Installing only the OS on a new SSD

[Micheal Rodriguez]

I just bought a new SSD 120gb and I have a 1Tb HDD. I want to move my OS to the SSD and leave the rest on the HDD.

The plan is to do a fresh install windows 8 on the SSD and reformat the HDD. I would rather not do any cloning program since I feel like that would be more complicated rather than just reinstalling everything. I dont have much other than games and a few files.

Does the product key for Win8 OS affect the number it is installed in? eg. the old HDD and new SSD. How do i reformat the HDD so that it does not contain any files or Win8 OS, so that I have a clean HDD and no other copy of the Win8 OS.

PS. I dont mind reinstalling steam and other games, and programs on the HDD after I install OS on the SSD. I also dont mind saving files on a flash drive then copying it to the HDD.

 

[manofchalk]

The product key for Windows is tied to the motherboard, not the drive. You can use it as many times as you want so long as its the same board.
A standard reformat will do the job for the HDD, you dont need anything special. Just Google how to reformat a drive.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hello, Micheal Rodriguez!
As @manofchalk already said, the OS's product key will not be affected as it communicates with the mobo.
You've come up with the best decision about the fresh install on the SSD. It definitely saves you all the trouble and efforts of cloning.
You can simply re-format the drive using disk management in Windows or download a tool from your HDD's manufacturer that writes zeros to the entire drive (Performing a FULL ERASE is what you will be looking for as it completely erases everything on the HDD to the point of no return). For a WD drive, the tool is called Data LifeGuard Diagnostics.
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=810
You can backup whatever important data on your external drive/pen drive.
As for the Steam installation, here are a couple of links that might be useful:
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7710-tdlc-0426
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

Hope this helps you
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Micheal Rodriguez]

Thanks guys one last thing. Do I boot from the sad while both ssd and hdd are connected and reformat the hdd from there or do I boot from the hdd while ssd is unplugged and reformat.

 

[Micheal Rodriguez]

Ssd*

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hi again,
So first you need to unplug the HDD and plug in only the SSD.
Perform the clean install of Windows on it.
Make sure you set the SATA mode in the BIOS to AHCI and that you've plugged the SSD in the first SATA port.
Once everything runs smoothly with Windows, shutdown the PC and plug the HDD.
If you have the same Windows on the HDD as the one on the SSD, when you plug in, the HDD will be offline.
Afterwards go to Disk Management.
Right-click on the old HDD, select Online.
Then just format it and it will be ready to use, freshly cleaned waiting for your data.

Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8.1 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8.1 you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.

OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC maker, not MS.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com

Windows 8 is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx