SSD Questions- Just programs?

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gijoe985

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Jul 25, 2013
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My situation-

I've got a computer that has Windows 7 Ultimate that I bought a couple years back off eBay. I don't have a disk or any information regarding my OS/registration. I bought a 256gb SSD because I do graphic and video work.

My questions-
For my situation, can I just install my programs onto the SSD? I don't know how that'd work if my program files folder is on the HDD.
If that won't work, does anyone have a best suggestion?
 
Solution
urbanrider
Just migrate your HDD data to your SSD drive. No need to reinstall windows. I’ve used EaseUS Todo Backups Clone utility. There are a bunch of different ways to do it but essentially it boils down to:

1. Shrink your HDD so that it will fit on your new SSD. This generally entails moving all pictures, movies, etc onto an external.
2. Clone your HDD onto the SSD with your program of choice.
3. Boot up your computer and choose your SSD as the boot disk, or just unplug the HDD for now.
4. Often you will have to repair your OS after doing this, so either make a repair disk or have a copy of your version of windows (these can be legally downloaded from Microsoft)
5. Once everything is confirmed up and running, you can erase your HDD and use it...
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floydo

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Jul 25, 2013
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For your windows key, search magic jelly bean. It will identify the registration key, then you can download a fresh copy of win from microsoft (search if you have questions). Just install the OS and programs. Where do you think you are going to store the data? If you use an external drive just identify the path.
 
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gijoe985

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Jul 25, 2013
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Well, I know that the OS would be best, but what about my situation where I have no disc or documentation? I don't really want to have to buy a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate if I already have it functioning on my PC.

How do you have programs install on the SSD if the OS is not on there? Will things function properly without a Program Files folder?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Yes. You can install applications anywhere. During the install, select Custom or Advanced, and pick a spot on the SSD. Maybe create a top level folder - MyApps or something like that. Choose that as the install location. Just to keep them all in the same place.

But having the SSD as the boot drive (OS plus applications) is the best course of action.
 
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gijoe985

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Jul 25, 2013
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Well, I have an external HD as well. I need to go back and read some more tutorials on this. I hadnt dug too deep because I wasn't sure what to do without the OS code.

Back to one of my other questions, is it possible to just install programs and not the OS?
 
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urbanrider

urbanrider

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Feb 13, 2012
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Just migrate your HDD data to your SSD drive. No need to reinstall windows. I’ve used EaseUS Todo Backups Clone utility. There are a bunch of different ways to do it but essentially it boils down to:

1. Shrink your HDD so that it will fit on your new SSD. This generally entails moving all pictures, movies, etc onto an external.
2. Clone your HDD onto the SSD with your program of choice.
3. Boot up your computer and choose your SSD as the boot disk, or just unplug the HDD for now.
4. Often you will have to repair your OS after doing this, so either make a repair disk or have a copy of your version of windows (these can be legally downloaded from Microsoft)
5. Once everything is confirmed up and running, you can erase your HDD and use it as more storage.


Heres a quick article I read on Lifehacker to do mine a few months ago.
http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid+state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows

As for your original question about only installing programs on your SSD if you don’t migrate your OS to it. Some programs will let you select the install location, others won’t. Obviously it’s ideal to have both your OS and programs on the SSD, but sometimes due to space restrictions this isn’t feasible.
 
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floydo

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Jul 25, 2013
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