SSD as boot and maintain old files on HDD

[nalmalmborg]

I want to add an SSD as a boot drive to my PC and keep my old HDD (and its files) for storage. I just want to make sure I have a good idea of what I'm getting into first.

I know I need to unplug the old HDD and plug in the new SSD then install Windows (I have the install disk)

I know I need to set the new drive as the boot drive in the BIOS

With both drives connected I should be able to access files from the old drive but not programs, right?

Can I edit registry paths so that programs installed on the new drive access files on the old?

I don't have any storage with enough capacity to mirror my old drive so I would like to keep it intact but if there's no good way to keep it the way it is I can grab the few files I really need and wipe it.

If I have to wipe it, what is the easiest way to ensure that anything not OS related goes to the HDD (games, movies, music, etc...)

 

[RealBeast]

I want to add an SSD as a boot drive to my PC and keep my old HDD (and its files) for storage. I just want to make sure I have a good idea of what I'm getting into first.

I know I need to unplug the old HDD and plug in the new SSD then install Windows (I have the install disk) CORRECT

I know I need to set the new drive as the boot drive in the BIOS

With both drives connected I should be able to access files from the old drive but not programs, right? CORRECT

Can I edit registry paths so that programs installed on the new drive access files on the old? NO, reinstall them on the SSD

I don't have any storage with enough capacity to mirror my old drive so I would like to keep it intact but if there's no good way to keep it the way it is I can grab the few files I really need and wipe it. Anything you really want should be backed up somewhere, but you should be able to selectively delete what you don't want and keep the rest

If I have to wipe it, what is the easiest way to ensure that anything not OS related goes to the HDD (games, movies, music, etc...) When doing installs you can direct them to the drive you wish, but best to put programs on the SSD

See answers above in bold.