Installing new SSD for first time...

[mobkon]

I have a system currently running Windows 7 off of an old HDD. I just bought an SSD and want to clean install Windows 10 on the SSD and use my old HDD as a backup storage drive.

What are my options here? Install the new SSD, install fresh Windows 7 from USB drive, then upgrade to 10 for free? Then just wipe the old HDD? Is it that easy?

What if I move my current main system HDD to the second SATA port on my motherboard, will it automatically just start using the SSD that's now in the first SATA port?

Sorry for the elementary question...this is my first SSD and not entirely sure how to switch over.

 

[dudeman509]

Don't bother with that route.

Download the Windows 10 media creation tool (scroll to the bottom of this page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10) on your existing hard drive and burn the image to a DVD or USB drive.

Unplug hard drive; install SSD (or put the SSD in as device 0; HDD as disk 1 - just make sure that you pick the right drive to install on!) Install Windows 10 directly from the bootable DVD/USB.

 

[mobkon]

Ok got it. What is that i keep reading about making sure SSD is set to AHCI?

 

[USAFRet]

Ok got it. What is that i keep reading about making sure SSD is set to AHCI?

AHCI is in the BIOS, not the drive.
Assuming you know your current valid Win 7 license key, you can install Win 10, and when it asks...enter your WIn 7 license key.
Proceed.

 

[mobkon]

Right, but do I need to change the drive to AHCI in the bios? Is that a step I need to do? I don't see it mentioned all the time, only sometimes.

 

[USAFRet]

Right, but do I need to change the drive to AHCI in the bios? Is that a step I need to do? I don't see it mentioned all the time, only sometimes.

Before you install the OS.