[Windows 10] Moving to new SSD

[AppleGeek911]

My mom originally bought her Lenovo laptop back in 2011, so it had Windows 7 preinstalled. Since then, I've upgraded the RAM to 8GB and installed Windows 10.

I just ordered a Crucial BX200 SSD to breath some new life into the system.
Since I'm going to copy all of the data over to the new drive, I'm trying to think of the best way to do so.

1.) I could simply clone to HDD's contents to the SSD. However, this wouldn't be a clean install and likely wouldn't run as well.

2.) I could install Windows 7 on the SSD with the generic key, and change to the OEM key post-installation. From there, I could upgrade the system to Windows 10 and copy the data back over manually. However, I'd need to find a way to move over the installation of Office.

3.) I could install Windows 10 with the generic key, change to the OEM key post-installation, and then copy over the data manually. However, I still would need to find a way to move over the installation of Office, and I'm not sure if an OEM product key for Windows 7 would activate when injected into a system running Windows 10.

If anyone could tell me the best way to go about this, I'd appreciate it.

 

[ak47jar3d]

I would move all the files to an external drive and install Windows 10. This is a good to dump a bunch files she no longer needs. I would recommend creating a bootable usb or dvd and getting the windows 10 elsewhere. It would be cheaper.

 

[warhead0]

I just upgraded a laptop of mine yesterday.

I did the no backup method. just removed the HDD and plugged in a new SSD. booted off a USB device and installed as normal.

You can activate Windows 10 with a Win 7 key. (assuming your W10 is up to date)

 

[USAFRet]

Clone - This requires that the total used space on the current drive be significantly smaller than the SSD

Clean install - No problem ,but you will need to reinstall all the applications.
No messing about with the key needed. We can go into detail on this if you wish.

So....how large is the new SSD, and how much total used space is on the current drive?

 

[AppleGeek911]

The old HDD is 500GB in size, it still has 370GB free. The new SSD is 240GB. I think I'm going to go the clean install route. I'll just copy the /Users/ directory to an external drive.

Basically the only applications used on the system are Firefox and Office 2010. If I uninstall Office, will I be able to use the product key again on the new system?

 

[USAFRet]

The old HDD is 500GB in size, it still has 370GB free. The new SSD is 240GB. I think I'm going to go the clean install route. I'll just copy the /Users/ directory to an external drive.

Basically the only applications used on the system are Firefox and Office 2010. If I uninstall Office, will I be able to use the product key again on the new system?

So, you have ~130GB used space. Plenty of extra space on that 240GB drive. That should clone over no problem.
But, a clean install ALWAYS works.

What is the thought process behind "I'll just copy the /Users/ directory to an external drive." ?
Not a good idea.

Yes, you can reinstall Office as needed, with that same license.