How to reinstall Windows and configure for X131e (3368)

[the_servicer]

First, I apologize for asking a basic question that undoubtedly was answered elsewhere.

I recently acquired a ThinkPad X131e that was still new in factory packaging. The OS is Windows 7 (to be clear, not a licensed downgrade). I am tempted to replace storage with an SSD. However I am concerned about the effort required to obtain an image of Windows 7 and then "tune" the OS to make it work well with the hardware. Does Lenovo make this reasonably easy? The computer is out of warranty. No discs were included. The model is 33681F1.

[RealBlackStuff]

Acronis True Image should be able to take the image from the HDD and properly restore it onto an SSD.

[Puppy]

Yes, Acronis True Image bootable CD works well. Use the SSD vendor specific software (like Intel SSD Toolbox and so on) to "tune" the OS. Note the Acronis is not able to resize existing partition (at least my old version) but you can use Disk Management in Windows. My upgrade procedure from old 320 GB HDD to new 480 GB Intel 535 SSD on X220 was:

1. remove HDD ATA password in BIOS
2. backup HDD image to external USB HDD, using Acronis Bootable CD
3. replace the HDD with SSD
4. restore backup from external USB HDD to SSD, using Acronis Bootable CD
5. resize restored partition by Disk Management tool in Windows
6. run chkdsk /f to check everything is ok
7. install Intel SSD Toolbox and perform SSD optimizations
8. set HDD (actually SSD) ATA password in BIOS

[MikalE]

Most SSD manufacturers include cloning software to get your new drive and OS up and running. It ain't rocket science and should be a relatively painless process.

[the_servicer]

Is this really a better method than using a fresh install? Does Lenovo make it hard to obtain recovery media?

[RealBlackStuff]

Acronis should take no more than maybe 1/2 hour.
Lenovo will take you many hours plus swapping one CD after another. No thanks.

[jronald]

When I picked mine up, I used the SLIC 2.1 method, and with the attending 178 updates, it took a little over 18 hours.

Under an hour to load 7
Under an hour to find the updates
At least 16 hours to download and update the system.

Ron