the drive, I cannot clone it after trying a few different options. I do have the data on the drive backed up to a cloud account through "iDrive."

I am looking for a basic guide on how to swap it out as seamlessly as possible. If I restore the backup to the 3tb drive and rename it as the same location as the failing drive, will Windows be able to "map" or recognize the various directories and programs on the new drive? I also have an external enclosure for the new drive, if that helps the migration process.

This is a first for me, so I want to make sure I get it right.

Thanks!
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Home: Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell/Alienware AuroraR7
    CPU
    3.70 gigahertz Intel Core i7-8700K
    Motherboard
    Alienware 0VDT73 A00
    Memory
    31.82 Gigabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung U28E510 [Monitor] (27.7
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    CT1000MX500SSD1 [Hard drive] (1.00 TB)
    M4-CT256M4SSD2 [Hard drive] (256.06 GB) -- drive 1,
    PC401 NVMe SK hynix 256GB [Hard drive] (256.05 GB) -- drive 3,
    ST2000DM001-1ER164 [Hard drive] (2.00 TB)
    PSU
    EVGA 220-G5-0750-X1 Super Nova 750 G5, 80 Plus Gold 750W
    Case
    OEM
    Cooling
    Liquid
    Keyboard
    HYPER X
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    Gigabit
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Malwarebytes
What options have you tried?
This may help in working out a strategy
What size is your SSD?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    N/A
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600x
    Motherboard
    ASUS Crosshair Viii Hero Wi Fi
    Memory
    32 Gb DDR4 3600MHz GSkill
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia Geforce 950
    Sound Card
    USB Out NAD M51 DAC with Adams A8 powered speakers
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Black SSD SN770 1TB
    Samsung EVO SSD 970 1TB
    PSU
    Fractal Design 1000W
    Case
    CoolerMaster ATCS 840
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12S Chromax
    Keyboard
    Razer Huntsman V2
    Mouse
    Razer Viper Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    Starlink 94Mbps down 20Mbps up
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    ESET
Image secondary drive with Hasleo. Swap drives. Restore image to new drive. Afterwards, resize partition using disk management to include any unallocated space. You should not have to change anything else.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 2600.1742
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External +512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Many ways. I use FreeFileSync. Free and unrestricted.

As you’re only doing it once, either a mirror or two Way would do it.





There’s also an Update sync which should work, no video but the only difference would be is that you select Update as apposed to Mirror etc

IMG_4881.png

As glasskuter said, Hasleo is probably also a good option. I’ve only ever done a system backup but if the clone and file backup works just as well, could be easier to jump straight to it.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows Pro 23H2 Build 22631.4249
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
I hate to be the one that wants to keep it easy and simple. Have you tried the copy and paste method to transfer data from one drive to another? You don't need to use 3rd party software. That is unless the drive is causing you problems. If it is I'm not sure any 3rd party software can't be of any help.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I do have the data on the drive backed up to a cloud account through "iDrive."

I am looking for a basic guide on how to swap it out as seamlessly as possible
Pretty sure the OP is asking how to get his data from "iDrive" onto his new 3tb disk

I dont know what it is, I have never used it

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    pentium g5400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    1x8gb 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
If I restore the backup to the 3tb drive and rename it as the same location as the failing drive, will Windows be able to "map" or recognize the various directories and programs on the new drive?
Yes, it’s a s simple as placing the data on the new 3TB, removing the failing drive and changing the letter of the new drive to be as the old.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows Pro 23H2 Build 22631.4249
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Until the OP comes back to give some details it's all speculative i guess.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    N/A
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600x
    Motherboard
    ASUS Crosshair Viii Hero Wi Fi
    Memory
    32 Gb DDR4 3600MHz GSkill
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia Geforce 950
    Sound Card
    USB Out NAD M51 DAC with Adams A8 powered speakers
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Black SSD SN770 1TB
    Samsung EVO SSD 970 1TB
    PSU
    Fractal Design 1000W
    Case
    CoolerMaster ATCS 840
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12S Chromax
    Keyboard
    Razer Huntsman V2
    Mouse
    Razer Viper Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    Starlink 94Mbps down 20Mbps up
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    ESET
Seems pretty clear to me.

  • Has failing drive ex D:
  • Bought new drive ex E:
  • Wants to replicate D: to E:
  • If some kind of copy doesn't work (FreeFileSync will I’d bet) then there is a backup on the OP’s iDrive account
  • OP wants to know if they can get the files to the new drive E: can they simply remove D: change E: drive letter to D: without problems. Answer is Yes in my experience. I’ve done it many times, it’s just a data drive.
I could be wrong but that is how I read the post.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows Pro 23H2 Build 22631.4249
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
tallen2_34, reads like you moved your user folders to D.
Windows doesn't look for: ex “Documents” located on D: sectors ‘this number to that number” it just looks for D”\Documents\
The games should also be the same.
Windows wont look for: ex D:\Games\this game name\ on D: drive Segate model **** 2TB, it just looks for D:\Games\this game name\

So as long as you change the drive letter of the new drive to what the old drive was “D:” (after removing the old drive) then all should be sweet like chocolate.

EDIT: The only problem you may face, in my opinion, is if you’re copying files from the failing drive and file wont copy over.
If a game file isn’t copied over because the file was on a bad sector or is corrupted, the game most likely will be incomplete.

Reinstalling the game would fix this.
If your entire D: drive is uploaded to iDrive (an image of D: for example) you shouldn’t have this problem.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows Pro 23H2 Build 22631.4249
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Back
Top Bottom