Installing an SSD as an upgrade help

USAFRet said:

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Install the SSD, unplug the HDD and reinstall windows over the top?

Yes. Clean install on the SSD, with only the SSD connected.

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When I plug my HDD back in will all my files still be there including my desktop arrangement?

No.
You will be booting from the brand new install on the SSD. It knows nothing about whatever lives in your previous install on the HDD. Your 'desktop' will be that of a brand new installation.
ALL of your applications will need to be reinstalled again.

Your 'files' (docs/music/movies/etc) still exist on the old drive, but they are now contained inside C/Users/OldGuy/...
Rather than C/Users/NewGuy... (on the SSD)

OCMAD said:

Can I still reinstall onto the HDD? Can files from the SSD still be shown on the desktop without putting the files onto the SSD?

USAFRet said:

OCMAD said:

Can I still reinstall onto the HDD? Can files from the SSD still be shown on the desktop without putting the files onto the SSD?

The way it works is:
SSD = OS and probably most of your applications. Maybe not games.
HDD = all the other stuff that doesn't benefit from the SSD speed.

2 drives, 2 drive letters.
Applications and games can be installed on whichever drive you want. They will ALL show up in Start, or a desktop shortcut. After you install them.
Windows does not care, but you must tell it where during the individual application install.

Ideally (and this depends on what and how much stuff you have), you save all personal files somewhere else. External drive maybe.
Collect all your application install files and disks. Along with whatever serial numbers are needed
Connect only the SSD
Install Windows to the SSD
Install whatever drivers your hardware needs
Let Windows do whatever updates it wants to
Now we connect the HDD.
Since you have all your personal stuff copied elsewhere and offline, wipe the old HDD
Now we can start to install all your applications. Most on the SSD, some larger things (games) on the HDD.
Copy your personal files from the external to wherever you want them.

OCMAD said:

Sorry I know very little; I am 14. Why do I need to wipe the old HDD, can't I just remove stuff from it that is now on the SSD?

OCMAD said:

Sounds like a good plan. I will try this when my SSD arrives. What is the best way to format my old HDD?

USAFRet said:

OCMAD said:

Sounds like a good plan. I will try this when my SSD arrives. What is the best way to format my old HDD?

Easiest is in Disk Management. Select each partition, delete. Then format the whole drive and give it a drive letter.
Be absolutely sure you have anything you want off that drive.

OCMAD said:

USAFRet said:

OCMAD said:

Sounds like a good plan. I will try this when my SSD arrives. What is the best way to format my old HDD?

Easiest is in Disk Management. Select each partition, delete. Then format the whole drive and give it a drive letter.
Be absolutely sure you have anything you want off that drive.

How do you format the whole drive?

OCMAD said:

Can I simply copy and paste the files from the HDD onto the external hard drive and then copy and paste them back onto the HDD once formatted?

USAFRet said:

OCMAD said:

Can I simply copy and paste the files from the HDD onto the external hard drive and then copy and paste them back onto the HDD once formatted?

Your 'files', yes. .mp3, .jpg, .doc....
Your applications, no. They need to be actually reinstalled.

OCMAD said:

Wait, it's because my ssd is not installed yet! Will post how I get on.

USAFRet said:

OCMAD said:

Wait, it's because my ssd is not installed yet! Will post how I get on.

Well, yes. You can't format the C drive from within the same running OS.
You're asking Windows to kill itself.

OCMAD said:

USAFRet said:

OCMAD said:

Wait, it's because my ssd is not installed yet! Will post how I get on.

Well, yes. You can't format the C drive from within the same running OS.
You're asking Windows to kill itself.

Ok, I have finished all of the steps including formatting the HDD. I have noticed though that the SSD has all of the pre-made folder, e.g. Downloads, Desktop, Favourites, My Music, My Documents, My Videos, etc. I want these folders to be stored on the HDD instead, what is the best way to transfer these folders?

OCMAD said:

Thanks, worked well. This does not seem to work for the desktop... Any ideas?