[anionic]

Is NTFS downsizing (HDClone Basic or above) *always* possible if the used space (on the old disk's only partition) fits comfortably within the new smaller drive? I use pagedefrag and XP built-in defrag, which shows (in the graphics) no used clusters in the last 75% of the drive, but could anything prevent downsizing nevertheless? I am considering cloning a 75% free 1TB XP system partition to a 500GB hybrid disk (Seagate Momentous XT). If there's a chance that downsizing won't work, I'll just buy a replacement 1TB drive and clone to that.

[Thomas]

If the target has enough space, downsizing is possible.

In NTFS almost any file system information can be relocated. The only exception is the special file $Boot. That file must always be located at the beginning of a disk.

When HDClone downsizes a file system it automatically defragments files that use clusters that would be placed after the end of the target disk. As long as the target disk has enough free space, all data from the source will be copied.

[anionic]

Many thanks for the detailed reassurance: I have ordered HDClone Basic and the SSD/HDD drive, and look forward to swapping it in some time next week. Cheers!