Coverting HDD info over to an SSD

[canopenertrooper]

Over the last summer I created a dream machine PC. Everything is top of the line, but now that I have received a larger payroll since then, I thought I might as well get a decent SSD. I am running all of my software and OS on a Western Digital 500GB Caviar Blue Hard Drive, it's a decent one at best. Boot up time is pretty good, but applications are constantly "not responding". I play a fair bit of Steam and love the non-existent load times with an SSD. My questions is this. Can I buy a 100 or so GB SSD and transfer my OS (windows 8) and most important applications (Firefox, steam & more) without having to re-purchase a copy of Windows 8? And will all my info be transferred uncorrupted onto the SSD? I've got very important information on my hard drive, so I really don't want to be losing that. If this is possible, would any of you kind folks mine explaining to me what I can do and what I'll need to make this possible?

(Links to a good SSD would help (needs to be relatively cheap))

 

[USAFRet]

1. You do not need to rebuy Windows 8. You can reinstall as needed.
2. I always recommend a fresh installation on a new SSD. Yes, there are various migration methods. But with a long used system as you have....a clean install on the new SSD is best. It will probably take longer to get everything ready to migrate to the SSD than just a fresh reinstall.

 

[trekzone]

You can use a cloning application for you to migrate your OS and applications from your HDD to your new SSD. Be sure to back up your important data in to another healthy media before doing anything in your system in case things might go wrong at your end.

This might be suitable for your budget:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-147-247

 

[canopenertrooper]

If I was to clean install my Windows 8 onto the SSD, would all my files stay on the HDD (apart from the OS)?

 

[USAFRet]

If I was to clean install my Windows 8 onto the SSD, would all my files stay on the HDD (apart from the OS)?

Files, yes. Applications will need to be reinstalled, either on the SSD, or HDD, or wherever you choose.

 

[canopenertrooper]

So all my Word Files and stuff would be saved, correct? Also, would this tutorial work for what I'm asking?
http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, all your files will still exist.

And yes, that (or any other migration) scheme will probably work. I am not a fan of doing it that way. I much prefer just a fresh install on the new SSD.

 

[popatim]

Although your files will still exist you do want to have a backup of important files. This is something you should always have and is more important than getting an SSD boot drive. Before messing with drives I recommend that you do a fresh backup.