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Moving Windows from HDD to SSD drive question

Tags:
  • Hard Drives
  • Windows
  • Boot
  • Systems
  • SSD
  • Steam
Last response: in Systems
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May 11, 2014 7:12:34 AM

Hi i'm going to buy a ssd, and i want to make it my boot drive. I know tou can do that, but is there a way so it leaves my steam games on the 1tb hdd. If not, is there a way to move steam to the hdd once I clone the boot drive to the ssd?

More about : moving windows hdd ssd drive question

May 11, 2014 9:11:28 AM

USAFRet said:
I always recommend a fresh install on a new SSD. Far less chance of fail.

But for moving Steam games, go here:
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=741...


Wait, but if I do a fresh install, I lose all my files :(  ! Can't I just use a program that comes with an ssd that aligns the hdd and the ssd. Also, how do you backup windows?
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May 11, 2014 9:22:59 AM

If you're installing on a new drive (the SSD), you don't 'lose' anything. It still exists on the HDD.
The migration usually works. Usually. But just from reading in here, it ends up badly at a far greater rate than just a fresh reinstall.
Also, the existing install on the HDD is old. Why bring all that old crap over to the new SSD?

But....if you want to do the migration, there are a few consideration to look into first.

Size of the SSD.
Size and occupied space on the existing HDD.
You must shrink the partition of the existing C to below that of the SSD. For instance, for a 120GB SSD, make it just under 111GB. For a 256GB SSD, somewhere around 220GB.

As far as leaving your Steam games on the HDD....I know of no application that will move "everything but..."
Either:
Windows Only (the only application I've seen that does this is non-free)
Everything but your Docs folder tree
Everything in that partition
Everything on the drive.

There is no checkbox function to say 'this, but not that'

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May 11, 2014 9:24:15 AM

For 'backing up Windows' - I just use one of the same clone/migration tools to create an image. Save that image elsewhere. In case of need, boot from the imaging CD, point it at the saved image and a new drive. Done.
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May 11, 2014 10:40:09 AM

USAFRet said:
If you're installing on a new drive (the SSD), you don't 'lose' anything. It still exists on the HDD.
The migration usually works. Usually. But just from reading in here, it ends up badly at a far greater rate than just a fresh reinstall.
Also, the existing install on the HDD is old. Why bring all that old crap over to the new SSD?

But....if you want to do the migration, there are a few consideration to look into first.

Size of the SSD.
Size and occupied space on the existing HDD.
You must shrink the partition of the existing C to below that of the SSD. For instance, for a 120GB SSD, make it just under 111GB. For a 256GB SSD, somewhere around 220GB.

As far as leaving your Steam games on the HDD....I know of no application that will move "everything but..."
Either:
Windows Only (the only application I've seen that does this is non-free)
Everything but your Docs folder tree
Everything in that partition
Everything on the drive.

There is no checkbox function to say 'this, but not that'



USAFRet said:
For 'backing up Windows' - I just use one of the same clone/migration tools to create an image. Save that image elsewhere. In case of need, boot from the imaging CD, point it at the saved image and a new drive. Done.


Alright, thanks for all the help. So, when i do get an ssd, will I notice improvements besides a reduced boot time?
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May 11, 2014 10:46:28 AM

jareDrake13 said:

Alright, thanks for all the help. So, when i do get an ssd, will I notice improvements besides a reduced boot time?


Everything that lives on the SSD will feel (and be) much snappier. A complex MS Office file that lives on an HDD and takes 6 seconds to open might take 0.5 seconds if it lives on an SSD.
For a game that is installed on the SSD, load times between level maps will generally be faster.
Reduced heat.
Reduced noise.
And the current and future crop of consumer level SSD's are proving to be more reliable than HDD's.
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