Install windows on SSD without formatting HDD?

[fearme99]

I just bought an SSD. Although, I want to have W10 on that one, but I don't want to remove all my files from my HDD.
I've got too many games that were large, and many pictures. How should I do it?
I don't have a CD to install windows.

 

[USAFRet]

You don't have anything to install with?
What OS is this?

 

[fearme99]

You don't have anything to install with?
What OS is this?

Did not understand your question. Windows 10?

 

[USAFRet]

You don't have anything to install with?
What OS is this?

Did not understand your question. Windows 10?

"I don't have a CD to install windows. "

Since this is Windows 10, was this an Upgrade from an earlier version?

 

[fearme99]

You don't have anything to install with?
What OS is this?

Did not understand your question. Windows 10?

"I don't have a CD to install windows. "

Since this is Windows 10, was this an Upgrade from an earlier version?

Oh. I just wanted help to install Windows 10 onto my SSD and boot it from there, instead of booting it from my HDD

 

[the_crippler]

You can just install 10 to the SSD without any issues - just pick that drive when you're installing. Make sure that your BIOS boots to that one first.

You're other drive should map as a secondary one. Remember that you're still going to have all of your program folders and windows files on there, which are going to take up a lot of space. Also, if you use Steam, you'll have to make sure to point the new installation of it to the folder on the secondary drive. If you're not using steam, you might have issues with those files being able to be run at all without reinstalling anyway.

Best thing to do would be to get the new SSD up and running, then move your pictures and Steamapps folder over (if there's space....if not use an external drive or something) and then format the drive before moving them back.

 

[Kurz]

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 I highly recommend getting at least a 4GB USB Flash drive and use that option.

 

[USAFRet]

You don't have anything to install with?
What OS is this?

Did not understand your question. Windows 10?

"I don't have a CD to install windows. "

Since this is Windows 10, was this an Upgrade from an earlier version?

Oh. I just wanted help to install Windows 10 onto my SSD and boot it from there, instead of booting it from my HDD

If your system has been Upgraded to Win from something else, you can install it on a new drive no problem.
Download this and create your install media: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Disconnect all other drives, and install your Win 10 on the SSD.
When it asks for the license key, Skip.
Your system is already registered. Assuming you Upgraded from a qualifying OS.

 

[fearme99]

You don't have anything to install with?
What OS is this?

Did not understand your question. Windows 10?

"I don't have a CD to install windows. "



Since this is Windows 10, was this an Upgrade from an earlier version?

Yeah.. I did upgrade from W7.
But now my key is invalid for some reason, but alright.
(Bought computer from HP earlier, later updated everything but not HDD. I guess the key was attached to motherboard.)


Oh. I just wanted help to install Windows 10 onto my SSD and boot it from there, instead of booting it from my HDD

If your system has been Upgraded to Win from something else, you can install it on a new drive no problem.
Download this and create your install media: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Disconnect all other drives, and install your Win 10 on the SSD.
When it asks for the license key, Skip.
Your system is already registered. Assuming you Upgraded from a qualifying OS.

Yeah. But my keys is invalid for some reason now. Guessing it was because I changed motherboard.
I upgraded from W7

 

[fearme99]

You can just install 10 to the SSD without any issues - just pick that drive when you're installing. Make sure that your BIOS boots to that one first.

You're other drive should map as a secondary one. Remember that you're still going to have all of your program folders and windows files on there, which are going to take up a lot of space. Also, if you use Steam, you'll have to make sure to point the new installation of it to the folder on the secondary drive. If you're not using steam, you might have issues with those files being able to be run at all without reinstalling anyway.

Best thing to do would be to get the new SSD up and running, then move your pictures and Steamapps folder over (if there's space....if not use an external drive or something) and then format the drive before moving them back.

I usually use Steam, yes. I want my files to be left at the HDD.
So I still have to re-install all the games on Steam? 🙁

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah. But my keys is invalid for some reason now. Guessing it was because I changed motherboard.
I upgraded from W7

Yes, changing the motherboard will do that.
Your only option is to beg Microsoft. Otherwise, buy a new OS.

(More info upfront is helpful here)

 

[the_crippler]

You can just install 10 to the SSD without any issues - just pick that drive when you're installing. Make sure that your BIOS boots to that one first.

You're other drive should map as a secondary one. Remember that you're still going to have all of your program folders and windows files on there, which are going to take up a lot of space. Also, if you use Steam, you'll have to make sure to point the new installation of it to the folder on the secondary drive. If you're not using steam, you might have issues with those files being able to be run at all without reinstalling anyway.

Best thing to do would be to get the new SSD up and running, then move your pictures and Steamapps folder over (if there's space....if not use an external drive or something) and then format the drive before moving them back.

I usually use Steam, yes. I want my files to be left at the HDD.
So I still have to re-install all the games on Steam? 🙁

Not for anything on Steam - like I said, you just need to back up your Steam apps folder. Once you have a clean drive and put it back, install Steam on your SSD. After installing it - whether you cleared the HDD or not - you need to tell it where to look. Go to settings->downloads and you should see options for your steam library. Add the location on your HDD and restart Steam. It should find everything. (Worst case, you might need to verify game cache for individual games, but I haven't hit that recently.)

 

[fearme99]

Yeah. But my keys is invalid for some reason now. Guessing it was because I changed motherboard.
I upgraded from W7

Yes, changing the motherboard will do that.
Your only option is to beg Microsoft. Otherwise, buy a new OS.

(More info upfront is helpful here)

So I can't install now since I don't have a key?

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah. But my keys is invalid for some reason now. Guessing it was because I changed motherboard.
I upgraded from W7

Yes, changing the motherboard will do that.
Your only option is to beg Microsoft. Otherwise, buy a new OS.

(More info upfront is helpful here)

So I can't install now since I don't have a key?

Basically, you have a 'new PC' (new motherboard).
So no.

 

[fearme99]

Yeah. But my keys is invalid for some reason now. Guessing it was because I changed motherboard.
I upgraded from W7

Yes, changing the motherboard will do that.
Your only option is to beg Microsoft. Otherwise, buy a new OS.

(More info upfront is helpful here)

So I can't install now since I don't have a key?

Basically, you have a 'new PC' (new motherboard).
So no.

Installed SSd, worked fine, until I plugged in the HDD again. Now even when I choose to boot through SSD it takes a bit longer than normally and then it boots HDD.
What to do?

 

[Kurz]

Yeah. But my keys is invalid for some reason now. Guessing it was because I changed motherboard.
I upgraded from W7

Yes, changing the motherboard will do that.
Your only option is to beg Microsoft. Otherwise, buy a new OS.

(More info upfront is helpful here)

So I can't install now since I don't have a key?

Basically, you have a 'new PC' (new motherboard).
So no.

Installed SSd, worked fine, until I plugged in the HDD again. Now even when I choose to boot through SSD it takes a bit longer than normally and then it boots HDD.
What to do?

So the entire computer takes longer to boot because of the harddrive?
Perhaps the harddrive is going bad.