My nuc has only a 32 g ssd, how can I move windows 10 to the hdd that I've installed?

[AlHill]

Is the 32gb ssd removable?

If so, I would use a tool, like macrium reflect, to create an image to some temporary,, external drive. This assumes you also have prepared a recover usb stick with macrium on it.

Then, remove the ssd.

Next, booting the recover usb stick, restore the image on the temporary external drive to your HDD.

Why not just clone directly from the ssd to the hdd? If you were to do that, both drives would have the same signature, and both cannot be present at the same time.

Ok, so you want your 32gb ssd back. If you have another device that can accommodate the ssd, plug it in and boot the device (not the 32gb ssd). Then, using diskpart, select the 32gb ssd, and "clean".

Be careful here - if you do not select the proper drive, you will be very disappointed.

Now, remove the clean 32gb ssd, and reinstall in your nuc.

Doc

[ACole8]

Thank you... I tried cloning directly but, somehow the boot sector didn't work on the HDD and trying to restore it via bootrec didn't help as I was denied access to fixboot..I have macrium so, maybe, I'll try your other suggestions. Thanks again.

🙂

[LeonWaksman]

Hello @ACole8​ ,

1. You may consider an other solution. Instead to moving/reinstalling Windows to HDD you have installed, leave the Windows on the original SSD and move only your data and new installed programs to the HDD. The new location place can be chosen in Windows Settings > System > Storage and then press Change where new content is saved on the R.H. panel. You can move also existing Data by changing location of the relevant folders. Taking this approach, you will have still your NUC booting from SSD while the Data will be stored on HDD (drive D:).
2. I want also to warn you that cloning UEFI partition to other location, may be problematic, since it is connected to physical location on the board (connector). Trying simple clone solution will leave you with an unbootable system. If you will decide to do this, I suggest that first clone only the C: partition to an external drive and disable your 32GB SSD in bios. Now, install clean Windows 10 installation on your new HDD. The Windows should reactivate automatically. Next clone only the C: partition from external drive to the new C: drive.

Leon

[ACole8]

Thank you, Leon...I've already directed all new apps and info to the HDD..My problem is that Windows 10 sucks up so much space that I'm not certain that the 32g is adequate to accept Win10 updates.

Ani

[LeonWaksman]

Hi Ani,

Do not worry about Windows updates. The Windows will use your HDD when space will be required for update. Installing your Windows on HDD will slower your computer.

Leon

[ACole8]

Oh really?...Very cool, then I have one less thing to worry about. Thank you, Leon.

[LeonWaksman]

One thing more. In addition to use the HDD space for Windows update, also an external drive may be choosen : https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install-winpc/how-to-upgrade-to-the-latest-windows-10-feature/d7cdba8b-c59b-4a23-86e2-6635a7e44489

Leon

[ACole8]

Thank you, I don't think that those options appeared when I did the installation, but, it's good to know should I need that info in the future.

[JHoff6]

It was a while ago, but here's how I did it: https://techsterweb.com/2016/05/18/migrating-an-emmc-drive-to-an-ssd/

[ACole8]

Thank you. I think that (at least for now), I've resolved my issue. In Windows 10 it's really very easy to move data around...so, I moved everything that I could off of "C" and onto "d"..this freed up sufficient space. I then went into system management and directed all downloads, pictures, etc. to be stored on D. I think that this will work for a while..thanks everyone for the help, it's appreciated.