SSD transition from HDD

flanders25 · Apr 6, 2014

So, I recently built my own pc. I started with a 500GB HDD and loaded my OS (windows 7) on it. I filled it up with games. So I got another. This time a 2tb. I have about 500gbs of steam games on that. Now I want to make a boot drive. I purchased a Samsung 120gb ssd. Now I am wondering, will I have to reinstall everything? I was thinking I could just uninstall the OS off the 500gb, and reinstall it on the ssd then keep the 2 other HDDS in without deleting anything else like my games. Would windows recognize my games on those HDDS if I transferred the OS to an SSD? They are are from steam and orgin ( not sure if that makes any difference.) Please give me a solid answer and steps on how to do everything, or if that wouldn't work another way to do it. Thanks.

jnewegger23 · Apr 6, 2014

The easiest (most reliable) solution I can think of but takes an extra step is to use your 2 HDD in the same format you would for a separate OS drive (which will be your ssd eventually) and the other hdd.

Step 1 Setup your 500gb as the OS only drive. Step 2 Point all data (games) to the 2TB drive. Step 3 Clone your 500GB OS only drive to your 120GB ssd; I use Acronis Premium and the cloning tool scales everything perfectly for you. After system shuts down and completes cloning process, disconnect your 500gb drive and turn your system back on. Your system should be running perfectly. Reconnect your 500GB and use that as a tertiary drive, internal back or whatever you want.

Summary: You will have your SSD with OS only (C Drive), 2TB (D Drive), and 500GB (E Drive). The letters may or may not match (of course the ssd will be "C" for sure though). The 2TB should hold all of your current game data etc. You should be now good to go!

Notes: If you want to use freeware make sure you do your homework. I paid the $40 for Acronis Premium 2013 when it was on sale and have enjoyed it. Just sharing what I've done for myself and for customers.

Have fun and good luck!

There may be easier or faster ways to do this and as I'm thinking about it, depending on how you already have things setup this way I'm recommending may be more work for you than it's worth if someone else has been through a similar situation and can recommend what they'd do by all means remain open that instead. However, this said, it should work flawlessly but it's up to you to decide whether it's too hard (in terms of time cost) versus just a fresh install on the SSD and just redirecting everything (pointing to correct drive paths etc.) may be easier or what you'll end up doing. Not sure how you have it all right now but if I'm reading this right, my recommendation shouldn't be too difficult on you.

photonboy · Apr 6, 2014

Hi,
No, you do NOT have to reinstall everything. Luckily there's a method to keep all your Steam games.

It goes something like THIS:
1) Install Windows to the SSD
2) Install STEAM again (but choose the Hard Drive but not the folder you already used. For example, "E:\STEAM")
3) CUT and PASTE your "Steamapps" folder into the new Steam folder.

Before starting a game, make sure to "verify the local content" (can Google for how).

Here's the official link, but I did exactly the above:
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

flanders25 · Apr 6, 2014

Both these ways sound great. I appreciate the responses. I do not have any cloning software but can I just make back up Image and re-install from that? Thanks!

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