Transfer only the OS from HDD to SSD

[lir2150]

Hi everyone, I have a simple question. Can I transfer ONLY my OS to a new SSD?

I read that it can't be done, that I can't just transfer the OS to the SSD but I thought I could check with you guys first. Also I know that the probable solution to this is to format my HDD after doing a bakcup of the things I want to keep and finally do a clean installation of Windows on the SSD, but is there something more easy for me to try? I just want to avoid all that trouble if it's possible.

Just to make things more clear I'm currently using Windows 10 and the SSD is completely empty, also there is no way I could just copy the contents of the HDD to the SSD since the first one has 1TB of storage and the second one only 256GB.

Thanks in advance

 

[Gam3r01]

You dont need to format the HDD. Just unplug it, install windows on the SSD, then plug it back in after.

 

[lir2150]

You dont need to format the HDD. Just unplug it, install windows on the SSD, then plug it back in after.

Wouldn't that leave Windows on the HDD too? Will everything else be where it was? Also, will everything work properly?

 

[Gam3r01]

It leaves windows, but you can essentially delete it as a whole.
Everything else remains fine, so long as you make sure the SSD is the boot drive in the BIOS.

 

[lir2150]

It leaves windows, but you can essentially delete it as a whole.
Everything else remains fine, so long as you make sure the SSD is the boot drive in the BIOS.

Okay, thanks!

Finally, do you think the solution posted here: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3417800/delete-windows-harddrive-ssd.html would work in my situation? What else would you recommend me to do to get rid of Windows?

 

[Gam3r01]

I think Skynetrising's post is a good enough step, if you delete those folders you will basically get all of windows bulk space, you may consider leaving the user folder intact though if you store things in my documents/picture/etc/

 

[lir2150]

I think Skynetrising's post is a good enough step, if you delete those folders you will basically get all of windows bulk space, you may consider leaving the user folder intact though if you store things in my documents/picture/etc/

Ok, sorry for the delay. I tried all this and it worked perfectly. Thanks again!