Dumb question about new SSD

[sinwha321]

Helloes,

If I install a new copy of Windows 7 onto a new SDD and boot from it, do I have to reinstall all of my other stuff?
Currently I have windows installed on C: (SDD) but all my program files on D: (HDD).

 

[VincentP]

Yes.
What you can do instead is to use a program like Acronis to image the current SSD and just restore this image to the new SSD. Don't install Acronis, just use a boot disk.

 

[lullemannen90]

When you have installed your OS on the SSD, you can boot up and browse your HDD (everything will be left), so you can move your files etc. When you're done you can format the HDD by right clicking on it and select "format".

 

[sinwha321]

When you have installed your OS on the SSD, you can boot up and browse your HDD (everything will be left), so you can move your files etc. When you're done you can format the HDD by right clicking on it and select "format".

I'll try to clarify my objective: I want to switch my current SDD for a larger SDD. But still leave the OS installed on the SDD. In addition, most of my programs are installed on another HDD.

 

[VincentP]

Moving the files as described by lullemannen90 isn't going to help. The issue is that if you install your OS fresh, the programs on D drive won;t work any more even if the installed files are still there.
What you want to do is clone the existing SSD and restore it to the new SSD so that you don't have to re-install the OS or programs.

 

[lullemannen90]

When you have installed your OS on the SSD, you can boot up and browse your HDD (everything will be left), so you can move your files etc. When you're done you can format the HDD by right clicking on it and select "format".

I'll try to clarify my objective: I want to switch my current SDD for a larger SDD. But still leave the OS installead on the SDD. In addition, most of my programs are installed on another HDD.

Ah, I misread, my bad. My solution will only work if you are upgrading to an SSD and istalling the OS there, insted of on the HDD.

 

[sinwha321]

Moving the files as described by lullemannen90 isn't going to help. The issue is that if you install your OS fresh, the programs on D drive won;t work any more even if the installed files are still there.
What you want to do is clone the existing SSD and restore it to the new SSD so that you don't have to re-install the OS or programs.

Okay, how would I go about doing this?

 

[VincentP]

Moving the files as described by lullemannen90 isn't going to help. The issue is that if you install your OS fresh, the programs on D drive won;t work any more even if the installed files are still there.
What you want to do is clone the existing SSD and restore it to the new SSD so that you don't have to re-install the OS or programs.

Okay, how would I go about doing this?

Just get a boot disk for a program like Acronis or Ghost. There are a number of SSDs that come with imaging software to migrate from hard drives to SSDs. Once you get a hold of a working program, it is all pretty self explanatory. You can image to an external drive, or clone from one disk to another if they are both plugged in.

 

[leon2006]

Clone your OLD SSD to new bigger SSD/HDD...When its done you can reboot your PC on the new SSD/HDD. You have to resize the partition as it would be base on the partition size of the OLD SSD. All files will be transferred to the new SSD/HDD. The OS on the OLD SSD will remain. You can use Ghost, EaseUS, or other cloning tools for SSD.