Question If a hard-drive is already installed with Windows 10, can I just plug in a SSD?

[PotatoChez]

I want to plug in the SSD, install windows on it, and use the SSD as a boot drive. Would this be alright? If possible could I remove the windows 10 on the HDD? I don't want to format all drives and re-install windows on only my SSD as I have too many important files and need this computer for work. I don't want to do anything that takes too much time.

 

[ElectrO_90]

make and model of your existing hdd
make and model of your new SSD
Also how much empty space on your HDD
if you want things to work, then things take time, if you want to lose your files, then do it quickly

 

[SHMILY]

There is a function that can be transferred to your WINDOWS system, but I found that similar tools are not easy to use, can not start, or to re-install the system.

 

[jsmithepa]

I don't want to do anything that takes too much time.

To do things properly, it will take time. You are too busy, pay somebody to do it. Important data, MUST backup, I would.

 

[USAFRet]

I want to plug in the SSD, install windows on it, and use the SSD as a boot drive. Would this be alright? If possible could I remove the windows 10 on the HDD? I don't want to format all drives and re-install windows on only my SSD as I have too many important files and need this computer for work. I don't want to do anything that takes too much time.

Given certain conditions, you can maybe clone from the old HDD to the new SSD.

What size is the new SSD?
How much space is consumed on the current C drive?
Is the HDD partitioned into more than one data partition? A C and D perhaps?
Desktop or laptop?
What other drives are in this system? (a screencap of Disk Management would be nice here)

And this is not a procedure you want to rush.