Move from Hard Drive to SSD?

[Spencer993]

Hey guys,

My hard drive is filling up, and I'd like to somehow move my OS to a SSD. I don't want to purchase another copy of windows for the reinstallation. I also want to keep all my current files on the hard drive. What's the easiest way to do this?

Thanks!
Spencer

 

[SkyNetRising]

Easiest way is to get SSD that is bigger in size than your HDD and perform clone operation.

Do you have the SSD already? What's the size of your HDD? How full is it?
Can you post screenshot from Disk Management?

 

[Spencer993]

Easiest way is to get SSD that is bigger in size than your HDD and perform clone operation.

Do you have the SSD already? What's the size of your HDD? How full is it?
Can you post screenshot from Disk Management?

I'm planning on buying the SSD soon. My HDD is 1 TB, and it has about 354 GB remaining. I'd like to get a 240 GB SSD. For some weird reason, It's not letting me post the screenshot

 

[SkyNetRising]

For some weird reason, It's not letting me post the screenshot

Upload your screenshot to imgur.com or tinypic.com and post link.

 

[Spencer993]

For some weird reason, It's not letting me post the screenshot

Upload your screenshot to imgur.com or tinypic.com and post link.

http://imgur.com/a/G5HTR

 

[SkyNetRising]

Cloning to 240GB SSD will be problematic.
You'll need to reduce used space in C: to ~ 200GB first.
Get some external storage drive for that and move user media files (videos, music, pics) until you free enough space.
May need to move game library folders and uninstall some software.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I'm planning on buying the SSD soon. My HDD is 1 TB, and it has about 354 GB remaining. I'd like to get a 240 GB SSD.

Get ready:

1. Disconnect HD data cable

2. Install SSD and connect to lowest numbered SATA port.

3. Check and make sure all BIOS settings correct for SSD

OS Installation

1. Prepare for Windows installation with USB tool
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

2. Make sure boot drive data cable to lowest numbered SATA port .... but don't connect:
-Ethernet cable
-SATA Data Cable for any other drives

3. Install Windows to boot drive

4. Turn off Windows ability to install Hardware drivers
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48277-enable-disable-driver-updates-windows-update-windows-10-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/82137-drivers-turn-off-automatic-driver-installation.html

5. Install all hardware drivers from original media in boxes See Item 7 below

6. Connect ethernet cable and run Windows Update till it stops doing anything

7. Install latest drivers for ALL hardware from manufacturers web sites. The reason we didn't do this in step 5 is 3 fold:
-Sometimes MoBo CD comes with licensed utilities with product key embedded and these are not on web site versions
-Its advisable to establish a working out of box conditions
-Sometimes newer drivers require latest Windows Updates

If you have a 2nd drive ....

8. Shut down and connect HD data cable to 2nd lowest numbered SATA port.

9. Boot to BIOS and make sure that SSD is the 1st boot device, if not fix it

10. Boot to Windows

At this point, you have to decide what to do with old OS and programs. I assume you do not want a copy of the old OS. But you'll have to decide where ya programs / utilities games are going to go. You could just reinstall of if you want to keep all your program and game customizations you can do the following.

1. Copy the following Folders from your old HD to the SSD ... I'll assume the HD is now D:\ and SSD is C:\

D:\ProgramFiles => C:\ProgramFiles
D:\ProgramFiles(x86) => C:\ProgramFiles(x86)
D:\Any Other Program Folders => D:\Any Other Program Folders

2. Now take your original install media or go to download program folders on HD and install the programs directly over themselves in the exact same location ... all customizations should be retained.

3. Once you have confirmed and updated all items if necessary check that all are working.

4. Delete those programs / games / whatever folders from HD after confirmation

5. Delete Windows folder, users folder and any files in the root directory from HD

6. Go thru all the rest of stuff on HD and delete anything transferred or no longer needed.