Copy OS from HDD to new, smaller capacity SSD

[oscar.payne03]

So, I got a new SSD today. It's 120gb and is SATA, not NVMe. I would like to use it as my boot drive and for my most used games. My current HDD is 2tb and is about 2/3 full. Is there a way to copy just the OS to the SSD and leave the other files on the HDD??

 

[SkyNetRising]

Only if OS in your 2TB drive sits in a separate partition and used space in this partition is smaller than capacity of target SSD. Then you could clone just OS partition.
But if OS is not separated from rest of data, then only way to transfer OS is deleting data and uninstalling software until used space is smaller than target SSD.

 

[oscar.payne03]

Only if OS in your 2TB drive sits in a separate partition and used space in this partition is smaller than capacity of target SSD. Then you could clone just OS partition.
But if OS is not separated from rest of data, then only way to transfer OS is deleting data and uninstalling software until used space is smaller than target SSD.

Could you run me through how to do this, and what that means haha

 

[SkyNetRising]

Can you show screenshot from Disk Management first?

 

[oscar.payne03]

Can you show screenshot from Disk Management first?

im not sure how to attach a screenshot ://

 

[oscar.payne03]

Can you show screenshot from Disk Management first?

In disk manager, there is the C drive, D drive (and two partitions, one in disk 0 the other in disk 1), and there is the E drive (my new SSD)

 

[SkyNetRising]

Upload to imgur.com and post link.

 

[USAFRet]

There is no function or application that will split off only the OS for this.

Going into a 120GB drive, your current C drive or partition must be below 85GB or so.
Unless you've already partitioned it like this...unlikely.

As above, show us a screencap of your Disk Management window.

 

[oscar.payne03]

There is no function or application that will split off only the OS for this.

Going into a 120GB drive, your current C drive or partition must be below 85GB or so.
Unless you've already partitioned it like this...unlikely.

As above, show us a screencap of your Disk Management window.

https://imgur.com/a/vL8SdQ4

 

[SkyNetRising]

You'd need to clear ~ 1100GB from your C: drive to be able to clone it to 120GB drive.
That's a lot of work of uninstalling software, moving away user files.

Nah. Just install clean windows on your new SSD (disconnect old drive first, reconnect after windows is installed.)

 

[USAFRet]

https://imgur.com/a/vL8SdQ4

Not gonna work.

What, specifically, constitutes the space on your HDD?

Much easier just to start over, with a clean install on the new SSD.

 

[oscar.payne03]

https://imgur.com/a/vL8SdQ4

Not gonna work.

What, specifically, constitutes the space on your HDD?

Much easier just to start over, with a clean install on the new SSD.

Hmm... ok, in that case; is it possible for me to install windows on my SSD but keep all my files on my HDD?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Hmm... ok, in that case; is it possible for me to install windows on my SSD but keep all my files on my HDD?

Sure.
Just disconnect your HDD before windows install and reconnect after windows is installed.

 

[oscar.payne03]

Hmm... ok, in that case; is it possible for me to install windows on my SSD but keep all my files on my HDD?

Sure.
Just disconnect your HDD before windows install and reconnect after windows is installed.

Ok! Would I just change the boot order? or would it matter that windows is still on my HDD?

 

[SkyNetRising]

HDD must be physically disconnected.
If you fail to do so, your SSD will not be bootable and you will not be able to boot your pc without HDD present.

After windows is installed on SSD and you have reconnected HDD, set correct boot order in BIOS.

 

[oscar.payne03]

HDD must be physically disconnected.
If you fail to do so, your SSD will not be bootable and you will not be able to boot your pc without HDD present.

Yeah, so if I was to disconnect it, and reconnect once I've successfully booted would I have to change the boot order, and would it matter that windows is on my HDD?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Depending, how you set boot order in BIOS, your pc will either boot from SSD or HDD.
So yes - you have to set it correctly.

 

[oscar.payne03]

Depending, how you set boot order in BIOS, your pc will either boot from SSD or HDD.
So yes - you have to set it correctly.

ok! how would I go about loading windows onto the SSD? Would I have to buy it again?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Depends on windows version.
For windows 10, just do clean install of same windows version (home or pro) and skip step, where asked for key. It will activate automatically once connected to internet. No need to buy second license.

 

[oscar.payne03]

Depends on windows version.
For windows 10, just do clean install of same windows version (home or pro) and skip step, where asked for key. It will activate automatically once connected to internet. No need to buy second license.

Ok!! I shall try and get back to you

 

[oscar.payne03]

Depends on windows version.
For windows 10, just do clean install of same windows version (home or pro) and skip step, where asked for key. It will activate automatically once connected to internet. No need to buy second license.

Ok!! I have installed windows 10 onto my SSD and then plugged my HDD back in, and it's showing up with the right amount of storage left. So, how can I get my files back onto my home screen?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Copy them over.
Old desktop files are located in \Users\YourUserName\Desktop.

BTW - you can re-link locations of desktop,downloads,music,pictures,videos to old location on HDD.
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/win...l-data-folders-in-windows-vista-the-easy-way/

 

[USAFRet]

Copy them over.
Old desktop files are located in \Users\YourUserName\Desktop.

BTW - you can re-link locations of desktop,downloads,music,pictures,videos to old location on HDD.
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/win...l-data-folders-in-windows-vista-the-easy-way/

Be VERY careful with that.
There are different procedures for Win 7 & 8, vs 8.1 & 10.

Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html