Win7 64-Bit from HDD to SSD

[IntriguingGroupLogo]

I am thinking of upgrading my self built PC with a 60GB SSD. Currently all my data is stored on a Hitachi 1,5 TB HDD and am confused on how to only transfer Win7 to the SSD from the HDD. Would prefer not to format the HDD. Is there any other way?

 

[djscribbles]

I am thinking of upgrading my self built PC with a 60GB SSD. Currently all my data is stored on a Hitachi 1,5 TB HDD and am confused on how to only transfer Win7 to the SSD from the HDD. Would prefer not to format the HDD. Is there any other way?

You can do this:

Disconnect the HDD.
Connect the SSD.
Install windows on SSD.
Reconnect the HDD, delete the old windows directory, and any old programs.
Reinstall your programs.

 

[atmuris]

Have you looked at this site?

http://www.paragon-software.com/technologies/components/migrate-OS-to-SSD/

I am thinking of upgrading my self built PC with a 60GB SSD. Currently all my data is stored on a Hitachi 1,5 TB HDD and am confused on how to only transfer Win7 to the SSD from the HDD. Would prefer not to format the HDD. Is there any other way?

 

[jacobdrj]

There are a number of tools you can use to do this. Some are free, some are a little less than free.

I asked a similar question in this thread:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/279563-32-from-tiny-windows-built-tools#t1901862

I ended up using ToDo Backup from Easeus. But I also got a USB-to-SATA dongle and some other software to do a different migration.

 

[RetiredChief]

Just a comment so you are awhere of: that 60 gig SSD will only be about 50 gigs. You lose about 4 gigs as manuf use base 10 and computers use base 2. You also lose about 6 gigs as You MUST leave 10 % free for trim and CG.

Recommend the Clean install.
As DjScribbles stated:
1) IMPORTANT, disconnect HDD until after Windows is installed on SSD
2) Install Windows on SSD and let windows do its' updates.
3) reconnect your HDD - NOTE you can daul boot to either the SSD or The HDD. Once satisfied everything is good you can wipe windows from your HDD.

Added, steps to take after windows is installed on SSD:
1) Disable Hibernation - saves about 6 gigs.
2) Manage your page file (Virtual memory). Set Min & Max to the same value (try 1024 mbs) this will save about 5 gigs. This can be moved to HDD with only a small performance hit.
3) Disable, or limit, Restore points. Over time this space taken can grow to a large value.
4) Move My Documents folder and Internet temp files to to HDD
These are all relatively simple to do and instructions are readily available - just google topic.

IMPORTANT.
Once you have everything installed and have verified everything is working, make a BACKUP image of your "C" drive using windows 7 backup your "C" drive (located in Control panel). This will image your C drive + that little 100 mb system partition. You can place the image on your HDD (I ALSO copy to my external HDD) or on a set of 3+ DVD disks. Since you have a windows installation disk you can skip the "Create a restore Disk (You will be prompted to do this once the image has been completed).

Complete restore (Should you need to) can then be accomplished in as little as 10 -> 15 mins. Just pop in the windows disk, select repair then restore from image. 10 Mins later walla bang you can boot to the exact same confiuration as when you made the image. NO re-install, no windows updates (except for ones not included in image), NO reloading drivers, No reinstalling all them programs!!!