Fresh Windows Install to SSD instead of Cloning?

[EddyBT]

I just bought a M.2 SSD to upgrade my laptop. Could I simply do a fresh Windows install to the SSD? Otherwise, I'd have to delete 500+gb of stuff that I'll need to reinstall later to make my HDD small enough to clone onto the new SSD.

 

[jwcrellin]

Back up all your important documents and pictures onto a flash drive then do a fresh install onto the ssd.

 

[EddyBT]

Back up all your important documents and pictures onto a flash drive then do a fresh install onto the ssd.

I already created a system image to an external HDD. Will all my games and other programs work normally after?

 

[jwcrellin]

On the fresh windows install, you may need to re-download drivers and steam and EA etc..... Most modern game platforms have program data backed up on their servers so the only thing you need to worry about are local saves. I also keep a real life paper journal where i write down all my login and password info and which email is linked to which accounts and such, just in case chrome glitches out and doesn't auto populate fields for me.

 

[EddyBT]

On the fresh windows install, you may need to re-download drivers and steam and EA etc..... Most modern game platforms have program data backed up on their servers so the only thing you need to worry about are local saves. I also keep a real life paper journal where i write down all my login and password info and which email is linked to which accounts and such, just in case chrome glitches out and doesn't auto populate fields for me.

Alright! Thanks a lot!