Windows SSD Cloning Preflight and Verification Checklist ======================================================== Use Complete, Not complete, Not applicable, or Needs review for each item. 1. Hardware and compatibility ----------------------------- 1. Record the current drive model, interface, capacity, partition style, and used space. Status: __________________ 2. Confirm the replacement SSD interface and physical size fit the computer. Status: __________________ 3. Confirm the destination capacity is large enough for all source partitions and used data. Status: __________________ 4. Prepare the correct enclosure, adapter, cable, or second internal slot. Status: __________________ 5. Confirm the computer can boot in the same firmware mode used by the existing installation. Status: __________________ 2. Protect the source before cloning ------------------------------------ 1. Create a separate backup of irreplaceable files that does not depend on the clone succeeding. Status: __________________ 2. Save the BitLocker recovery key and record whether each relevant volume is encrypted. Status: __________________ 3. Check drive health and investigate warnings, unusual noises, read errors, or repeated freezes. Status: __________________ 4. Finish pending Windows updates and restart before cloning. Status: __________________ 5. Close programs, pause sync tools, and avoid editing files during the clone. Status: __________________ 3. Identify source and destination ---------------------------------- 1. Record the source disk model, serial number when available, and capacity. Status: __________________ 2. Record the destination disk model, serial number when available, and capacity. Status: __________________ 3. Confirm the destination contains no needed data or has been backed up. Status: __________________ 4. Review the clone summary before starting and confirm the direction is source to destination. Status: __________________ 5. Do not rely on drive letters alone because they can change outside normal Windows startup. Status: __________________ 4. Clone settings ----------------- 1. Choose disk clone or system clone based on the goal and software capabilities. Status: __________________ 2. Include every required system, recovery, EFI, and Windows partition. Status: __________________ 3. Use SSD alignment or equivalent optimization when the software provides it. Status: __________________ 4. Decide whether partitions should retain size or expand to use additional capacity. Status: __________________ 5. Record the software version and settings used so the job can be reproduced. Status: __________________ 5. First boot from the replacement ---------------------------------- 1. Shut down fully after the clone completes. Status: __________________ 2. For the first test, disconnect the original drive when practical to prove the new SSD can boot independently. Status: __________________ 3. Confirm firmware boot order or choose the replacement drive explicitly. Status: __________________ 4. Record any recovery screen, BitLocker prompt, boot error, or automatic repair message exactly. Status: __________________ 5. Do not initialize, format, or erase the original drive during troubleshooting. Status: __________________ 6. Verify the new installation ------------------------------ 1. Confirm Windows starts without depending on the original drive. Status: __________________ 2. Confirm the expected Windows edition, user profile, applications, and important settings are present. Status: __________________ 3. Open representative files from each important data location. Status: __________________ 4. Verify the replacement drive model and expected partition sizes in Disk Management or an equivalent tool. Status: __________________ 5. Restart at least twice and test shutdown, sleep, network access, and normal application launches. Status: __________________ 6. Run a new backup from the replacement drive. Status: __________________ 7. Retain the original until confidence is established ------------------------------------------------------ 1. Keep the original drive unchanged for a defined observation period. Status: __________________ 2. Record the date the new SSD entered normal use. Status: __________________ 3. Confirm no files, licenses, recovery partitions, or application data are missing. Status: __________________ 4. Only after verification, decide whether the original will be retained as a fallback, securely erased, or repurposed. Status: __________________ 5. Document the final disposition of the original drive. Status: __________________