Transferring OS to SSD

ReliefWithBeef · 2 Mar 2013 at 00:01

Hey guys,
I am getting an SSD and was wondering what the best way to transfer the OS over. I have two HDD's, one with windows and one with my program's. Can I unplug the drive it is currently on, install the OS to the SSD, then format the old OS HDD and still use my program's that are on the other drive?
Thanks

Akagi · 2 Mar 2013 at 00:06

Unfortunately I do not think that will work. It will be necessary to re-install most of the programs. You can re-install them back onto the HDD though, they don't have to be on the SSD.

The need to re-install them is mainly due to the fact that some parts of the program will reside in the old windows folder. I am not 100% on the technicalities, but that is basically it.

ReliefWithBeef · 2 Mar 2013 at 00:19

acme15 said:
Unfortunately I do not think that will work. It will be necessary to re-install most of the programs. You can re-install them back onto the HDD though, they don't have to be on the SSD.

The need to re-install them is mainly due to the fact that some parts of the program will reside in the old windows folder. I am not 100% on the technicalities, but that is basically it.

Most of my program's, mainly games, are installed on the HDD without the Os on if that makes a difference?

Rooster212 · 2 Mar 2013 at 00:28

Most programs will need reinstalling in Windows after a reinstall - and transferring Windows to an SSD from an HD can be dodgy. You are likely best off with a program like Norton Ghost to transfer from the HD but honestly I would reinstall all your programs.

wazza300 · 2 Mar 2013 at 00:31

how bigs,your os hdd? if its smaller than your ssd you can do a straight clone to it,no re install needed

if its too big then best way is do a clean install on your new ssd and make shortcuts of your games on your hdd,some will work and some will need re installing it depends,same for programs

ReliefWithBeef · 2 Mar 2013 at 00:32

Ah ok. I'll do it on a day off then. Thanks for the help.

ReliefWithBeef · 2 Mar 2013 at 00:33

wazza300 said:
how bigs,your os hdd? if its smaller than your ssd you can do a straight clone to it,no re install needed

if its too big then best way is do a clean install on your new ssd and make shortcuts of your games on your hdd,some will work and some will need re installing it depends,same for programs

My OS drive is 320GB, I was looking at getting a 120GB SSD for windows and BF3. Would I need to re download any program's or just simply reinstall?

wazza300 · 2 Mar 2013 at 00:37

if you have the programs saved then re install,if you dont then re download/install them

your old drives and data can be kept as they are,just install your ssd in ahci mode and do a clean install of windows,once done plug in your other hdd's and decide what you want to keep ect

look in the program folders for the exe. file of each game/program and create a new shortcut to desktop,some will work off the bat and some will need a re install

thats what i do anyway,anything i dont need after i just delete

unleashed · 2 Mar 2013 at 04:22

I would move stuff off the OS drive and shrink to the same size as the SSD you are buying. Clone OS to new SSD using Macrium Reflect, it's free and works very well.