I've been using a desktop PC with Windows installed on a 1TB NVMe drive and two 2TB SATA drives. Recently, I installed Arch Linux on one of the SATA drives since I prefer it for my daily tasks. Now, I want to optimize my setup by moving Arch to the faster NVMe drive while also relocating the Windows installation to one of the SATA drives. Ideally, here's what I want to achieve:
- Drive 1: Arch (on the NVMe)
- Drive 2: Windows (possibly shrunk to 1TB)
- Drive 3: Mounted for mass storage (potentially holding the remaining partitions of Arch)
How can I do this without messing up either of the operating systems? My initial thought was to shrink Windows to fit on the 1TB NVMe first, then use `dd` to copy it from the NVMe to a SATA drive, then partition the NVMe for Arch, copy Arch over, wipe the SATA, and mount it for Linux. Would that work without issues for both OSes?
3 Answers
I tackled a similar setup yesterday! I switched from a smaller NVMe to a larger one. The easiest way is to use dedicated software like Minitool to clone your drives. I pulled both drives into enclosures, then used a dedicated NVMe cloner, though it’s not strictly necessary. After that, I used Minitool to adjust my partitions as needed.
First, definitely make backups of your important files. Instead of using `dd`, consider tools like Clonezilla or Macrium Reflect to move Windows. You should also disconnect any non-target drives while you're working. Start by shrinking your Windows installation on the NVMe to fit Arch. After that, clone Windows over to a SATA drive. Boot into Windows from the SATA and make sure everything works before proceeding. Once you confirm it’s running smoothly, you can format the NVMe and move Arch there.
I suggest being extremely careful! You’ll want to keep a backup before you begin. When moving Windows, avoid `dd`; tools like GParted or Macrium Reflect are safer. Disconnect any drives that aren’t involved in the migration. After that, make sure you get your Windows running on the SATA drive. From there, you can move Arch over to the NVMe, ensuring everything is functioning well on both operating systems before reformating anything. Always double-check your work!
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