Cloning back Ubuntu partition after Windows 10 fresh install











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I've had a 240 GB SSD for a while and just got a blank 1 TB HDD. I'm dual booting Ubuntu and Windows 7 Pro (on the SSD). I want to upgrade to W10 while keeping Ubuntu, so I moved all my documents/files from W7 to Ubuntu and I'm ready to dispose of everthing on the Windows 7 partition. All programs I have can simply be redownloaded.



My plan is to clone the Ubuntu partition from the SSD to the HDD, format the SSD completely, do a Windows 10 Education fresh install on the SSD, partition the SSD and clone the Ubuntu partition from the HDD back to the SSD. Sorry if I'm being too redundant but just wanted make sure everything is clear. Is this the right way to go?



Or is there an easier/smarter way? My system boots in UEFI mode and I had some trouble installing Ubuntu which eventually overcame (Ubuntu installer wouldn't detect Windowss 7). I have no idea how I should format the SSD for the fresh install (I think I read NTFS is better) and if there's any special instruction considering I intend to keep UEFI as boot mode, or if I should keep one of those obscure partitions (MBR, EFI System Partition) or if they are automatically created by the W10 installation.



I also considered doing a W10 fresh install and then reinstall Ubuntu, but I'd like to avoid the hassle of setting up my programs and such again, unless the cloning process is harder or there's any reason to avoid it. I should mention I've never used such disk cloning software, and that the reason I'm not just installing W10 the way I installed Ubuntu is because I couldn't find enough information to even know if the Media Creation Tool will ask me if I want to install W10 alongside Ubuntu, and got kind of scared about fiddling with GRUB after installation.










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  • Cloning isn't necessarily harder but it's time consuming. It'll be much faster to reinstall and much less things can go wrong. But yes, definitely use UEFI mode for both.
    – GabrielaGarcia
    yesterday










  • @GabrielaGarcia Thank you for answering, I think I'll do that. I've never installed an OS from scratch and I think I might not have thought all trough. Let me know if this would be correct: I move all my documents/files to the HDD, attach the SSD only and boot the W10 installer from USB, from there I delete all partitions in the SSD (including EFI system partition), format it as NTFS and proceed with the installation. When do I setup UEFI as boot mode? I believe the 'boot from USB' option shows up under 'Legacy', is that a problem?
    – NateHZ
    12 hours ago










  • You can blank the whole drive but you can keep the EFI partition (Windows installer will create it again anyway). Better not create other partitions, just leave the rest as unallocated. The installer will create all the other partitions. Later you can shrink the big one if needed. About UEFI boot yes, you must boot in UEFI mode so better to set "UEFI only" or disable CSM/Legacy (depends on the UEFI firmware menus). Make sure the USB has been done correctly (recommended: the official Media Creator tool form Microsoft / any tool mentioned in Ubuntu downloads or MKUSB or Multisystem, etc.).
    – GabrielaGarcia
    12 hours ago












  • Also make sure the drive is GPT because Windows won't install in UEFI mode in a MBR. From an Ubuntu live session you can use GParted to create a new partition table as GPT but only when you're absolutely sure the backups have been done and it's time to nuke the old installs, this will clear all partitions.
    – GabrielaGarcia
    12 hours ago












  • @GabrielaGarcia That's really helpful. Thank you again.
    – NateHZ
    10 hours ago















up vote
0
down vote

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I've had a 240 GB SSD for a while and just got a blank 1 TB HDD. I'm dual booting Ubuntu and Windows 7 Pro (on the SSD). I want to upgrade to W10 while keeping Ubuntu, so I moved all my documents/files from W7 to Ubuntu and I'm ready to dispose of everthing on the Windows 7 partition. All programs I have can simply be redownloaded.



My plan is to clone the Ubuntu partition from the SSD to the HDD, format the SSD completely, do a Windows 10 Education fresh install on the SSD, partition the SSD and clone the Ubuntu partition from the HDD back to the SSD. Sorry if I'm being too redundant but just wanted make sure everything is clear. Is this the right way to go?



Or is there an easier/smarter way? My system boots in UEFI mode and I had some trouble installing Ubuntu which eventually overcame (Ubuntu installer wouldn't detect Windowss 7). I have no idea how I should format the SSD for the fresh install (I think I read NTFS is better) and if there's any special instruction considering I intend to keep UEFI as boot mode, or if I should keep one of those obscure partitions (MBR, EFI System Partition) or if they are automatically created by the W10 installation.



I also considered doing a W10 fresh install and then reinstall Ubuntu, but I'd like to avoid the hassle of setting up my programs and such again, unless the cloning process is harder or there's any reason to avoid it. I should mention I've never used such disk cloning software, and that the reason I'm not just installing W10 the way I installed Ubuntu is because I couldn't find enough information to even know if the Media Creation Tool will ask me if I want to install W10 alongside Ubuntu, and got kind of scared about fiddling with GRUB after installation.










share|improve this question







New contributor




NateHZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • Cloning isn't necessarily harder but it's time consuming. It'll be much faster to reinstall and much less things can go wrong. But yes, definitely use UEFI mode for both.
    – GabrielaGarcia
    yesterday










  • @GabrielaGarcia Thank you for answering, I think I'll do that. I've never installed an OS from scratch and I think I might not have thought all trough. Let me know if this would be correct: I move all my documents/files to the HDD, attach the SSD only and boot the W10 installer from USB, from there I delete all partitions in the SSD (including EFI system partition), format it as NTFS and proceed with the installation. When do I setup UEFI as boot mode? I believe the 'boot from USB' option shows up under 'Legacy', is that a problem?
    – NateHZ
    12 hours ago










  • You can blank the whole drive but you can keep the EFI partition (Windows installer will create it again anyway). Better not create other partitions, just leave the rest as unallocated. The installer will create all the other partitions. Later you can shrink the big one if needed. About UEFI boot yes, you must boot in UEFI mode so better to set "UEFI only" or disable CSM/Legacy (depends on the UEFI firmware menus). Make sure the USB has been done correctly (recommended: the official Media Creator tool form Microsoft / any tool mentioned in Ubuntu downloads or MKUSB or Multisystem, etc.).
    – GabrielaGarcia
    12 hours ago












  • Also make sure the drive is GPT because Windows won't install in UEFI mode in a MBR. From an Ubuntu live session you can use GParted to create a new partition table as GPT but only when you're absolutely sure the backups have been done and it's time to nuke the old installs, this will clear all partitions.
    – GabrielaGarcia
    12 hours ago












  • @GabrielaGarcia That's really helpful. Thank you again.
    – NateHZ
    10 hours ago













up vote
0
down vote

favorite









up vote
0
down vote

favorite











I've had a 240 GB SSD for a while and just got a blank 1 TB HDD. I'm dual booting Ubuntu and Windows 7 Pro (on the SSD). I want to upgrade to W10 while keeping Ubuntu, so I moved all my documents/files from W7 to Ubuntu and I'm ready to dispose of everthing on the Windows 7 partition. All programs I have can simply be redownloaded.



My plan is to clone the Ubuntu partition from the SSD to the HDD, format the SSD completely, do a Windows 10 Education fresh install on the SSD, partition the SSD and clone the Ubuntu partition from the HDD back to the SSD. Sorry if I'm being too redundant but just wanted make sure everything is clear. Is this the right way to go?



Or is there an easier/smarter way? My system boots in UEFI mode and I had some trouble installing Ubuntu which eventually overcame (Ubuntu installer wouldn't detect Windowss 7). I have no idea how I should format the SSD for the fresh install (I think I read NTFS is better) and if there's any special instruction considering I intend to keep UEFI as boot mode, or if I should keep one of those obscure partitions (MBR, EFI System Partition) or if they are automatically created by the W10 installation.



I also considered doing a W10 fresh install and then reinstall Ubuntu, but I'd like to avoid the hassle of setting up my programs and such again, unless the cloning process is harder or there's any reason to avoid it. I should mention I've never used such disk cloning software, and that the reason I'm not just installing W10 the way I installed Ubuntu is because I couldn't find enough information to even know if the Media Creation Tool will ask me if I want to install W10 alongside Ubuntu, and got kind of scared about fiddling with GRUB after installation.










share|improve this question







New contributor




NateHZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I've had a 240 GB SSD for a while and just got a blank 1 TB HDD. I'm dual booting Ubuntu and Windows 7 Pro (on the SSD). I want to upgrade to W10 while keeping Ubuntu, so I moved all my documents/files from W7 to Ubuntu and I'm ready to dispose of everthing on the Windows 7 partition. All programs I have can simply be redownloaded.



My plan is to clone the Ubuntu partition from the SSD to the HDD, format the SSD completely, do a Windows 10 Education fresh install on the SSD, partition the SSD and clone the Ubuntu partition from the HDD back to the SSD. Sorry if I'm being too redundant but just wanted make sure everything is clear. Is this the right way to go?



Or is there an easier/smarter way? My system boots in UEFI mode and I had some trouble installing Ubuntu which eventually overcame (Ubuntu installer wouldn't detect Windowss 7). I have no idea how I should format the SSD for the fresh install (I think I read NTFS is better) and if there's any special instruction considering I intend to keep UEFI as boot mode, or if I should keep one of those obscure partitions (MBR, EFI System Partition) or if they are automatically created by the W10 installation.



I also considered doing a W10 fresh install and then reinstall Ubuntu, but I'd like to avoid the hassle of setting up my programs and such again, unless the cloning process is harder or there's any reason to avoid it. I should mention I've never used such disk cloning software, and that the reason I'm not just installing W10 the way I installed Ubuntu is because I couldn't find enough information to even know if the Media Creation Tool will ask me if I want to install W10 alongside Ubuntu, and got kind of scared about fiddling with GRUB after installation.







windows-7 ubuntu multi-boot uefi windows-10-upgrade






share|improve this question







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NateHZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







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Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




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Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked yesterday









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New contributor





NateHZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






NateHZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • Cloning isn't necessarily harder but it's time consuming. It'll be much faster to reinstall and much less things can go wrong. But yes, definitely use UEFI mode for both.
    – GabrielaGarcia
    yesterday










  • @GabrielaGarcia Thank you for answering, I think I'll do that. I've never installed an OS from scratch and I think I might not have thought all trough. Let me know if this would be correct: I move all my documents/files to the HDD, attach the SSD only and boot the W10 installer from USB, from there I delete all partitions in the SSD (including EFI system partition), format it as NTFS and proceed with the installation. When do I setup UEFI as boot mode? I believe the 'boot from USB' option shows up under 'Legacy', is that a problem?
    – NateHZ
    12 hours ago










  • You can blank the whole drive but you can keep the EFI partition (Windows installer will create it again anyway). Better not create other partitions, just leave the rest as unallocated. The installer will create all the other partitions. Later you can shrink the big one if needed. About UEFI boot yes, you must boot in UEFI mode so better to set "UEFI only" or disable CSM/Legacy (depends on the UEFI firmware menus). Make sure the USB has been done correctly (recommended: the official Media Creator tool form Microsoft / any tool mentioned in Ubuntu downloads or MKUSB or Multisystem, etc.).
    – GabrielaGarcia
    12 hours ago












  • Also make sure the drive is GPT because Windows won't install in UEFI mode in a MBR. From an Ubuntu live session you can use GParted to create a new partition table as GPT but only when you're absolutely sure the backups have been done and it's time to nuke the old installs, this will clear all partitions.
    – GabrielaGarcia
    12 hours ago












  • @GabrielaGarcia That's really helpful. Thank you again.
    – NateHZ
    10 hours ago


















  • Cloning isn't necessarily harder but it's time consuming. It'll be much faster to reinstall and much less things can go wrong. But yes, definitely use UEFI mode for both.
    – GabrielaGarcia
    yesterday










  • @GabrielaGarcia Thank you for answering, I think I'll do that. I've never installed an OS from scratch and I think I might not have thought all trough. Let me know if this would be correct: I move all my documents/files to the HDD, attach the SSD only and boot the W10 installer from USB, from there I delete all partitions in the SSD (including EFI system partition), format it as NTFS and proceed with the installation. When do I setup UEFI as boot mode? I believe the 'boot from USB' option shows up under 'Legacy', is that a problem?
    – NateHZ
    12 hours ago










  • You can blank the whole drive but you can keep the EFI partition (Windows installer will create it again anyway). Better not create other partitions, just leave the rest as unallocated. The installer will create all the other partitions. Later you can shrink the big one if needed. About UEFI boot yes, you must boot in UEFI mode so better to set "UEFI only" or disable CSM/Legacy (depends on the UEFI firmware menus). Make sure the USB has been done correctly (recommended: the official Media Creator tool form Microsoft / any tool mentioned in Ubuntu downloads or MKUSB or Multisystem, etc.).
    – GabrielaGarcia
    12 hours ago












  • Also make sure the drive is GPT because Windows won't install in UEFI mode in a MBR. From an Ubuntu live session you can use GParted to create a new partition table as GPT but only when you're absolutely sure the backups have been done and it's time to nuke the old installs, this will clear all partitions.
    – GabrielaGarcia
    12 hours ago












  • @GabrielaGarcia That's really helpful. Thank you again.
    – NateHZ
    10 hours ago
















Cloning isn't necessarily harder but it's time consuming. It'll be much faster to reinstall and much less things can go wrong. But yes, definitely use UEFI mode for both.
– GabrielaGarcia
yesterday




Cloning isn't necessarily harder but it's time consuming. It'll be much faster to reinstall and much less things can go wrong. But yes, definitely use UEFI mode for both.
– GabrielaGarcia
yesterday












@GabrielaGarcia Thank you for answering, I think I'll do that. I've never installed an OS from scratch and I think I might not have thought all trough. Let me know if this would be correct: I move all my documents/files to the HDD, attach the SSD only and boot the W10 installer from USB, from there I delete all partitions in the SSD (including EFI system partition), format it as NTFS and proceed with the installation. When do I setup UEFI as boot mode? I believe the 'boot from USB' option shows up under 'Legacy', is that a problem?
– NateHZ
12 hours ago




@GabrielaGarcia Thank you for answering, I think I'll do that. I've never installed an OS from scratch and I think I might not have thought all trough. Let me know if this would be correct: I move all my documents/files to the HDD, attach the SSD only and boot the W10 installer from USB, from there I delete all partitions in the SSD (including EFI system partition), format it as NTFS and proceed with the installation. When do I setup UEFI as boot mode? I believe the 'boot from USB' option shows up under 'Legacy', is that a problem?
– NateHZ
12 hours ago












You can blank the whole drive but you can keep the EFI partition (Windows installer will create it again anyway). Better not create other partitions, just leave the rest as unallocated. The installer will create all the other partitions. Later you can shrink the big one if needed. About UEFI boot yes, you must boot in UEFI mode so better to set "UEFI only" or disable CSM/Legacy (depends on the UEFI firmware menus). Make sure the USB has been done correctly (recommended: the official Media Creator tool form Microsoft / any tool mentioned in Ubuntu downloads or MKUSB or Multisystem, etc.).
– GabrielaGarcia
12 hours ago






You can blank the whole drive but you can keep the EFI partition (Windows installer will create it again anyway). Better not create other partitions, just leave the rest as unallocated. The installer will create all the other partitions. Later you can shrink the big one if needed. About UEFI boot yes, you must boot in UEFI mode so better to set "UEFI only" or disable CSM/Legacy (depends on the UEFI firmware menus). Make sure the USB has been done correctly (recommended: the official Media Creator tool form Microsoft / any tool mentioned in Ubuntu downloads or MKUSB or Multisystem, etc.).
– GabrielaGarcia
12 hours ago














Also make sure the drive is GPT because Windows won't install in UEFI mode in a MBR. From an Ubuntu live session you can use GParted to create a new partition table as GPT but only when you're absolutely sure the backups have been done and it's time to nuke the old installs, this will clear all partitions.
– GabrielaGarcia
12 hours ago






Also make sure the drive is GPT because Windows won't install in UEFI mode in a MBR. From an Ubuntu live session you can use GParted to create a new partition table as GPT but only when you're absolutely sure the backups have been done and it's time to nuke the old installs, this will clear all partitions.
– GabrielaGarcia
12 hours ago














@GabrielaGarcia That's really helpful. Thank you again.
– NateHZ
10 hours ago




@GabrielaGarcia That's really helpful. Thank you again.
– NateHZ
10 hours ago















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