Cloning old HDD w Windows 7

I recently cloned the HDD in one of my laptop computers to a Samsung 870 EVO SSD then installed the new drive and it is working fine.  The OS was Windows 10.

My desktop HDD has Windows 7, an older version at that, with many years of critical data.  I am long past the free upgrade period and have not been able to figure out how to install Windows 10.  Also, I do like this Windows 7 a lot and would prefer to keep it. 

I would like to put in a newer SSD here as well, mostly to avoid possible failure and obtain better speed.  I would be OK with then installing Windows 10, if that can be done safely.

My hesitation is this:  the Samsung Magician Software states under system requirements:  Operating System Windows 10 or higher.

OTOH, the Samsung 870 EVO SSD hardware site says: Compatibility Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/Windows Server 2003 (32 bit and 64 bit), Vista (SP1 and above), XP (SP2 and above), MAC OSX and Linux

Wondering what to do.  Not sure what problems could occur.  Worst case would be ending up with an HDD that would no longer work.  Next worst would be ending up with an SSD that works but has lost data that could not be restored from a backup.

If I use this SSD would there be other cloning software that would work for Windows 7 and still create an SSD that would preserve this OS and work in the desktop computer?

Also, if I did the clone, could I test it by installing in another computer and see how it worked, before installing it in my desktop?  Would that not work because the test installation would create system files or make other changes so the SSD would not work in the desktop?

TIA

[NOTE:  the OS is Windows 7 Professional version 6.1 (Build 7601:  Service Pack 1).   I am open to buying Windows 10 but would like to keep this desktop.  It is very functional in every way, and the new stuff looks cheaply made and offers no improvement at all that I can discern.]

Edited by !@@**##, 12 July 2024 - 12:27 PM.

Marcrium Reflect, one of the standards of the industry, has a 30 day free trial. You can use it to create a bare metal image of your drive, including a Windows PE virtual recovery drive setup for a thumb drive (or DVD drive, I would assume). In addition, all data is directly accessible from the image for individual file recovery. I have used it for years with not one failure.

By the way, just being picky on my part: Cloning and Imaging are two entirely different types. Cloning is used to transfer one OS to a different drive on a one-shot basis. Imaging is for the creation of a permanent file that can be stored on an external drive and accessed in case of system corruption/virus infection. Much more efficient and safe.

Windows 7...good OS, no doubt about it. As long as you don't go out on the internet with it, you are safe. But as hackers get more sophisticated the danger grows proportionately that you will be victimized with an outdated OS, especially ransomware. Once your files are encrypted, you are without recourse since the majority of encryptions are un-fixable. IMHO you are better off going to Windows 11, as ten is already given the death-sentence. You will find that W11 is easy to navigate, very similar to W7 with a lot more options.

NOTE: W11 will require a TPM module on your mainboard, it won't load without one. So...check if you have a mounting for it, I doubt that your laptop has TPM.

 

Wondering what to do.  Not sure what problems could occur...ending up with an HDD that would no longer work...I am open to buying Windows 10 but would like to keep this desktop.

No question, problems will occur the older the version you use. Your HDD will always work mechanically, but the OS you use on it is going to be increasingly "glitchy", especially running modern software.

 

If I use this SSD would there be other cloning software that would work for Windows 7 and still create an SSD that would preserve this OS and work in the desktop computer?

Yes there are several, best to read their system requirements before implementing. Others in this forum can suggest names, I have only used MReflect.

 

Also, if I did the clone, could I test it by installing in another computer and see how it worked, before installing it in my desktop?

Iffy...probably yes, possibly no. Remember that the mainboard/chipset & video drivers for the imaged system are going to be different. Chancy, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

.................................. the Samsung Magician Software states under system requirements:  Operating System Windows 10 or higher
 

The good news is that Samsung Magician is incredibly easy to use. The bad news is that for Windows 7, you'll need version 7.3, but it doesn't appear to be available from Samsung any more. It's best not to risk getting it from unofficial sources so give Ranch Hand's recommendation a try.

 

Windows 7...good OS, no doubt about it. As long as you don't go out on the internet with it, you are safe. But as hackers get more sophisticated the danger grows proportionately that you will be victimized with an outdated OS, especially ransomware. Once your files are encrypted, you are without recourse since the majority of encryptions are un-fixable.

Windows 10 is much more secure than 7 in this regard?  Even if running Microsoft Security Essentials with realtime protection on 7?

Would this also apply to thieves getting into bank and credit accounts?

Windows 11 more secure than 10 or just that 10 is on its way out?

Edited by !@@**##, 14 July 2024 - 12:17 PM.

Yes, W10 is light-years ahead of W7. Windows 11 is ahead of W10. It is not going to stop because technology advances. There are malware out there that did not exist in the time of W7 and are far more powerful and sophisticated, far beyond W7 to protect you.

All the antivirus programs in the world cannot adequately protect an old, antiquated OS. Remember that there are also governments of foreign countries that make money by attacking unsuspecting American users in order to steal money for government use. The usual suspects are China, various mid-eastern countries and N. Korea. There are brilliant, educated techies that spend their work day searching for old, unpatched OSs to attack.

If you doubt me, take a few minutes every day this week to peruse our Virus and Malware Removal forum, the busiest forum on this website. Also check out the Ransomware forum. They are busy because people do not want to bother with updating, patching their systems, not downloading unknown files and practicing safe web surfing. AND...one of the biggest protections you can have:  making regularly scheduled image backups of their OS. The don't want to bother and pay the price. They all get harpooned eventually, every time.

I have had friends and neighbors come to me with hopelessly infected systems and ransomware, and all I can do is wipe their drive and reinstall Windows. They lose everything, and must now freeze all CCards, notify their banks, etc. What a headache.

Edited by ranchhand_, 14 July 2024 - 05:40 PM.