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Moving just the operating system to an SSD

Tags:
  • SSD
  • Storage
  • Hard Drives
  • Operating Systems
  • Steam
Last response: in Storage
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October 15, 2014 11:16:17 AM

I've currently got a 1TB HDD that I'm usinng for everything on my PC (OS, programs, steam games etc) and I've just ordered an 256GB SSD. I was wonder what's the best way to have just my operating system, steam and steam games on the SSD and everything else (programs, my documents) on the HDD.

From doing a bit of reading I've found that its better to do a fresh install than to clone the OS but is there anything else that would help streamline the process? The SSD is a 256GB Crucial MX100 if anyone's wondering.

Many thanks

More about : moving operating system ssd

October 15, 2014 11:35:02 AM

clutchc said:
You can clone the SSD from the HDD if there isn't too much stuff on the HDD. And then uninstall/delete/move the unnecessary stuff: http://www.howtogeek.com/97242/how-to-migrate-windows-7...
Steam games can be moved using this method: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=741...
If you have a lot, they'd be best on the mechanical drive anyway.


I have about 150GB of games installed so that and the OS will easily fit. The trouble is that I have about 600GB total on the HDD so I can't clone the entire thing onto the SSD
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a b G Storage
October 15, 2014 11:43:52 AM

I know of no way to clone the OS alone and still have it work with the previously installed apps/games.
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October 15, 2014 11:46:01 AM

clutchc said:
I know of no way to clone the OS alone and still have it work with the previously installed apps/games.


Is it possible to have Program Files (x86) on another drive to the OS?
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a b G Storage
October 15, 2014 11:50:27 AM

The Win installation pgm builds the "official" Program Files (x86) folder on the drive the OS is on. But you can easily make your own programs folder afterwards on another drive and direct any apps installation to install to it instead.
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October 15, 2014 11:54:58 AM

clutchc said:
The Win installation pgm builds the "official" Program Files (x86) folder on the drive the OS is on. But you can easily make your own programs folder afterwards on another drive and direct any apps installation to install to it instead.


Okay thank you, I have an idea of how I'm gonna do this now.
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October 15, 2014 12:22:26 PM

I think your best bet would be to install fresh on the SSD, but if you have another HDD or network drive that you could use temporarily you could move your docs, etc. to that. Then, once you are below the size of the SSD, clone the HDD, then move your docs back to the HDD.
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October 15, 2014 12:25:23 PM

mhirons said:
I think your best bet would be to install fresh on the SSD, but if you have another HDD or network drive that you could use temporarily you could move your docs, etc. to that. Then, once you are below the size of the SSD, clone the HDD, then move your docs back to the HDD.


How advisable is it to do a fresh install? Is it you can do it if you like or the highly recommended way of doing it.
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a b G Storage
October 15, 2014 12:32:18 PM

It is always recommended over a clone. SSds work a bit differently than HHDs. They require some tweaks to get the best performance form them.
http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/solid-state-drive-...
Also, a clean install will assure that the drive has the correct 4K partition alignment. This is a good guide for installing Win7 to a SSD. There is also a link to Win8 if you have that. http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-inst...
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