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How to move an OS to an SSD

Tags:
  • SSD
  • Computers
  • Hard Drives
  • Windows 8
  • Samsung SSD
Last response: in Storage
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September 16, 2014 7:34:01 PM

I've had my computer for around six months and have recently wanted to add an SSD to improve boot up times and reduce loading waits. I have already ordered a 120 GB Samsung EVO to store Windows 8.1 and some games. However, I have come to realize that my hard drive has over 130GB worth of data. So my question is; is there a way I could move ONLY the OS and related needed files? If not, what are my options? For example, could I clone my data and move most files back to the HDD? Also, is there a way to install some games in one drive and some on the SSD?

Thanks in advance.

More about : move ssd

a b * Windows 8
September 16, 2014 7:36:25 PM

There's cloning software that only clones the main Windows installation, conveniently the EVO comes with this software.
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a b * Windows 8
September 16, 2014 7:40:05 PM

The Samsung EVO drives (I have several) have migration software that you can move the OS to the drive. It works ok - but I recommend taking your current hard drive out (unplug it), add the SSD in and install Windows and all the updates. When everything is done, plug your hard drive back in and move your library folders to point to the hard drive. If you want, you can leave the operating system on the hard drive (I usually remove it). You can install programs/games to either the SSD or the HDD.
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a b * Windows 8
September 16, 2014 7:40:53 PM

Then you need to wipe the drive with the 130gb to get the OS off it so you don't have 2 x OS drives.
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September 16, 2014 7:44:14 PM

ronintexas said:
When everything is done, plug your hard drive back in and move your library folders to point to the hard drive.


Sorry, can you rephrase that? I couldn't quite understand that part.
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September 16, 2014 7:45:16 PM

Also, what's the advantage to this method as opposed to using the program Samsung includes?
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a b * Windows 8
September 16, 2014 8:20:22 PM

Windows 8.1 makes changes to the BIOS and operating system (it detects the drive is an SSD) and optimizes it. The migration software does some of this, but I believe the performance of the drive is better when you install the OS from scratch.

As for the library folders - these are the "music", "documents", "videos", "pictures", etc.... that are located in c:\users\%username%\

If you open those folders, you can right click on the folder and simply change the location from C:\..... to D:\..... (i.e. old location c:\users\day327\documents - new location d:\users\day327\documents).
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September 16, 2014 8:33:14 PM

Oh okay, thank you for clarifying. But is the performance gap a lot? Between a clean install and cloning the OS? It just so happens that I got the Windows 8 copy as an electronic copy which I lost access to (lost) so that option might not be possible, although I might be able to find it. Is it worth the trouble?
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a b * Windows 8
September 16, 2014 8:59:34 PM

If you have the product key - you can download it from Microsoft....I ran the migration on 2 machines - 1 worked pretty good (after a bit of time I reinstalled the OS and it runs about 10-20% faster) and the other one never completed - so I had to reinstall the OS.
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a b * Windows 8
September 16, 2014 9:00:22 PM

Between reinstalling Windows and all your programs - it could take a lot of time - where the migration should take about 1 hour....a lot of people have had success with it.
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September 16, 2014 9:17:26 PM

So reinstalling the OS gives it a little boost in speed but it also takes more time to do?
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a b * Windows 8
September 16, 2014 9:18:35 PM

Quite a bit more time.....Installing Windows 8, then 8.1 update and updates, plus installing your programs - usually 6-8 hours or more.....
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September 16, 2014 9:30:37 PM

Oh dang... Well, I think I'll just use Samsung's method, it's my first time doing something like this so I'll go the safe route. I'll definitely try the other method when I have more experience and if the opportunity comes though. Thank you for your help!
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