How do i install my system on a SSD?

[kalincho03]

I want to buy a ssd but i dont know how to install my systeam on it so it boots from there i will be buying a kingston A400 240GB. Thank You!

 

[Barty1884]

You have options.
1. Clone your boot drive to the SSD - this takes the good, the bad and the ugly though (registry errors, old driver conflicts etc), and requires your "used" space on the old drive to be less than the capacity of the new SSD.

2. Clean install your OS onto the SSD. You can create bootable installation media direct from Microsoft (if W10)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

Create media to a USB, disconnect the old drive, install the SSD.
Boot from the USB, follow the prompts. Skip when asked for an activation key, as you'll reactivate when back online provided you install the same version of Windows 10 (Home, Pro etc) and your OS was already activated.

 

[kalincho03]

You have options.
1. Clone your boot drive to the SSD - this takes the good, the bad and the ugly though (registry errors, old driver conflicts etc), and requires your "used" space on the old drive to be less than the capacity of the new SSD.

2. Clean install your OS onto the SSD. You can create bootable installation media direct from Microsoft (if W10)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

Create media to a USB, disconnect the old drive, install the SSD.
Boot from the USB, follow the prompts. Skip when asked for an activation key, as you'll reactivate when back online provided you install the same version of Windows 10 (Home, Pro etc) and your OS was already activated.

Thank you for taking your time to answer me but can i just copy my C: Drive onto the SSD? Thank you.

 

[Barty1884]

No, you cannot "copy", it doesn't work like that.

You'll need to use dedicated cloning software (some SSDs come with software, but there's plenty of free options out there), but again, your existing drive must be <200GB or so in this case.

A clean install would be highly recommended.

 

[Gam3r01]

No, you have to clean install or clone the drive.

 

[kalincho03]

No, you cannot "copy", it doesn't work like that.

You'll need to use dedicated cloning software (some SSDs come with software, but there's plenty of free options out there), but again, your existing drive must be <200GB or so in this case.

A clean install would be highly recommended.

English isnt my first language and this question wouldnt make a lot of sense.When doing a clean install Do i get to keep the things from the hdd? if so how can i remove the windows from the hdd?

 

[USAFRet]

No, you cannot "copy", it doesn't work like that.

You'll need to use dedicated cloning software (some SSDs come with software, but there's plenty of free options out there), but again, your existing drive must be <200GB or so in this case.

A clean install would be highly recommended.

English isnt my first language and this question wouldnt make a lot of sense.When doing a clean install Do i get to keep the things from the hdd? if so how can i remove the windows from the hdd?

Depends on what you mean by "the things".
All the applications on your current drive would not be usable with a new OS on the new SSD.
Any data like music and video files are usable, but its convoluted due to where they currently exist and the WIndows permission model.

How much space is actually consumed on your current drive?
What OS is this?
Laptop or desktop?

 

[kalincho03]

No, you cannot "copy", it doesn't work like that.

You'll need to use dedicated cloning software (some SSDs come with software, but there's plenty of free options out there), but again, your existing drive must be <200GB or so in this case.

A clean install would be highly recommended.

English isnt my first language and this question wouldnt make a lot of sense.When doing a clean install Do i get to keep the things from the hdd? if so how can i remove the windows from the hdd?

Depends on what you mean by "the things".
All the applications on your current drive would not be usable with a new OS on the new SSD.
Any data like music and video files are usable, but its convoluted due to where they currently exist and the WIndows permission model.

How much space is actually consumed on your current drive?
What OS is this?
Laptop or desktop?

So i use over 300GB, WIN 10, Desktop.

 

[Barty1884]

Then cloning is not a possibility as it stands. You cannot clone a larger partition to a smaller partition/drive.
You also cannot select aspects to clone - it's an all or nothing approach.

 

[USAFRet]

So i use over 300GB, WIN 10, Desktop.

So, you're somewhat close.
To clone to this new drive, you must get the actual used space to below 200GB.

Delete some old gunk out of your downloads folder.
Delete some of those old videos you no longer watch.
Uninstall some old games.

200GB is your magic number.
Once you get there, we can discuss actual cloning steps if you want to go that way.

 

[kalincho03]

So i use over 300GB, WIN 10, Desktop.

So, you're somewhat close.
To clone to this new drive, you must get the actual used space to below 200GB.

Delete some old gunk out of your downloads folder.
Delete some of those old videos you no longer watch.
Uninstall some old games.

200GB is your magic number.
Once you get there, we can discuss actual cloning steps if you want to go that way.

I deleted some games and photos but i cant get under 200 i am currently at 260GB

 

[USAFRet]

I deleted some games and photos but i cant get under 200 i am currently at 260GB

Keep working at it.

 

[kalincho03]

I deleted some games and photos but i cant get under 200 i am currently at 260GB

Keep working at it.

Or should i get 240GB Crucial? and clean 20gigs

 

[USAFRet]

I deleted some games and photos but i cant get under 200 i am currently at 260GB

Keep working at it.

Or should i get 240GB Crucial? and clean 20gigs

Your actual consumed space needs to be below 200GB
The Kingston or Crucial...makes no difference.
And a current Crucial MX500 is "250GB", not 240.

 

[kalincho03]

I deleted some games and photos but i cant get under 200 i am currently at 260GB

Keep working at it.

Or should i get 240GB Crucial? and clean 20gigs

Your actual consumed space needs to be below 200GB
The Kingston or Crucial...makes no difference.
And a current Crucial MX500 is "250GB", not 240.

I am talking about the BX500

 

[USAFRet]

I am talking about the BX500

Mediocre performance compared to the MX500
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crucial-bx500-ssd,5377.html

Either way, 200GB or less is your number.