Keep my HDD intact while reinstalling OS on my SSD instead?

lecookiee · Jul 18, 2015

Hi all, let me first say I am a total newbie at this and may need some thorough explanation.

All of my games, music, pictures, and downloads are currently on my HDD (2TB, 1.28TB free of 1.79TB) I recently purchased a SSD 256GB and I would like to install only Windows 8 on it, along with several games from Steam. However, my PC came pre-installed with Windows 8, so I don't have a CD / product key that came along with it. Is there a way to:

1) Keep all my files intact in my HDD without wiping it / cleaning it out, so I will not have to go through the hassle of completely re-installing all of my programs and games

2) 'Transfer' I guess? Or install the OS on my SSD instead, and clear it from my HDD

Thanks for any answers

Astralv · Jul 18, 2015

I was about to ask almost the same thing. There is Acronis True Image (and others) that I just bought on NewEgg. It supposed to make an image of the drive on any other drive, but I dont know how it works- I dont know if you supposed to store Image file on some external drive and then load it to the new drive or if it will store image on your new SSD. I am about to post this question. So you can make Image file to new SSD, or you can install OS Win 8 on the new drive. Your serial number should be somewhere on the computer case or in documentation that came with computer. There also a way to get key from BIOS- look it up on this forum (search) or on the internet. Image file for Win 8 is available on the Microsoft web site and may be on this forum. You will need your drivers from manufacturer web site if you install clean Win 8 on a new drive. You will not need drivers if you do image file.

Search

Keep my HDD intact while reinstalling OS on my SSD instead?

lecookiee

Reputable

Astralv

Distinguished

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page