HDD format or not ?

[mushroomiii]

Good day All

I have recently bought an SSD, and i would like to install a new copy of windows to it and i currently have a HDD with all my things (including windows on) on. I want the SSD for a few games and boot drive, HDD for extra storage.

I would like to know if i have to format my HDD before installing windows on the ssd. If i dont format what are the risks, if any ?

All help appreciated

P.S
It is a 120 gb ssd, 500 gb HDD, and i have no spare drives.

 

[tambeshakunt]

You don't need to format the HDD but it will be recommended.

Otherwise here is the best way to go about it if you want to reuse your windows licence and don't want to reinstall Windows.
1) Copy off all personal data from HDD to an external hard drive so that the size of used space on HDD is less than 120gb.
2) Use macrium reflect to clone the HDD (less than 120gb now) to the SSD which you can plug in.
3) Boot to the SSD and once booted successfully....
4) Format the 120gb of data left on HDD and then put your data from the external back on.
5) You will now have an SSD with the OS and the HDD with personal data.

This method does involve formatting the drive but you will not be losing any data.

 

[mushroomiii]

You don't need to format the HDD but it will be recommended.

Otherwise here is the best way to go about it if you want to reuse your windows licence and don't want to reinstall Windows.
1) Copy off all personal data from HDD to an external hard drive so that the size of used space on HDD is less than 120gb.
2) Use macrium reflect to clone the HDD (less than 120gb now) to the SSD which you can plug in.
3) Boot to the SSD and once booted successfully....
4) Format the 120gb of data left on HDD and then put your data from the external back on.
5) You will now have an SSD with the OS and the HDD with personal data.

This method does involve formatting the drive but you will not be losing any data.

Thank you very much for your response. I am not worried about licensing i have another copy anyways, although this one is ultimate and the one on my HDD is professional. I would just like to know why it is recommended, because my external is full witch would mean i have to get it done by someone else on Monday (at a cost). could i get away without formatting my old HDD, and also why is it recommended?

Thanks for the help

 

[mushroomiii]

bump

Could somone please help

 

[tambeshakunt]

First of please don't bump post within an hour or so of posting. Rest assured, there are many members who will be trying to help you- bumping is against forum rules.http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/19-73-forum-rules-read-first



For the problem, formatting and installing a fresh copy of Windows is recommended to ensure you don't get any issues with regards to registry, drivers and other conflicts that may occur as a result of changing hardware. Fresh installation will ensure optimum performance and compatibility. I'm not saying you will have any problems......what I'm saying is that with a fresh install everything will be guaranteed to be working well rather than having something unexpected pop up a few days later.

Another way you could do it is:
Unplug HDD > Plug in SSD so that it is the only drive connected > Install windows and drivers etc... onto SSD > Plug back old HDD and make sure to boot to the SSD > You should be able to access your data on HDD > Now you can delete all the Windows related folders and files on HDD because the SSD is used for windows.

However, instead of "delete all the Windows related folders and files on HDD because the SSD is used for windows. " it would be ideal for you to have an external to which you can copy old data. They are available quite cheap now and a 500GB external is for about £30 now. Once bought, it won't go waste because you can always use it for backups etc.
If you do buy a new external, follow same steps as above but when you plug back on HDD, you can now format it completely rather than having to manually delete windows files.

In all my recommendation:
-Buy a new external hard drive
-Copy all data and format 500GB HDD
-Install fresh copy of windows onto SSD

 

[mushroomiii]

First of please don't bump post within an hour or so of posting. Rest assured, there are many members who will be trying to help you- bumping is against forum rules.http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/19-73-forum-rules-read-first



For the problem, formatting and installing a fresh copy of Windows is recommended to ensure you don't get any issues with regards to registry, drivers and other conflicts that may occur as a result of changing hardware. Fresh installation will ensure optimum performance and compatibility. I'm not saying you will have any problems......what I'm saying is that with a fresh install everything will be guaranteed to be working well rather than having something unexpected pop up a few days later.

Another way you could do it is:
Unplug HDD > Plug in SSD so that it is the only drive connected > Install windows and drivers etc... onto SSD > Plug back old HDD and make sure to boot to the SSD > You should be able to access your data on HDD > Now you can delete all the Windows related folders and files on HDD because the SSD is used for windows.

However, instead of "delete all the Windows related folders and files on HDD because the SSD is used for windows. " it would be ideal for you to have an external to which you can copy old data. They are available quite cheap now and a 500GB external is for about £30 now. Once bought, it won't go waste because you can always use it for backups etc.
If you do buy a new external, follow same steps as above but when you plug back on HDD, you can now format it completely rather than having to manually delete windows files.

In all my recommendation:
-Buy a new external hard drive
-Copy all data and format 500GB HDD
-Install fresh copy of windows onto SSD

Thanks, sorry for the bump XD. Just the info i was looking for. 😛

 

[tambeshakunt]

no problem.