Install OS on new SSD, but keep files with the old HDD. Connecting fresh installed Steam from SSD to old HDD.

[vlad.boaja]

So guys, I've bought a new SSD (M.2) for my Gaming Laptop.
Now the problem is, i have a bad internet connection (700 kb/s). I have no problem with a fresh install of Windows, downloading all the drivers and waiting for Windows updates. The only thing that bothers me is the wait time for all 600 gb of games a.s.o. .
1. Is there a way i can link my fresh installed Steam to my old Steam folder on my HDD?
2. Would it be better if i would make a image from the Windows partition or fresh install Windows? (i would still have all my programs, etc.)
3. Does the Windows Clone somehow affect the PC? I mean, the drivers aren't properly installed, only copied... I guess...
4. If i make a fresh install on the SSD, how do i now which files to delete?/How to remove Windows from the old HDD and still keep my files?

 

[clutchc]

Are you planning on having both the SSD and the HDD in the laptop together?

 

[vlad.boaja]

Are you planning on having both the SSD and the HDD in the laptop together?

Yes

 

[clutchc]

I presume you can't or don't want to clone the HDD to the SSD.

You can do a clean install of Win on the new SSD. Of course, the stuff on the HDD will be unavailable to the new OS on the SSD. But you can save access to your Steam games. Delete everything on the HDD except for the Steam folder. Then...

Navigate to your Steam folder. Delete all of the files and folders except the SteamApps & Userdata folders and Steam.exe. Launch Steam and log into your account. Steam will rebuild the necessary keys in the registry.
Basically it is a form of "moving your Steam folder to a new location" outlined here. But w/o actually moving the folder.


The only drawback is that the old HDD will still have the boot sector from the old OS installation. (not necessarily a problem if you set the new drive as the boot drive) And you can't wipe/reformat it w/o losing your steam games again. Unless, that is, you copy the steam folder to another drive temporarily, wipe/format the HDD, then restore the steam folder back to the HDD and then do the above procedure.

 

[clutchc]

Don't forget to unplug the HDD when you are installing Win to the new SSD. That way Win won't see the old boot sector on the HDD and think that is where it should place the new boot sector. Rare, but it can happen.