Can't get new SSD to take clone/image

I've got a working but old PC I want to give away to a family member. Before I do I want to swap out the SSD for a new SSD. The new SSD is the exact same brand and capacity of the old one, and the old one works. The reason I'm swapping it out is because I want 100% peace of mind that old data can't be recovered with "undelete" software. I know there's software available to shred or make old deleted data inaccessible, but I don't trust it and would rather have the peace of mind of just getting a new SSD.

Anyway, I've tried using Imaging software to simply restore the OS partition (and associated partitions) to the new SSD, but it still won't boot. I've also used Imaging software to clone directly form the old SSD to the new SSD (by hooking both SSD drives up to a different computer). Even though it won't boot and gives me efi errors, I can fresh install windows onto the new SSD and it will work so I'm assuming the SSD isn't faulty.

When I originally formatted the new SSD and tried restore the old image to it, I set up the SSD for GPT format, matching the old SSD. After than, when I installed Windows 8.1 from DVD to test if the SSD was faulty, I noticed that it defaulted to MBR.

Using this fix...

I tried to boot from Windows DVD and start diskpart to reset to GPT and then install windows 8.1. I got an error when I tried to convert it it GPT, then ran rescan, but never really got it to work. My hope was to designate the SSD to GPT, then continue on with the fresh install. And the only reason I wanted to fresh install was in hopes of repairing whatever might be wrong with the new SSD format. And if that worked, then I'd try installing from image again. Maybe that's dumb. I'm just out of ideas at this point.

I'm certain it's possible to clone or restore an image from an old ssd to a new one and have it boot properly as I've done it before. Either I've made some mistake along the way this time or else the SSD is just faulty.

The other issue, other than GPT vs. MBR, is just the way in which WIn 8,10,11 do partitions differently. This old PC was originally Win 8.1 (full home version key purchased) which I then upgraded to Win 10. Partitions are different sizes and in different order for win 8, 10, 11 or at least it looks that way in my experience, so that's one more complication and another reason why simply installing windows from scratch on this new drive would be a huge hassle for me.

Well, this is a complicated mess, but if anyone has advice or suggestions to try, let me know.

Thanks!

When you Clone a drive, it copies all of the Users personal files. If deleted, it will still be able to restore them if using a data recovery software.
If you want to gift the computer, then do a Clean Install Of Windows. If the computer previously had Windows, the product key will be saved in the Bios. So no need to type one in.

Boot off if a Windows installer Flash Drive. Choose Language, and hold the Shift key + F10 to start the Command Prompt.
Type Diskpart and press Enter. Convert internal disk to GPT.
Restart booting back into the Windows Installer Flash Drive. Choose your Language, Install Now; then Custom Install.
In Where Do You Want To Install Windows? Delete All Partitions until the drive is all Unallocated Space
Then Press Next. Windows will create Partitions and Format them during the install.
In the installer, when it asks to connect to a Network and choose who is going to use the computer, Shut down and give the computer to the new user.
When they turn it on, it will start the setup where it left off. And the new user can choose their network and login with their Microsoft Account.

I don’t get why a family member would try to “recover/undelete” your old files, and the chances that they would know how to with any available software would be slim. Most programs are either unsuccessful or if successful just create an unreadable mess. Alternatively they could take it to a data specialist but once they got the quote, unless you have some pretty decent secrets, would probably run away from the quote given.
Everything you do makes it all the more complicated to retrieve old files. Even installing the new OS after running Diskpart would be more than enough. And you have programs like CCleaner that had the ability to securely delete files from a drive by repeatedly writing over it.

I know there's software available to shred or make old deleted data inaccessible, but I don't trust it and would rather have the peace of mind of just getting a new SSD.

Click to expand...

The way to do it properly on an ssd

there is various software that can issue the command to the ssd controller. If your ssd manufacturer doesnt provide it, the solidigm software says it will work for all brands

Why not fresh install from a USB ISO?

When I originally formatted the new SSD and tried restore the old image to it, I set up the SSD for GPT format, matching the old SSD. After than, when I installed Windows 8.1 from DVD to test if the SSD was faulty, I noticed that it defaulted to MBR...

The other issue, other than GPT vs. MBR, is just the way in which WIn 8,10,11 do partitions differently. This old PC was originally Win 8.1 (full home version key purchased) which I then upgraded to Win 10. Partitions are different sizes and in different order

Click to expand...

If you post a screenshot of disk management showing both the source and target disks, we may be able to advise.