Installing Windows 8.1 on a new SSD.

[TheNards]

I just got a new SSD to use as my new boot disc. I also got Windows 8.1. I already have Windows 7 installed on my Hard-drive. What would be the process of using both drives at the same time? Will i need to install Windows 8.1 on my hard-drive as well as my SSD? Or can i just switch my SSD to my boot disc, install windows 8.1 on it, and leave my other drive alone? Also, what 'option' should my drives be in? I have no clue what RAID is, is that what i need?

 

[The_Prophecy]

Disconnect your hard drive, install the SSD, and then install Windows 8.1 to it. Once that is complete, reconnect your hard drive. This way you can set the boot sequence in the UEFI/BIOS console to boot from the drive with the OS you are going to use more, and when you want to switch, use the BIOS/UEFI boot menu to pick which drive you want to boot from. The key to access it is usually F8, F11, or F12. Consult your motherboard manual to find out which key it is.

Avoid RAID here, unless you are planning to reinstall both operating systems. Setting up a RAID array will destroy the partition info on both drives, so unless you have a backup (and know why you need RAID in the first place), I wouldn't bother.

 

[USAFRet]

First off, put the word RAID out of your mind. Don't need it, don't want it, if you try you will end up far worse than you are now.

Second, what do you want to do? Have both systems, one on each drive? Yes, that is easily doable.
Disconnect everything but your new SSD, install Windows 8.1 on that. Choose which drive to boot from when you turn it on.

Or do you want to have only Win8.1 as the only OS? Again, disconnect all other drives, install 8.1
After everything is working, connect the HDD.

Either way...any and all applications will need to be installed fresh for the new OS.
As always with a major OS change, have any critical files copied elsewhere and offline during the operation.

 

[RobCrezz]

Also make sure your sata is in ahci mode in the BIOS for best performance from your ssd

 

[TheNards]

Now if i were to install windows 8.1 on BOTH drives, would i need to install my drives ext... on my ssd or my hdd? And if i kept windows 7 on my hdd, would i need to install drivers on the ssd as-well?

 

[USAFRet]

Now if i were to install windows 8.1 on BOTH drives, would i need to install my drives ext... on my ssd or my hdd? And if i kept windows 7 on my hdd, would i need to install drivers on the ssd as-well?

1. Why would you install the same OS on both drives?

2. An install on the SSD, be it Win7 or Win8, will need its own drivers.

 

[TheNards]

Is there a reason to not have the same OS on both? And does that mean i need my mobo, g-card, and other drivers on both drives?

 

[USAFRet]

Is there a reason to not have the same OS on both? And does that mean i need my mobo, g-card, and other drivers on both drives?

There is no reason to do it.
And yes....they would be two different operating systems. Everything would need to be installed twice.