Windows and Hard Drive Concerns

[CoffeeSalad]

Hello, as the title suggests, I have some concerns about my hard drive and installing Windows when I build a new gaming rig in the near future. You see, what I intend to do is switch from my AMD FX 6300 and GA-78mlt-USB3 to an i5 4590k and an AsRock H97M Pro4. When said build is complete I wish to use the same hard drive that I currently use in my GTX 750 ti build (with said FX 6300 of course). From what I have observed from other curious, like-minded people on this site, is that we all afraid of losing all of current files and storage. I have also gathered that I would need to possibly wipe my drive and everything I have and do a fresh install of Windows 10. My question is simply this, is there a way I can sort of overwrite my current Windows on my hardrive and keep all of my files, or perhaps install a new copy of Windows 10 on my Samsung 850 EVO SSD that I've had sitting on my shelf for months unused? All answers and suggestions appreciated.

 

[USAFRet]

The OS on the SSD is the preferred way to go.

How?
Install Win 10, with only that SSD connected.
When it asks for the license key, use your existing Win 8.1.
This may or may not work, depending the license type of the Win 8.1.

 

[spoofer2]

as for your files, those will remain unaffected by the swap. your os however, depends, if it is oem version it is tied to the mobo and you will need to buy new windows. if it is full version, then you can do it but i am not able to tell you how to do that but i know that you can without buying new windows.

 

[CoffeeSalad]

What about all of the drivers on my HDD related to the mobo and CPU?

 

[USAFRet]

What about all of the drivers on my HDD related to the mobo and CPU?

They would need to be reinstalled with a new OS install.

 

[CoffeeSalad]

How do I do that?

 

[USAFRet]

How do I do that?

Before you build this, go to the manufacturers websites, download them, save to a USB.
After the OS install, install the drivers from that USB.

 

[CoffeeSalad]

For the mobo and CPU? I thought the OS install would take care of the mobo drivers. Also, should I delete the current CPU and mobo drivers for my current PC before or after, and will it affect the HDD?

 

[USAFRet]

For the mobo and CPU? I thought the OS install would take care of the mobo drivers. Also, should I delete the current CPU and mobo drivers for my current PC before or after, and will it affect the HDD?

Right...disregard motherboard and CPU.
This is for all the other drivers.

You're doing a whole new install, right?
The drive will be wiped, and then the new OS installed.

 

[CoffeeSalad]

Ok, so what if I install on the SSD? What will happen to the HDD? Will it be wiped automatically?

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, so what if I install on the SSD? What will happen to the HDD? Will it be wiped automatically?

No, it won't be wiped automatically.
And install the OS with only the SSD connected.
Reconnect the HDD later.

 

[CoffeeSalad]

Will there be any issues when I reconnect the HDD since it has Windows on it?

 

[USAFRet]

Will there be any issues when I reconnect the HDD since it has Windows on it?

As long as it isn't in the boot order, no.

 

[CoffeeSalad]

Ok, and thank you for your help. While I'm still here, I would like an opinion on said build I'm doing in the future.
Specs:
GTX 750 ti
i5 4690k
AsRock h97m Pro4
Corsair CX600
NZXT s340
Crucial BallistX RAM (8GB)
Samsung 850 EVO
And a 1TB Todhiba HDD
Thank you. Again.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, and thank you for your help. While I'm still here, I would like an opinion on said build I'm doing in the future.
Specs:
GTX 750 ti
i5 4690k
AsRock h97m Pro4
Corsair CX600
NZXT s340
Crucial BallistX RAM (8GB)
Samsung 850 EVO
And a 1TB Todhiba HDD
Thank you. Again.

GPU: Consider the new GTX 1xxx series
PSU: mediocre at best.

 

[CoffeeSalad]

10 series is past my budget. And one more minor question, will my downloads and programs automatically go to the SSD or the HDD? And if the SSD, how do I configure them to go to the HDD?

 

[USAFRet]

10 series is past my budget. And one more minor question, will my downloads and programs automatically go to the SSD or the HDD? And if the SSD, how do I configure them to go to the HDD?

Managing space and files between the SSD and the HDD-
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

For Steam games, see this:
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

 

[CoffeeSalad]

So when I do connect the HDD, it should have all of my programs such as razer synapse and the old chipset drives right? And steam games too? Or do I have to allocate it. Im still pretty new to this and have a lot of questions. I just want the new PC to work just as if I didn't change anything at all and work as if it was all one drive, but Windows boot from the SSD so it loads faster.

 

[USAFRet]

So when I do connect the HDD, it should have all of my programs such as razer synapse and the old chipset drives right? And steam games too? Or do I have to allocate it. Im still pretty new to this and have a lot of questions. I just want the new PC to work just as if I didn't change anything at all and work as if it was all one drive, but Windows boot from the SSD so it loads faster.

No.
Your applications and drivers will need to be reinstalled. Just like the first time.
Your Steam games are probably OK, once you tell the new Steam client that you install where they are located on the HDD.

You're starting with a whole new blank OS.
The only way to "work just as if I didn't change anything at all" ia to do a clone from the old drive to the new drive, which is highly not recommended when changing all these major parts.