What's the best way to do this from the existing HDD?

Copy to USB then boot up after installing new drive?
Anyone recommend a good tool?

 

I use clonezilla for disk and partition cloning/backing up clean installs etc.

 

normally stuph like that I'll use a second PC to clone the disk image from the old drive to the new SSD drive - then just plug the SSD into the PC and boof job done.

If you don't have a second PC about, you can boot from a clonezilla live CD/usb:
http://clonezilla.org/clonezilla-live.php

You'll need the SSD and the original drive both attached then and just clone one onto the other.

 

Just the actual recovery partition I'm after, which I'm now wondering if it would work as the factory settings / drivers would be for the original HDD.

I usually just DL a copy of Windows complete with the latest updates. Seeing as I've already paid for it.

 

I use Acronis true image, have used from version 9 through to 2015, I have to say they peaked at 2012 as it was easiest to use and had the least hassle. I have 2015 at the moment and its a pain in the ***** having a seperate image usb stick for the universal restore portion of the utilities. Clonezilla is also handy Ive heard.

 

yeh but what price is that vs free stuff?

 

I (well, work) paid £33 for it, very handy in work.

 

I've used both and personally find clonezilla by far the best to work with for cloning. For any partitioning work whilst in the OS I use EaseUS partition manager which is free and very very good:

http://www.partition-tool.com/