Question Transferring of system files from HDD to SSD

[RadioactiverT]

As my post states, I'm currently installing a new internal SSD to my PC which already has an internal HDD, and I want to know how to transfer certain files
Main reason is because I have 1tb HDD and a 480gb SSD
So I can't copy everything, since I've used about 600gb or so if my HDD

Firstly, I want to install all the system files
Is it possible to copy and paste it? If so, which folders l (Sounds kinda dumb I know cos sometimes it just won't work unless the system installs itself in a certain place but doesn't hurt to check)
Or, if not, how do I go about without losing my files? I know there is a method in which I can reinstall windows, which saves my old folders as windows.old, but if I am reinstalling it, would it out windows.old under the SSD? Because then it won't have enough space to keep everything

Secondly, how do I go about putting specific apps or games? Namely gameloop
Thanks in advance

 

[RadioactiverT]

As my post states, I'm currently installing a new internal SSD to my PC which already has an internal HDD, and I want to know how to transfer certain files
Main reason is because I have 1tb HDD and a 480gb SSD
So I can't copy everything, since I've used about 600gb or so if my HDD

Firstly, I want to install all the system files
Is it possible to copy and paste it? If so, which folders l (Sounds kinda dumb I know cos sometimes it just won't work unless the system installs itself in a certain place but doesn't hurt to check)
Or, if not, how do I go about without losing my files? I know there is a method in which I can reinstall windows, which saves my old folders as windows.old, but if I am reinstalling it, would it out windows.old under the SSD? Because then it won't have enough space to keep everything

Secondly, how do I go about putting specific apps or games? Namely gameloop
Thanks in advance

Just a note in case you didn't catch on, which I'm sure most of you already did, but, I am keeping and using both, the HDD, and of course the new SSD
Just want system apps on SSD (as well as any other apps you guys recommend to be on the SSD to make it run smoother and faster)

 

[SkyNetRising]

I want to know how to transfer certain files
Firstly, I want to install all the system files
Is it possible to copy and paste it?

Copy/paste - no. This will not work for transferring OS.
Files are open for write. Those can not be simply copied.

Free space on HDD until used space is below 400GB.
You can move user files like movies, music to a different drive. Uninstall some software.
Then perform cloning from HDD to SSD.

You can use Macrium Reflect free for cloning.
Minitool partition wizard free - also good. A bit more advanced.

 

[Lafong]

You can't copy and paste a system drive.

You say you want to "transfer certain files" and you also say you want to "install system files".

I take it that you now have Windows entirely on the 1 TB HDD and want to move ONLY Windows to the smaller 480 GB SSD.

Is everything on the HDD on the C partition? Or do you have a D, E, F, etc?

 

[hotaru.hino]

The only way to properly transfer the OS partition from one storage drive to another is either clone the drive or create a system image and restore from that.

The manufacturer of the SSD may have a data migration tool for ease of cloning, otherwise use a cloning tool.

 

[SkyNetRising]

The only way to properly transfer the OS partition from one storage drive to another is either clone the drive or create a system image and restore from that.

Windows system image backup is very limited. It will not be able to restore to a smaller capacity drive (even if used capacity fits).

You have to use more advanced cloning tools.

 

[RadioactiverT]

You can't copy and paste a system drive.

You say you want to "transfer certain files" and you also say you want to "install system files".

I take it that you now have Windows entirely on the 1 TB HDD and want to move ONLY Windows to the smaller 480 GB SSD.

Is everything on the HDD on the C partition? Or do you have a D, E, F, etc?

Yes, I have everything on my HDD
Basically, my PC is a running PC that runs off my HDD
I bought a new SSD, and want to put the system files there, as well as any other files that is recommended
The only other file that I do have that I want there is gameloop
But that's no biggie, I can always reinstall that

I only have 1 HDD, so all on C drive

 

[RadioactiverT]

Copy/paste - no. This will not work for transferring OS.
Files are open for write. Those can not be simply copied.

Free space on HDD until used space is below 400GB.
You can move user files like movies, music to a different drive. Uninstall some software.
Then perform cloning from HDD to SSD.

You can use Macrium Reflect free for cloning.
Minitool partition wizard free - also good. A bit more advanced.

I'll use that if needed, thanks, thing is, I can't free up because I have games, and it's not that I can't download them again, it's just that my internet is so damn slow, so to download it, is gonna take a helluva long time
But if it's my last resort, I'll consider

 

[Lafong]

Well, you can't put 600 GB of stuff on a 480 GB drive.

You might be able to drive that 600 down to the low 400s by uninstalling stuff, running Disk Cleanup, etc.

There might be some highly exotic way around that, but I'd be highly suspicious.

You can buy a new 1 TB SSD for what.....60 bucks?