How do I transfer Windows from HDD to SSD?

nicky25

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Feb 11, 2013
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Currently I am running Windows 8 on a HDD and I am thinking about purchasing a SSD to run the os and keep the HDD to install my games. In order to install the os on the SSD how would I go about doing this? Could I also use the same product key that I currently have with the Windows I am running now?

Thanks!

Update* Looking to do a clean install and trying to figure out the best way to do that, Not so much looking to clone
 

emdea22

Distinguished
Re installing is not necessary and a waste of time imo.

Get hdd clone software - a few are free, just search google

If you have games on the same partition as windows move them to a second partition on your hdd

Clone the primary partition to the SSD

Format primary partition of your HDD

restart and thats it

- last two steps should be inverted but you get the point
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
2 options - clone or clean install.

Personally, I almost always recommend a clean install. Just reading threads in here, the clone operation seems to fail a LOT more than a fresh install.

1. Clone. Freely available tools. CloneZilla for instance, or whatever comes with your new drive.
Pros:
-You get your system just as it used to be, but way faster on the SSD
-Probably 'easier'
Cons:
-It does not always work 100% !
-Potentially more prep time. If your HDD used space is larger than the new SSD, you have to reduce that.
-Why port over all the old cruft from the old install?
-Potential performance issues, from the sectors not being aligned correctly.

2. Fresh install:
Pros:
-It is hard to screw it up
-You're starting from a clean slate.

Cons:
-You have to have all your application install files and disks, and whatever serial numbers they might need
-You have to reinstall all your applications. (Games maybe not)
 

whiteodian

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Apr 8, 2010
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18,790
I've used Macrium to accomplish a clone. You may want to defrag and do a lot of tidying up on the old drive as others have mentioned. Once you are done, format the old HDD, and re-purpose it for storage.
 

nicky25

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Feb 11, 2013
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10,530


If I use the reset windows feature in windows 8 and plug up my SSD, can i just install it on that and then format my hard drive?
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


No, it won't 'reset' to a different drive.
 


If you are wanting to do a clean install then nothing will be "transferred". Yes you can use the same product key, windows 8 does not make you purchase a new copy when you want to install on a new hard drive.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


OK then:
Gather whatever application installs and disks you need
Gather all the serial numbers, etc.
Save all your personal docs elsewhere
Have this stuff saved elsewhere and offline

Disconnect the old HDD
Connect the SSD
Boot from the install media and do the install
Install whatever drivers you need
Let Windows do its updates.
Activation - try it online. You might have to do it via the phone robot.
Verify the boot order (Remove the old HDD)
Now you can reconnect the old HDD and wipe it clean.
Assuming everything works, now you can reinstall whatever applications you use.