I want to setup my new SSD for my OS and use my existing HDD

[85forfun]

I want to setup my new SSD for my OS and use my existing HDD for my data, what is the best way to do this with out losing the files or data. Would migration, or cloning be best. Thanks

 

[Lutfij]

Migration and cloning apps often tend to loose all your data, make a mess of things and make the work of reinstalling OS a better thing to perform from the get go. If you can, transfer all the critical data to your removable drive and with your SSD on the primary SATA port on your board/laptop(with the HDD on the secondary SATA port) running the installer for OS, you should be able to format the partition you installed OS on your HDD prior and then install the OS, fresh on the SSD.

Which OS are you looking towards? Windows 10?

 

[IAmAZ3R0]

I've done the same thing as you and I cloned using Macrium Reflect then formatted the old drive. It works really well and I highly recommend it.

 

[USAFRet]

I want to setup my new SSD for my OS and use my existing HDD for my data, what is the best way to do this with out losing the files or data. Would migration, or cloning be best. Thanks

1. What size/make/model is the new SSD?
2. How much data is consumed on your current C drive?

If 1 is larger than 2, then a cloning operation might be in order.

So...what sizes are we talking about?

 

[85forfun]

I have a sandisk 120gb ssd and my hdd has 138gb on it now. I only want to put my os on the ssd, not my data. If need be I know I can clear out enough junk to get it under the 120, but as I said I only want the os on the ssd. I can do a clean install of windows 10 on the ssd, but not sure how to setup the hdd as it has windows 10 on it along with all my data. The hdd is a 1tb drive and I also have an extra one that is empty.

 

[USAFRet]

I have a sandisk 120gb ssd and my hdd has 138gb on it now. I only want to put my os on the ssd, not my data. If need be I know I can clear out enough junk to get it under the 120, but as I said I only want the os on the ssd. I can do a clean install of windows 10 on the ssd, but not sure how to setup the hdd as it has windows 10 on it along with all my data. The hdd is a 1tb drive and I also have an extra one that is empty.

So, you have 3 drives
120GB SSD Wants to have the OS on it.
1TB HDD with 138GB consumed (OS and current stuff)
1TB HDD empty.

Correct?

For a cloning operation to that 120GB, the consumed space must be below 80GB or so. And you can't clone "only the OS". Nor should you.
That never ends up as expected.

So in this instance, I'd recommend just a clean install on the SSD.

1. Copy ALL your personal data from the current C drive tot he empty 1TB. Data, not applications.

2. Clean install of the OS on the SSD. Do this with only the SSD connected.
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10
This also involves reinstall your applications.

3. Once it is up and running, then you reconnect the 1TB with the old OS, and wipe it completely.

4. Then you can use the 2 x 1TB HDD's in any way you see fit.

 

[85forfun]

So basically I am just backing up my current hdd to my empty hdd and installing windows onto the ssd, correct. Once done I will have to install all my programs and apps to the ssd or hdd?

 

[Corwin65]

Since that is a small SSD, I'd install everything else to the HDD.

 

[USAFRet]

So basically I am just backing up my current hdd to my empty hdd and installing windows onto the ssd, correct. Once done I will have to install all my programs and apps to the ssd or hdd?

Depends on exactly what programs and apps.
Most of them are quite small, and will work on the 120GB.
But you can have some on the HDD as well. Choose where to install when you install something.

Read here for how to manage space between the two drives:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

For Steam games, here:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

 

[85forfun]

Thanks I will give it a try. I'm not a gamer so I don't have to worry about that at least.