Can you remove Windows 7 without losing files/data?

Haland

Reputable
Feb 22, 2014
4
0
4,510
I would like to start by saying this may be a really stupid and beginner question.
I have an Alienware Aurora R3(inb4 AW sucks, etc., etc.), and due to my first desktop being an AW I have little knowledge on most things. However, I have recently been trying to get into the technical scene.
I have bought a Samsung 840 EVO SSD (120GB) and I have decided to try and remove W7 from my x2 HDD (500GB in Raid 0) and put it on my SSD for a quicker boot and shutdown speed.
Long story short, I don't know how to do this. Also, in the past I have always remembered having lost EVERY file if I had uninstalled windows. Is there a way around this? Or did I just blindly check boxes and missed the possibility to save all of my data?

TL;DR -
How can I un-install windows 7 from an HDD and put it onto an SSD without having to re-buy it? And do I have to lose all of my files/data on my drives if I un-install w7?
Sorry for the beginner level questions, and thanks to any and all who answer.
 
Solution
Sorry for the beginner level questions, and thanks to any and all who answer.
Don't be sorry. We all had to start somewhere.

Ideally, you would save all your data files to a secondary (backup) location and then uninstall (format) the drive. Actually, given that this is a bootable RAID array, this may be your only option. Depending on how much data is currently on your RAID array, you may be able to pare down (delete/move) files to get under the 120GB size of the SSD and then clone Windows to the new drive.

-Wolf sends

Wolfshadw

Titan
Moderator
Sorry for the beginner level questions, and thanks to any and all who answer.
Don't be sorry. We all had to start somewhere.

Ideally, you would save all your data files to a secondary (backup) location and then uninstall (format) the drive. Actually, given that this is a bootable RAID array, this may be your only option. Depending on how much data is currently on your RAID array, you may be able to pare down (delete/move) files to get under the 120GB size of the SSD and then clone Windows to the new drive.

-Wolf sends
 
Solution

ajr42

Honorable
Dec 27, 2013
35
0
10,560
Yeah it is good idea to use third party backup software to backup your files first. You will then need to reinstall windows 7 on your new SSD drive. If you have a license key with your PC you just input the license key when you reinstall windows. I recommend this backup recovery software which is simple to use http://www.allpcstuff.com/acronis-true-image-2014-software-review/

Hope this helps
Anthony