Need some help on how to move my stuff on my HDD to my new SSD

[kabrty]

I got a new 275 GB SSD and I need to clean, reinstall windows on it. I want to move some of the files from the HDD over to the SSD and then wipe the HDD. My Goal is to reinstall all the programs so that I can chose the ones I want because I my hard drive is just cluttered and I want to start fresh. I know some basics about storage, but I would like some step by step instructions on how to do this. And to note, my hard drive is smaller than the SSD and 150 GB space with about 136 GB taken up. I also have backup up my important files.
Thanks
-Kabrty

 

[MeanMachine41]

Hi kabrty

If you wish to do a clean install of W10 then go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10
Obtain the Media Creation Tool and download the ISO file to an empty USB with 8GB storage capacity.
Follow the instructions on how to use the tool and how to install.

Just have the SSD connected and initially have your USB prioritized in Bios. Boot to the USB and then complete the OS installation. Once the OS is installed then prioritize your SSD to Boot from. You can then add your HDD and transfer anything you want to the SSD that's important then format the HDD and use it for extra storage.

 

[kabrty]

Hi kabrty

If you wish to do a clean install of W10 then go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10
Obtain the Media Creation Tool and download the ISO file to an empty USB with 8GB storage capacity.
Follow the instructions on how to use the tool and how to install.

Just have the SSD connected and initially have your USB prioritized in Bios. Boot to the USB and then complete the OS installation. You can then add your HDD and transfer anything you want to the SSD that's important then format the HDD and use it for extra storage.

How would I format the HDD and what would I format it to? What about the licensing key for Windows? Do I re-use the one I currently have? I'm sorry for all the questions but I am a beginner and want to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

 

[MeanMachine41]

Hi kabrty

If you wish to do a clean install of W10 then go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10
Obtain the Media Creation Tool and download the ISO file to an empty USB with 8GB storage capacity.
Follow the instructions on how to use the tool and how to install.

Just have the SSD connected and initially have your USB prioritized in Bios. Boot to the USB and then complete the OS installation. You can then add your HDD and transfer anything you want to the SSD that's important then format the HDD and use it for extra storage.

How would I format the HDD and what would I format it to? What about the licensing key for Windows? Do I re-use the one I currently have? I'm sorry for all the questions but I am a beginner and want to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Rather than a long protracted explanation by me kabrty on how to format a drive, Its best I refer you here to read up on what you need to know:
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-format-a-hard-drive-2626077

You don't need a licence key to install W10 OS. There was a period when your W7 or W8 licence was transferable using the upgrade facility however, I think that has finished now.
You can continue using W10 without a licence with some slight restrictions and a water mark asking you to Activate your copy of W10.
Edit: I just checked and I think your previous product key will still work if its W7 or later.

 

[kabrty]

Hi kabrty

If you wish to do a clean install of W10 then go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10
Obtain the Media Creation Tool and download the ISO file to an empty USB with 8GB storage capacity.
Follow the instructions on how to use the tool and how to install.

Just have the SSD connected and initially have your USB prioritized in Bios. Boot to the USB and then complete the OS installation. You can then add your HDD and transfer anything you want to the SSD that's important then format the HDD and use it for extra storage.

How would I format the HDD and what would I format it to? What about the licensing key for Windows? Do I re-use the one I currently have? I'm sorry for all the questions but I am a beginner and want to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Rather than a long protracted explanation by me kabrty on how to format a drive, Its best I refer you here to read up on what you need to know:
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-format-a-hard-drive-2626077

You don't need a licence key to install W10 OS. There was a period when your W7 or W8 licence was transferable using the upgrade facility however, I think that has finished now.
You can continue using W10 without a licence with some slight restrictions and a water mark asking you to Activate your copy of W10.

So if I decide to re-install, I will have to get a new key? I don't like it when my windows in un-activated. I also, if needed, can clone the hard drive if necessary.

 

[mjslakeridge]

You will not need to purchase a new Windows 10 product key if all you are doing is reinstalling the OS on a new drive. If you log into your computer using your Microsoft account, Microsoft has a record of your license and should activate by itself. (Microsoft "knows" your motherboard and will see it is the same computer).

Edit: I see you edited your post while I was typing my response. You could clone the old drive to the new one since the new one is larger, but I prefer a clean install to get rid of clutter.

 

[MeanMachine41]

Hi kabrty

If you wish to do a clean install of W10 then go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10
Obtain the Media Creation Tool and download the ISO file to an empty USB with 8GB storage capacity.
Follow the instructions on how to use the tool and how to install.

Just have the SSD connected and initially have your USB prioritized in Bios. Boot to the USB and then complete the OS installation. You can then add your HDD and transfer anything you want to the SSD that's important then format the HDD and use it for extra storage.

How would I format the HDD and what would I format it to? What about the licensing key for Windows? Do I re-use the one I currently have? I'm sorry for all the questions but I am a beginner and want to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Rather than a long protracted explanation by me kabrty on how to format a drive, Its best I refer you here to read up on what you need to know:
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-format-a-hard-drive-2626077

You don't need a licence key to install W10 OS. There was a period when your W7 or W8 licence was transferable using the upgrade facility however, I think that has finished now.
You can continue using W10 without a licence with some slight restrictions and a water mark asking you to Activate your copy of W10.

So if I decide to re-install, I will have to get a new key? I don't like it when my windows in un-activated. I also, if needed, can clone the hard drive if necessary.

Yes you can clone if you know how and use a good product. Acronis are good however not all clones are successful and require you to repair your boot mgr. I have Samsung SSD and used Samsung Magician and no problems.
btw: I edited my previous post as I checked and your previous key may be usable to activate.

 

[kabrty]

Hi kabrty

If you wish to do a clean install of W10 then go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10
Obtain the Media Creation Tool and download the ISO file to an empty USB with 8GB storage capacity.
Follow the instructions on how to use the tool and how to install.

Just have the SSD connected and initially have your USB prioritized in Bios. Boot to the USB and then complete the OS installation. You can then add your HDD and transfer anything you want to the SSD that's important then format the HDD and use it for extra storage.

How would I format the HDD and what would I format it to? What about the licensing key for Windows? Do I re-use the one I currently have? I'm sorry for all the questions but I am a beginner and want to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Rather than a long protracted explanation by me kabrty on how to format a drive, Its best I refer you here to read up on what you need to know:
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-format-a-hard-drive-2626077

You don't need a licence key to install W10 OS. There was a period when your W7 or W8 licence was transferable using the upgrade facility however, I think that has finished now.
You can continue using W10 without a licence with some slight restrictions and a water mark asking you to Activate your copy of W10.

So if I decide to re-install, I will have to get a new key? I don't like it when my windows in un-activated. I also, if needed, can clone the hard drive if necessary.

Yes you can clone if you know how and use a good product. Acronis are good however not all clones are successful and require you to repair your boot mgr. I have Samsung SSD and used Samsung Magician and no problems.
btw: I edited my previous post as I checked and your previous key may be usable to activate.

Thank you guys so much. So just to clarify, I re-install windows, boot to OS and move important files, reformat, and I'm done?

 

[MeanMachine41]

I found a site that may help if you decide to upgrade, go here: http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/operating-systems/1403593/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-10-and-get-your-new-licence-key

 

[MeanMachine41]

Hi kabrty

If you wish to do a clean install of W10 then go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10
Obtain the Media Creation Tool and download the ISO file to an empty USB with 8GB storage capacity.
Follow the instructions on how to use the tool and how to install.

Just have the SSD connected and initially have your USB prioritized in Bios. Boot to the USB and then complete the OS installation. You can then add your HDD and transfer anything you want to the SSD that's important then format the HDD and use it for extra storage.

How would I format the HDD and what would I format it to? What about the licensing key for Windows? Do I re-use the one I currently have? I'm sorry for all the questions but I am a beginner and want to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Rather than a long protracted explanation by me kabrty on how to format a drive, Its best I refer you here to read up on what you need to know:
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-format-a-hard-drive-2626077

You don't need a licence key to install W10 OS. There was a period when your W7 or W8 licence was transferable using the upgrade facility however, I think that has finished now.
You can continue using W10 without a licence with some slight restrictions and a water mark asking you to Activate your copy of W10.

So if I decide to re-install, I will have to get a new key? I don't like it when my windows in un-activated. I also, if needed, can clone the hard drive if necessary.

Yes you can clone if you know how and use a good product. Acronis are good however not all clones are successful and require you to repair your boot mgr. I have Samsung SSD and used Samsung Magician and no problems.
btw: I edited my previous post as I checked and your previous key may be usable to activate.

Thank you guys so much. So just to clarify, I re-install windows, boot to OS and move important files, reformat, and I'm done?

Yes that's correct.