Installing an SSD as an upgrade help

OCMAD · Jul 25, 2014

I currently have a WD caviar green 1tb as my only hardrive with Windows, all my files, software (everything on it). I have purchased a Samsung 840 EVO 120GB Solid State Drive. I plan to have Windows running on the SSD along with my main programs.

What is the best way of setting this up? Install the SSD, unplug the HDD and reinstall windows over the top? When I plug my HDD back in will all my files still be there including my desktop arrangement?

Thanks in advance!

USAFRet · Jul 25, 2014

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

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

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 · Jul 25, 2014

USAFRet :

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 · Jul 25, 2014

OCMAD :

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 · Jul 25, 2014

USAFRet :

OCMAD :

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.

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?

USAFRet · Jul 25, 2014

OCMAD :

It's not required, but preferable. The old drive will also have the System Reserved (boot) partition. That doesn't go away with a simple 'delete'.
Better to start with a known clean drive, rather that 'who knows what'...

OCMAD · Jul 25, 2014

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

USAFRet · Jul 25, 2014

OCMAD :

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 · Jul 25, 2014

USAFRet :

How do you format the whole drive?

USAFRet · Jul 25, 2014

OCMAD :

While in Disk Management, right click, select Format.
Be sure of what physical drive you are doing this to.

OCMAD · Jul 25, 2014

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 · Jul 25, 2014

OCMAD :

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

OCMAD · Jul 26, 2014

I'm struggling to format my hard drive... When I write click the drive I want to format the format button is dull and I cannot click it, this can be seen in the image here https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0ifV2PSaK86RUJPMVhQRmlxY00/edit?usp=sharing

The system Reserve however does allow me to format it but I am not sure if this is what I need to format.

OCMAD · Jul 26, 2014

USAFRet :

I'm struggling to format my hard drive... When I write click the drive I want to format the format button is dull and I cannot click it, this can be seen in the image here https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0ifV2PSaK86RUJPMVhQRm...

The system Reserve however does allow me to format it but I am not sure if this is what I need to format.

OCMAD · Jul 26, 2014

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

USAFRet · Jul 26, 2014

OCMAD :

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

OCMAD · Jul 26, 2014

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 · Jul 26, 2014

USAFRet :

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?

USAFRet · Jul 26, 2014

OCMAD :

See this:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

The Libraries can save to wherever you want. The above outlines how to do it.

OCMAD · Jul 26, 2014

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

USAFRet · Jul 26, 2014

OCMAD :

What do you mean 'does not work for the desktop' ?
The stuff on your 'desktop' lives in your 'User' space. Or for another user, in their User space.
You can save/move that stuff elsewhere, and just make a shortcut.

OCMAD · Jul 27, 2014

I solved the problem with another solution but thanks anyway.

Installing an SSD as an upgrade help

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