Can I have my OS on a SSD but still access the content that on my HDD (Desktop)

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VApanthers51

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Jun 8, 2015
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I recently bought a 120GB SSD that I'd like to load my OS on to, but i already have my OS loaded onto a 1TB HDD from when i first started my build. Is there a way to move my OS? If so, how would i do so, and do i need to do any tampering with RAID setups? Any and all information is greatly appreciated. If there is something that i forgot to mention please say something about it in your reply's!!! Thank you guys!

Edit: If i have to do a clean reinstall of my OS will that flash my other drive? If it does can i make some sort of backup?
 
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It is best to do a clean install and wipe the current HDD in full. I would get a backup external drive and save the files that you want and wipe it.
When I do installs I use "UBCD" and DBAN wipe the drives. It will remove the master boot partition and the normal C: drive partition also. Then install the SSD and Windows with only it installed. Once Windows is up, install the other drives.

If you do not want to do all this you can try a migration tool but it is not worth it to me.
It is best to do a clean install and wipe the current HDD in full. I would get a backup external drive and save the files that you want and wipe it.
When I do installs I use "UBCD" and DBAN wipe the drives. It will remove the master boot partition and the normal C: drive partition also. Then install the SSD and Windows with only it installed. Once Windows is up, install the other drives.

If you do not want to do all this you can try a migration tool but it is not worth it to me.
 
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VApanthers51

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Jun 8, 2015
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Dang i was hoping to avoid having to reinstall a bunch of programs ive used almost 600 gigs on my 1tb drive... What about steam/orgin/blizzard games? ive read that there is a way to simply just change the installation directory of all the games or something like that.. i have a huge steam library so if there is a way to save as much as i can on the whole drive that would be awesome
 

Axinte

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Feb 22, 2017
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You can keep old os, install new one on ssd. You will be asked if you want to reinstall over the old one, or fresh install on different drive or partition. Old drive remains as it is. At startup you will can choose which OS will boot. Programs must be reinstalled. You can backup the old one, I use Norton Ghost. other one is Acronis. The image saved can be restored at any moment later. Of course at restore, any change on hdd ... partition, will vanish. But what you have there, is huge. Image can be compressed, but you still need a similar storage for the image. And as it was mentioned, many programs can be migrated easy, or simply installed over the old install.

But for taking advantage of the ssd you need to see that working folders, like cache are on ssd.
 
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