We are moving our SQL Server to new hardware. Initially we were going to do this simply via backup and restore, but noticed we'd have to recreate all the logins. We don't want to do that :)
Downtime is not an issue, so would it be possible to simply stop the old and new server and copying all of the mdf files between the two? This would copy the master database which has the logins as well as all of the databases. I just don't know if it is supported.
We are using SQL Express so don't have the fancy bells and whistles, but on the flip side downtime is not an issue.
Thanks!