Transferring Windows from HDD to SSD

[awesomeian]

So, I own a pc that has a 1TB HDD and a 120 gig SSD. When I first built it and was installing windows, I wasn't thinking, and installed Windows on my HDD instead of my SSD as my main boot drive. Now, I would like to have windows boot from my SSD to improve startup speed, but not loose any of my files (Programs, Games, Pictrures, etc.). However, currently, on my HDD, I'm using 226 gigs for windows and all my files, and my SSD can only hold 120 gigs, so I am not sure what to do. I don't want to reinstall windows, I do not want to loose any of my files, and I do not want to buy a new SSD. Is there any way to keep certain files, such as my User folder, Program Files and Program Files(x86), etc. on the HDD and just move my windows boot/installation onto the SSD?

PC Specs:

Graphics Card: GTX 970
CPU: AMD FX-6300
Motherboard: M5A78L-M/USB3
PSU: EVGA 500W Power Supply
Case: Corsair Carbide Series Air 240 Arctic White
HDD: WD Blue 1TB Desktop Hard Disk Drive
SSD: Crucial BX100 120GB

 

[fredfinks]

Backup all your personal data (not o/s stuff or programs) to another drive /usb key whatever. Dont forget save games.
Unplug HDD
Reinstall windows to the SSD. near the beginning delete previous partition so windows is installed on clean disk.
Once completed, installed drivers etc, plug in your HDD and format it to clean.
Reinstall programs & games to the HDD. You can get away with a few programs&games & o/s on a 120gb drive. You dont want to push it though. Try to keep below 100gb used.

Put back your personal data from your backup. Including savegames to their location (each game different- google if not sure where each game's save files are located).

Now your pc is properly configured, stable and running efficiently. Stuffing around and migrating and all that junk is cause for drama.

 

[awesomeian]

Okay, but if I backup my Program Files, Program Files x86, AppData, and Program Data onto another disk, once I install the new version of windows, how would I put these files into windows without putting them on the 120 gig drive? and also, wouldn't there be some registry or installation problems with the programs?

 

[fredfinks]

you reinstall windows & programs.
As i said - you dont backup their data only your data. e.g. you backup Word docs & spreadsheets. you dont backup MS Offfice's program files.
You backup Steam games however. Use steams backup/restore tool so youre not re-downloading 30gb+ games.
You need to manually save the savegames. each game puts them in a diff location.

Whatever program you use, you should go into preferences and change output location to a personal created output folder so whenever a o/s install has to take place youve got your personal data in one location/area.

 

[awesomeian]

is there any way to do it without reinstalling all of my programs?