Moving Windows 10 to new SSD

[iHaterz]

I'm getting a 240 GB HyperX SSD today, and i want to know if i can just install the SSD in my PC, and then move Windows 10 to it. I want my old HDD to be for storage and the SSD for Windows.

 

[Colif]

do you want to clone contents of hdd onto the ssd or are you willing to fresh install win 10 onto ssd and then move the files over after?

if you want to clone
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



if you want to fresh install
download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB
remove current hdd from PC and put in SSD
change boot order in BIOS so USB is first, hdd second
boot from installer
follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

when you reach the screen asking for licence, click "I don't have a key" and win 10 will continue to install and reactivate once finished

On the screen where you choose where to install win 10, if it gives you an error about GPT drives, delete all the partitions on the hdd and press next. If it still gives error, cancel out of the installer and restart PC and start installer again, it will accept next on that screen this time (some PC just need a restart here)

once PC boots from ssd a few times, unplug PC and reattach old hdd. Look in bios and make sure its not listed in boot order
Start PC and copy files over as required. You can later delete the windows folders so PC won't try to boot from it. Or use Dban and wipe hdd completely

 

[USAFRet]

Primarily, determine how much total space is consumed on your current drive. If over 200GB, determine what is consuming all that space. Reduce as needed.

EDIT:..ninja'd on my own steps...

 

[iHaterz]

do you want to clone contents of hdd onto the ssd or are you willing to fresh install win 10 onto ssd and then move the files over after?

if you want to clone
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


if you want to fresh install
download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB
remove current hdd from PC and put in SSD
change boot order in BIOS so USB is first, hdd second
boot from installer
follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

when you reach the screen asking for licence, click "I don't have a key" and win 10 will continue to install and reactivate once finished

On the screen where you choose where to install win 10, if it gives you an error about GPT drives, delete all the partitions on the hdd and press next. If it still gives error, cancel out of the installer and restart PC and start installer again, it will accept next on that screen this time (some PC just need a restart here)

once PC boots from ssd a few times, unplug PC and reattach old hdd. Look in bios and make sure its not listed in boot order
Start PC and copy files over as required. You can later delete the windows folders so PC won't try to boot from it. Or use Dban and wipe hdd completely

I use a 1TB HDD with 2 partitions. One for Windows and one for games and Photoshop.
I'm just interested in the fastest way to reinstall Windows on the new SSD, and getting drivers, programs and a couple of games ready. Is it faster to use Windows reset or just a fresh install from a USB stick?

 

[Colif]

You can't use reset so fresh install is fastest option. Reset only replaces the os on C drive, it wouldn't let you choose a different drive,