SSD boot drive HDD storage drive? Will it work? Why or why not?

[meeeemeeeee]

I want to put a samsung 850 EVO 500gb SSD in a laptop and make it the boot drive for windows, and make the 1tb HDD in the laptop for storage.

So here is how i would go about that:
1. switch HDD for SSD
2. turn on laptop and install windows 10
3. turn off laptop and put HDD in cady tray
4. turn on laptop and done

Will this work? If not, could you please provide step by step instructions and thanks

 

[SkyNetRising]

Your plan is good.
You may need to check boot priorities in BIOS after attaching second drive.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, meeeemeeeee!

I'd only advise you to make sure you have the HDD unplugged while installing Windows on the SSD. Otherwise, you might encounter an OS confusion and it would require you to repeat the procedure again. I believe there is a Windows installation & optimization guide for SSDs & HDDs you could use, despite it being for PCs.

Either way, always make sure you have a backup of your data from the current storage configuration copied elsewhere (e.g. external HDD, cloud storage, etc.) before tempering with the HDD. This is the best way to avoid any potential data loss and keep your peace of mind.

Hope this was helpful. Best of luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[why_wolf]

Yes that should work. Is the HDD blank or are you trying to keep whatever is on it already? If you are trying to keep it as is realize that the method you are using will leave a version of Windows installed on it (it won't be active so it won't fight the SSD) it will just be sitting there wasting some space on the HDD.

If the total storage space used on the HDD is less that the total space on the SSD you could just clone the drive over as well.