Moving to SSD, can I copy a few folders instead of full install?

[thecoxinator]

Hi,
I'm going to be getting a 240GB SSD and a 1TB hard drive to replace my existing hard drive. Could I copy my C:\Windows and C:\Users folders to my SSD and boot from them? Then reinstall all of my programs later? This would save a lot of hassle getting my OS updated to the current standards after I reinstall. I've already backed up or pre-downloaded my vital programs to install onto the new drives. Thanks!!

 

[USAFRet]

Hi,
I'm going to be getting a 240GB SSD and a 1TB hard drive to replace my existing hard drive. Could I copy my C:\Windows and C:\Users folders to my SSD and boot from them? Then reinstall all of my programs later? This would save a lot of hassle getting my OS updated to the current standards after I reinstall. I've already backed up or pre-downloaded my vital programs to install onto the new drives. Thanks!!

No, you cannot do that.

2 choices:
1. Regular install of the OS on the new SSD (my recommendation)

2. Clone/migrate from the old drive to the new drive. How large is the old install? If larger than ~200GB, it won't work.

 

[Xyos]

A simple "copy and paste" of windows files will not work. There are registry entries, and MBR data that needs to be transferred.

You can do this through cloning software. If you can get your existing drive below 240gb, you can clone it to the new drive with either Acronis or Macrium Reflect.

 

[Chad Bebault]

You have to do a fresh copy of windows or use cloning software to move the image from the old hdd to the ssd, if you copy over a few files it won't work.
I have done both but prefer doing a fresh windows copy.

 

[beni_rohit]

yes that can be done with cloning softwares
use 'Paragon migrate os to ssd' to clone C drive to SSD
you could also use ' acronis true image' to do that same
acronis also has options to migrate other partitions on the drive to the SSD
you could also select which folders and files to transfer from the other partitions
Paragon however also provides only migration for the C drive

after the migration all you need to do is set the SSD as the boot drive

 

[thecoxinator]

A simple "copy and paste" of windows files will not work. There are registry entries, and MBR data that needs to be transferred.

You can do this through cloning software. If you can get your existing drive below 240gb, you can clone it to the new drive with either Acronis or Macrium Reflect.

Thanks. I figured this would be the case but hoped there might be a little technical wizardry that could help save me from registry errors.