moving os from ssd to m.2 ssd

[scaretactics.wicked]

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2-5-Inch-Internal-MZ-75E500B-AM/dp/B00OBRE5UE

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-960-EVO-Internal-MZ-V6E250BW/dp/B01M20VBU7/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1526324627&sr=1-3&keywords=m.2%2Bssd%2Bsamsung&th=1

this is the ssd i currently have and was planning to get a m.2 ssd. i wanted to move my os to the new m.2 .. would it be better to use samsung migration or a clean install? also would i have to reinstall the games i have as well or can that be moved as well?

 

[theyeti87]

Game files/folders can usually be moved, preventing the need for reinstallation. If you've got a storage drive large enough, it can be used to hold the game data while you transfer your OS drives around.

In your case I would recommend a fresh OS installation instead of trying to migrate it from one drive to the other.

 

[scaretactics.wicked]

Game files/folders can usually be moved, preventing the need for reinstallation. If you've got a storage drive large enough, it can be used to hold the game data while you transfer your OS drives around.

In your case I would recommend a fresh OS installation instead of trying to migrate it from one drive to the other.

so what i should do i move my games into my HDD for now... reinstall os into my m.2 and reformat my current ssd?

 

[USAFRet]

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2-5-Inch-Internal-MZ-75E500B-AM/dp/B00OBRE5UE

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-960-EVO-Internal-MZ-V6E250BW/dp/B01M20VBU7/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1526324627&sr=1-3&keywords=m.2%2Bssd%2Bsamsung&th=1

this is the ssd i currently have and was planning to get a m.2 ssd. i wanted to move my os to the new m.2 .. would it be better to use samsung migration or a clean install? also would i have to reinstall the games i have as well or can that be moved as well?

You currently have a 500GB SATA SSD
You're moving to a 500GB NVMe SSD.

No problem
You can't move "only the OS".
Rather...you move everything to the new NVMe, wipe the old drive, and then move some things over to the old SSD.

Moving everything is exactly that. Everything on the 850 EVO goes.
Just like this:
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
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
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the 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 450MB Recovery Partition, 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
-----------------------------


Then, you delete ALL partitions on the old SSD.
You can then use it as desired.

Move some/all of your Steam games to it. Designate a folder on the 850 for Steam games.
Then:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

To move an already installed game
Games library
Right click the game
Properties
Local Files
Move Install Folder

 

[scaretactics.wicked]

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2-5-Inch-Internal-MZ-75E500B-AM/dp/B00OBRE5UE

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-960-EVO-Internal-MZ-V6E250BW/dp/B01M20VBU7/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1526324627&sr=1-3&keywords=m.2%2Bssd%2Bsamsung&th=1

this is the ssd i currently have and was planning to get a m.2 ssd. i wanted to move my os to the new m.2 .. would it be better to use samsung migration or a clean install? also would i have to reinstall the games i have as well or can that be moved as well?

You currently have a 500GB SATA SSD
You're moving to a 500GB NVMe SSD.

No problem
You can't move "only the OS".
Rather...you move everything to the new NVMe, wipe the old drive, and then move some things over to the old SSD.

Moving everything is exactly that. Everything on the 850 EVO goes.
Just like this:
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
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
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the 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 450MB Recovery Partition, 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
-----------------------------


Then, you delete ALL partitions on the old SSD.
You can then use it as desired.

Move some/all of your Steam games to it. Designate a folder on the 850 for Steam games.
Then:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

To move an already installed game
Games library
Right click the game
Properties
Local Files
Move Install Folder

thank you brother!!