Adding SSD to existing PC

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bill721

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I didn't get a ssd initially so now I'm thinking of adding one. I'm working on reducing my C: drive to about 230gb of programs and files and then adding a 250 gig ssd. Then cloning the C: drive to the ssd and then formatting the C: HD and using it for additional programs and storage. A couple of question:
1. Has anyone done this and will it work. I will us Macrium Reflect to clone the ssd.
2. How much free space do I need on an SSD before loosing speed?

Thanks in advance for you help
 
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nukemaster
I have used that to clone drives in the past(as with many other alternatives for testing).

You have to ensure you clone the "system reserved" or uefi partition at the start of the drive as well.

When you are done you should test with the hard drive out to ensure everything is 100% before you erase the hard drive.

If you have extra room on the hard drive, I recommend shrinking the partition(from the end ONLY) that way you can store files that do not need to be cloned over.

In a worse case if you have issues booting with the SSD only(and the bios set to boot from it), you may need to edit its BCD file, but we will cross that bridge when/if we come to it.

When you are booting properly you can add the hard drive back and make sure the...
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
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I have used that to clone drives in the past(as with many other alternatives for testing).

You have to ensure you clone the "system reserved" or uefi partition at the start of the drive as well.

When you are done you should test with the hard drive out to ensure everything is 100% before you erase the hard drive.

If you have extra room on the hard drive, I recommend shrinking the partition(from the end ONLY) that way you can store files that do not need to be cloned over.

In a worse case if you have issues booting with the SSD only(and the bios set to boot from it), you may need to edit its BCD file, but we will cross that bridge when/if we come to it.

When you are booting properly you can add the hard drive back and make sure the bios is still booting from the SSD and clear out the Windows partition and move over your files to that new partition, remove the one you made before and extend the new "Files" partition to take the full drive.

Now you should be able to use the built in feature under c : \ user \ your login \ (each folder should have a Location tab under properties)to change the location of your folders(desktop\music\ect) to the hard drive(something like d : \ user name \ Documents).

I have sent many systems from HDD(and HDD + HDD) to HDD(personal files) + SSD without issues.
 
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bill721

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Looks like I will need to get a 500gb ssd since after reading that the 250 has 233 of usable space.... Yes I will clone the "system reserved" or uefi partition at the start of the drive as well.

Thank you
 
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bill721

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Just thought I would follow up and let you know my machine is running great. I got the Samsung EVO 500mb SSD installed it. Cloned it and it is amazing the speed increase. Thanks for all the info from everyone.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Enjoy the new setup. You may never want to go back to mechanical drives again.

It is still recommended to move your files over to the hard drive to keep more free space on it.

The Location tab makes it easy.
customlocations.png

 
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bill721

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Thank you for the information. I don't see a location tab when I look at folder properties? Is there something I need to do to have that option? I'm running windows 7 ultimate 64 bit
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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It only works under the c : \ Users \ your login. So it works for personal files.

To move other programs you can create a Juntion or symbolic link(these work over a network even) with mklink or use something like Junction Link Magic(it just makes junctions, but this is ok for most users).

Just do not mess with the links windows uses by default and only move programs/games you installed not parts of Windows as that can cause all kinds of issues.

I had made a guide for moving games before with that software. It works with most programs without much work. For a picky program, you may need to use robocopy to keep the security permissions/ect.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/294557-32-guide-move-software-games-drive-reinstalling
 
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