Keeping harddrive data when installing SSD with OS from hdd

[Meatball3]

I am soon to be getting an SSD. Right now I am using a harddrive with windows 8.1 on it. Is it possible to move windows 8.1 from my harddrive to my SSD without having to start anew again.

 

[popatim]

Yes, use the cloning software that comes with your ssd (it may be something you download)

 

[Math Geek]

you can clone the drive to move it all over without reinstalling everything. i believe this will do the job for you and the free trial works fully if i recall correctly. so you can use it once and move on without buying it. http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/pc-backup/

 

[Meatball3]

Yes, use the cloning software that comes with your ssd (it may be something you download)

Do you have any recommendations? I am getting a SanDisk Ultra II.
I just want to get my windows 8 from my hdd to my ssd.

 

[Vlad Rose]

Yes you can, but you may have issues with the hidden backup partition that Windows 8 creates. I ended up deleting it as it never worked after the cloning, so it became a waste of space.

The other thing you have to make sure of is that the space used on the hard drive is smaller than the size of the SSD. I had to backup a good chunk of my drive to an external before I could clone it. (2tb hd to 256gb ssd)