Last minute questions for installing SSD

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lewisdc

lewisdc

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Mar 31, 2014
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So I'm about to install a Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB 2.5 inch, so far i've got my clean install of Windows as an ISO file on a usb, and shall be unplugging my current HDD to install the OS before plugging my HDD back in.

Now I have a few questions that follow:

How would I go about moving all my applications/programs (Photoshop etc) over to the SSD if they are still on the HDD?
What happens to the OS on my HDD once the SSD is made the priority to boot?
 
Solution
USAFRet
2 options: Clean install on the SSD or Clone from the HDD to the SSD.

Clean install is starting from a blank slate. OS, drivers, all the applications, etc, etc.
Steam games are probably OK, but everything else will need to be reinstalled, no matter which drive they will live on.

Clone
This is moving the totality of the HDD contents to the SSD. Obviously, 550GB won't fit into a 250GB drive.
But, if you can uninstall and move some stuff off to a different drive (this is why I asked), and get the actual used space on the HDD to below 200GB...you can clone over the OS, applications, and whatever else is in that 200GB.
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Currently I'm using 550GB of a 1TB HDD. I've got a few external drives that have everything backed up besides the games and programs, but i'm happy to re-install those if that's what is required? I get a little confused with how it works. I imagine I shall be needing to reinstall the likes of Photoshop onto the SSD which is fine by me, so is it okay for programs like Steam and those that don't need the aid of the SSD to remain on the Programs Files x86 on the HDD? Even if the OS on there is redundant whilst the SSD is the priority?

 
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2 options: Clean install on the SSD or Clone from the HDD to the SSD.

Clean install is starting from a blank slate. OS, drivers, all the applications, etc, etc.
Steam games are probably OK, but everything else will need to be reinstalled, no matter which drive they will live on.

Clone
This is moving the totality of the HDD contents to the SSD. Obviously, 550GB won't fit into a 250GB drive.
But, if you can uninstall and move some stuff off to a different drive (this is why I asked), and get the actual used space on the HDD to below 200GB...you can clone over the OS, applications, and whatever else is in that 200GB.
 
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Solution


Awesome, thanks for all the help!
 
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For the actual cloning operation:

These steps, in order, no deviations
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the original boot partitions, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
-----------------------------
 
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So for a clean install, i have it as follows:

- Unplug HDD and plug in SSD
- Plug in USB with OS then power up and enter boot menu to install
- Sort out drivers etc
- Shutdown and plug in HDD
- Enter BIOS to ensure SSD is priority for booting
- Then sort out reinstalling programs onto SSD if desired
 
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Yes.
It is advisable to gather the needed drivers before you start. Save them on a USB stick.

And, after you reconnect the HDD, you need to be REALLY sure the system is booting from the SSD. I've seen many people here get caught up with that.
 
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LAN (motherboard)
WiFi if necessary
GPU
Audio
Mouse/keyboard if they require it


But generally, the LAN is all you really need.
Once that is installed, you can go wherever and get the others.
 
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So the LAN would be the realtek pcie gbe family controller?, along with their audio, nvidia's Geforce experience and drivers etc.
That would also mean that the HDD can be removed of all the unecessary drivers and windows itself as well?
Sorry for all the questions

 
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Yes, yes, and yes.
 
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All went well!

However I'm a tad confused with regards to what to do next with the HDD.

I want to clear the OS upon it, but i imagine the best way to go about this is to wipe it entirely and install steam and the likes back on it?

I notice it as a partition, but i'm confused as to whether to just choose the option to format it, or to delete the partition.

 
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Open it up in Disk Management.
Delete ALL the partitions on it, leaving one large space.
Give it a drive letter and use that.

Steam games, you can tell the Steam client to use a folder on there as a second install location. You could even make it the default install location if you desire.
The Steam client still lives on the SSD.

Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder
5RXQa0Y.jpg

 
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