How to choose SSD as the installation folder for windows 10?

[Peter_257]

Hi,

How can I install Windows 10 on my ssd and not on my hdd? I read that the easiest way is to disconnect the hdd so it will automatically install it on the ssd, but I have a new Lenovo laptop and it would probably be a bad idea to take apart it as my warranty would be probably over. Are there any ways to change priority of hard drives so it would install windows on the ssd?

 

[USAFRet]

Hi,

How can I install Windows 10 on my ssd and not on my hdd? I read that the easiest way is to disconnect the hdd so it will automatically install it on the ssd, but I have a new Lenovo laptop and it would probably be a bad idea to take apart it as my warranty would be probably over. Are there any ways to change priority of hard drives so it would install windows on the ssd?

Temporarily disconnect the HDD.
Have only the one drive connected when you install the OS.

Takes but a minute or two. And will not kill the warranty.

 

[USAFRet]

But...didn't this Lenovo come with an OS already installed?

 

[Peter_257]

But...didn't this Lenovo come with an OS already installed?

It did come with win 10 already installed, but it's on the hdd, not the ssd.

 

[USAFRet]

But...didn't this Lenovo come with an OS already installed?

It did come with win 10 already installed, but it's on the hdd, not the ssd.

ahh....
What size is the SSD?
If you've not installed much since you got this, it may be possible for a cloning operation from the HDD to the SSD.

Did this laptop come with the SSD already installed?
Or did you put it in later?

How much space is consumed on your current HDD?

 

[Peter_257]

But...didn't this Lenovo come with an OS already installed?

It did come with win 10 already installed, but it's on the hdd, not the ssd.

ahh....
What size is the SSD?
If you've not installed much since you got this, it may be possible for a cloning operation from the HDD to the SSD.

Did this laptop come with the SSD already installed?
Or did you put it in later?

How much space is consumed on your current HDD?

The ssd was already installed. It is a 128gb ssd and I haven't installed much on my laptop yet, 45gb is used on the hdd(including windows)

 

[USAFRet]

The ssd was already installed. It is a 128gb ssd and I haven't installed much on my laptop yet, 45gb is used on the hdd(including windows)

Curious that Lenovo did not install the OS on the SSD.

But anyway....45GB consumed space is perfect for a cloning operation to the SSD.

Just like this (and it will require disconnection of the HDD during this provess)
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the 450MB Recovery Partition, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
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