Bought a new ssd. Not sure what to do.

[valrog]

Hi, i bought a new ssd but im not sure what to do. Do i have to erase everything on my hdd and install os on the new ssd. or can i just plug in the new ssd and install os on it w/o deleting anything on old hdd.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi, i bought a new ssd but im not sure what to do. Do i have to erase everything on my hdd and install os on the new ssd. or can i just plug in the new ssd and install os on it w/o deleting anything on old hdd.

"How" depends on what you actually want to do.

1. What OS is this?
2. Do you want to do a clean install on the new drive, or are you considering a clone operation?
3. If a clone:
What size is the new SSD?
How much total used space is on the current C partition?

 

[geofelt]

You have two possible options.
1. clone your current Hard drive to the ssd.
This is possible if the ssd is large enough to hold the contents of your "C" drive.
Samsung offers a free utility to do this for their drives.

2. A clean install is easy enough. Do not leave your old hard drive attached during the install.
If you do, windows will put a hidden recovery partition on it making the hard drive necessary for booting and hard to remove later.
Nothing special is needed to condition the ssd for install. You can reattach the hard drive later to access files and folders.
Any apps will need to be reinstalled if they use the registry.

 

[valrog]

@USAFRet - windows10. / Im fine with a clean install but if possible id rather keep my files/games installed on my current harddrive. / ssd is 160gb.
@geofelt- 1 is not possible. and i have an intel ssd. I only plan on puting os and some games on the ssd. If i do step two and install os on ssd w/o the hdd attached. what will happen when attach the hdd back w/o cleaning it out?

 

[geofelt]

Intel also has a free ssd clone tool.

When you reattach the old HDD, it is just another data drive.
That assumes you have properly selected the boot order to make your ssd first.
No need to clean it out.
If you want, you can simply delete the windows folders.

If your games are on steam, I think there is a procedure to reconnect those games to a new "c" drive

 

[valrog]

cant i just simply move the game's folder to the ssd?

 

[USAFRet]

cant i just simply move the game's folder to the ssd?

Yes but....
With a system with an SSD and an HDD, you really want the OS and application on the SSD.
This involves a little bit of work.

But if you want to go the easy route, you can move just your Steam games over to that new drive.
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129
(ignore the part about moving the actual Steam installation)

 

[valrog]

Yeah what i was thinking of doing is what geo said. take out hdd first. then install os on ssd. then reattach hdd after os install then just move my "non-steam" games into the ssd. so it'll have the os and the games i want on it? will that work

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah what i was thinking of doing is what geo said. take out hdd first. then install os on ssd. then reattach hdd after os install then just move my "non-steam" games into the ssd. so it'll have the os and the games i want on it? will that work

'non-steam' games may require a reinstall.

 

[valrog]

Ohhh. is that so.... i guess thats fine. Thanks! looks like i'll have to delay it. i forgot to buy a bracket for my case... for some reason i didnt think of the bracket lol..

 

[USAFRet]

Ohhh. is that so.... i guess thats fine. Thanks! looks like i'll have to delay it. i forgot to buy a bracket for my case... for some reason i didnt think of the bracket lol..

Most cases in the last few years have 1 or more dedicated 2.5" mount points. Even cheap ones.

 

[valrog]

Ohhh. is that so.... i guess thats fine. Thanks! looks like i'll have to delay it. i forgot to buy a bracket for my case... for some reason i didnt think of the bracket lol..

Most cases in the last few years have 1 or more dedicated 2.5" mount points. Even cheap ones.

Oh. mines the cooler master haf912. i looked inside didnt see one unfortunately.

 

[USAFRet]

Ohhh. is that so.... i guess thats fine. Thanks! looks like i'll have to delay it. i forgot to buy a bracket for my case... for some reason i didnt think of the bracket lol..

Most cases in the last few years have 1 or more dedicated 2.5" mount points. Even cheap ones.

Oh. mines the cooler master haf912. i looked inside didnt see one unfortunately.

They are there. Just have to look closer.

http://us.coolermaster.com/product/Detail/case/mid-tower/haf-912.html
"2.5" Drive Bays 4 Hidden (two converted from 3.5” bay)"