Okay, I admit I hadn't heard of the ReclaiMe software so I checked it out. I thought it was purely a data recovery tool but, on further investigation, I see it includes a feature to create Disk Images. Is that what you used to copy the data, did you create a disk image?
NOTE: Among the many tutorials available on the ReclaiMe website I could not find a single guide on how to create or restore disk images.
If you did create a disk image, you should be able to restore the old Windows 11 OS from that disk image. HOEWEVER, a failed drive will more often than not include damaged sectors which, in turn, results in corrupted data, which means a damaged OS.
In my opinion, restoring that Disk Image is going to restore the damaged sectors (and damaged system files) and you'll end up in pretty much the same position. Better to start from scratch with a pristine fresh install.
That said, it's entirely up to you. You could try restoring the disk image (if that's what you created) and see what happens.
Jim Hillier said
Okay, I admit I hadn't heard of the ReclaiMe software so I checked it out. I thought it was purely a data recovery tool but, on further investigation, I see it includes a feature to create Disk Images. Is that what you used to copy the data, did you create a disk image? No DISK IMAGE, just did a data recovery which is the tree I shared above.NOTE: Among the many tutorials available on the ReclaiMe website I could not find a single guide on how to create or restore disk images. https://www.reclaime.com/library/how-to-create-disk-image.aspx
If you did create a disk image, you should be able to restore the old Windows 11 OS from that disk image. HOEWEVER, a failed drive will more often than not include damaged sectors which, in turn, results in corrupted data, which means a damaged OS.
In my opinion, restoring that Disk Image is going to restore the damaged sectors (and damaged system files) and you'll end up in pretty much the same position. Better to start from scratch with a pristine fresh install.
That said, it's entirely up to you. You could try restoring the disk image (if that's what you created) and see what happens. I just asked ReclaiMe which install method most likely to work. Should hear by Friday, AM EST and then I can flip a coin but there is a LOT less work for me if the IMAGE works!
May have asked before but where are you located?
If you didn't create a disk image all you've got is a copy of the data which, apart from the personal data, is useless to you.
I seriously doubt that ReclaiMe is a genuine/proper disk image backup software. That tutorial you linked to says to restore the image from within the RelcaiMe software. However, how are you supposed to run the installed ReclaiMe software when there is no working operating system? Short answer, you cannot.
System image backup software backs up all system partitions - including the boot partition, system (C) partition, and recovery partition - maintaining the exact same size of each partition and the exact same data within each partition.
Proper System image backup software also includes a feature to create bootable recovery media (bootable USB flash drive) which can then be used to restore saved images, even when the OS will not boot.
I am in Queensland Australia.
What is your first name? I feel rude not addressing you personally but I'd feel silly calling you WhiteBimmer. 🙂
Hey Frank,
"many if not all of the PROGRAMS & x86 contain the exe's for the software. Can these be used to reinstall in my CLEAN BOOT if the folder were copied to the new M.2 and launched from there?"
No. It would be nice if that was the case but you'll need to install all those programs again from scratch. When software is installed files are written to the Program Files folder but also to the Registry and other areas as well.
"now I need some guidance on how to install the Win11 OS onto the new M.2 SSD so it will boot internally".
Huh? You've lost me there. Where did you install Win11 to?
Jim Hillier said
Hey Frank,"many if not all of the PROGRAMS & x86 contain the exe's for the software. Can these be used to reinstall in my CLEAN BOOT if the folder were copied to the new M.2 and launched from there?"
No. It would be nice if that was the case but you'll need to install all those programs again from scratch. When software is installed files are written to the Program Files folder but also to the Registry and other areas as well.
"now I need some guidance on how to install the Win11 OS onto the new M.2 SSD so it will boot internally".
Huh? You've lost me there. Where did you install Win11 to?
That's too bad about everything needing a clean install
but now I understand about the REGISTRY.
I used the bootable USB thumbdrive to boot the computer. Don't I now need to "move" the OS to the M.2 SSD?
Hate the small icons in the system tray but did not find any way to make them larger. Tough on visually impaired!
"I used the bootable USB thumbdrive to boot the computer"
Okay, but once the USB flash drive booted and finished loading you should have been able to install the OS to the new M.2 drive.
As per my previous post, the first screen you should see once the USB installation media has loaded is where you choose a language, time and currency format, and keyboard input (all relevant to your country of residence)
Once you've made your selections and clicked Next you should then see an Install Now button that you click to start the installation process.
When the USB drive booted and finished loading what did you see?
I DID go through all the setup screens, e.g., language, keyboard, etc. but sorry, I do not remember seeing an option to INSTALL the OS?!
When I open File Explorer, I see the Local Disk (C:), Data (D:) and boot ESD-USB (E:) which does have the BOOT, EFI, SOURCES, ETC.
You should have removed the USB flash drive when the system restarted, as per my list of instructions in a previous post:
- At completion of the installation process the system will restart- at this point you can (should) remove the USB drive
- When the system reloads updates will be applied
- From there, it's just a matter of following the prompts
No matter, remove the USB flash drive now and restart the system. Windows 11 should now boot and load from the new M.2 drive.
- at this point you can (should) remove the USB drive
- Oops! Missed that
- When the system reloads updates will be applied
- but it did do updates.
System restarted with USB removed.
On to apps...
Thanks again sincerely for the tutelage and patience. Have a great week!
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