Transferring games and programs to new SSD?

[Ashtonhz8907]

I've decided to add a 128GB mSATA SSD to my laptop since I have a spot free to improve performance. Currently my main drive is a 1TB HDD with 500GB used and probably about 250GB of that is games and applications. I've read to clone my HDD I need to be able to fit all of my main drive onto my new one. (is this correct?)

My problem is a lot of what I have are Steam games and Origin games that I do not want to have to redownload over again along with a few digital applications.
I do not want it all on my new SSD but I would like to pick and choose some of the more demanding games/apps and copy to the SSD which would still be nauseating to download again on my speeds. Is there some way to do this without having to reinstall?

I will still have the 1TB HDD in my laptop and my plan was install Windows 8 to the SSD and delete it from my HDD, will my applications and games on the HDD still be usable if I do that? What steps can I take here?

 

[Hawkeye22]

If you are using 500Gig, how do you expect it to fit onto a 128gig SSD? Most cloning software will let you resize the partition upward (larger), not downward (smaller).

As far as I know, this can't be done.

 

[Ashtonhz8907]

If you are using 500Gig, how do you expect it to fit onto a 128gig SSD? Most cloning software will let you resize the partition upward (larger), not downward (smaller).

As far as I know, this can't be done.

Yes "(is this correct?)" was my way of asking for confirmation that I'm out of luck cloning. Simply put I'm asking if there is a way to "clone or copy/paste" one at a time specific games and applications I want on my new SSD which I will be making my C drive without having to download about 80-100GB again on a 3mbps connection.

 

[Hawkeye22]

Short answer: cloning can't be done.

As for copying/pasting programs, this also won't work. Most programs modify the registry when installed. Without the correct registry settings the program won't work or will only partially work. You can however move your data files over with no problems (pictures, videos, office documents,...).

 

[Ashtonhz8907]

Short answer: cloning can't be done.

As for copying/pasting programs, this also won't work. Most programs modify the registry when installed. Without the correct registry settings the program won't work or will only partially work. You can however move your data files over with no problems (pictures, videos, office documents,...).

Would porting my registry over work? I'm fine with my data files on my HDD just wanna avoid 75 hours of downloading for the games/programs I want a performance increase out of.

 

[Hawkeye22]

Possibly, but I don't recommend it. The reigistry contains a lot of information regarding hardware & software, including the OS. This is what makes it so dangerous to mess with. You can easily make you computer unbootable if the registry gets corrupt.

I know it's a PITA to reinstall software, but that's the safest option. Someone more knowledgeable may have a better solution for you. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

[popatim]

Try using the SSD as a cache drive first.

 

[Ashtonhz8907]

Thanks I ended up just reinstalling everything after I upgraded my internet speeds.