Windows came preinstalled on an ssd, buying ssd to replace hdd, what to do about preinstalled ssd?

DeniedSpaghetti

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Sep 8, 2014
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Hello!
So here's my situation, my HDD is failing, I get random "restart to repair driver errors" in the action center, freezes onto BSOD, errors found with chkdsk.
Apparently on my Asus laptop, the OS is installed in a 24gb SSD.
Here's my plan:
Download Windows ISO from Microsoft and make a bootable USB off that.
Replace HDD with SSD, boot into BIOS, set boot from USB, install Windows in the blank SSD, reboot into BIOS and set boot from the new SSD.
Will this work?
What about the old 28gb ssd?
I'm pretty skeptical about the preinstalled SSD since it's my first time doing something like this.
Should it go smoothly?
Will the 28gb SSD affect my laptop?
It keeps bugging me in the back of my head.
Is my process correct?
Thanks in advance guys.
 
Hey there, DeniedSpaghetti.

Are you completely sure that the OS is on that 24GB SSD? It sounds waaay to small to hold an OS. Is there a chance that this 24GB SSD might be set for caching?
About the Windows question. If your Windows is OEM (pre-installed when you got the laptop), you can migrate the OS to the new SSD by using cloning software. Another option is to create a bootable media (as you did) with exactly the same version of Windows you got your laptop with and use its activation code (which is usually on a sticker on the bottom side of the laptop) to activate it. On the other hand, if you have a retail copy of Windows, I'd recommend that you backup your personal data (if you haven't done so already), disconnect all drives except for the new SSD and install the OS. After that connect the other SSD and format it (use quick format as full format should never be used on an SSD) you want to have an extra 24GB partition.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD