Boot drive->secondary drive without re-formatting to avoid copy-pasting movies and steam library?

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tmoel1

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I'm upgrading computers, and going from a 1tb HDD to a new 500gb SSD, and plan on using the original HDD as just a storage drive, mostly for media. However, if I simply leave it as is, put a new install of windows on my new SSD ad set to primary boot drive, and then copy over some program files (eg games) internally, can I then simply delete all traces of windows and program files/data off the HDD and keep on using it, maybe with a de-frag or something? I'm trying to avoid copying it all to an external device then back again as that's a bit of a pain.

Thanks for reading.
 
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deeznutsforpresident2016
I believe it should. If so, you should be able to delete the windows, system, x86 (etc.) on the hard drive as long as you have windows properly installed on the ssd, and the ssd as first boot priority. I would give it a try. It should work. I dont see why not
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deeznutsforpresident2016

deeznutsforpresident2016

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I believe there are some cloning programs out there that offer complete cloning of a hdd to an ssd that does not copy over the os. I have heard that is possible, but im not sure what programs would be able to do that. You'll have to look into that yourself
 
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tmoel1

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Thanks, but I was hoping to do a new (clean) install of windows on the SSD, and simply have both devices plugged in and internally copy and paste just my steam library, really. I'm just wondering if having residual windows/program files on the original drive would prove to be an issue before I can delete them off? Or if the only way to truly delete them is a re-format?
 
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deeznutsforpresident2016

deeznutsforpresident2016

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I think you should be able to have them both plugged in at the same time. Here is what I think would work. 1. install windows on new ssd before plugging in the hdd. 2. then as windows is install on the new ssd, you need to make sure the boot priority is set to the ssd first. 3. plug in hdd, making sure again that it isnt 1st in the boot priority. 4. now you should be able to go into your hdd and copy your steam files into your ssd. 5. after this is finished I would then wipe the completely with whatever program you choose to use. 6. then format it just as a storage drive. I hope that is correct solution
 
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tmoel1

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Would it work if I followed that up to step 5 but instead of wiping the drive, manually delete all of the unwanted data folder by folder and keep the media/documents etc I want to stay on the HDD?
 
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deeznutsforpresident2016

deeznutsforpresident2016

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Dec 26, 2015
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I believe it should. If so, you should be able to delete the windows, system, x86 (etc.) on the hard drive as long as you have windows properly installed on the ssd, and the ssd as first boot priority. I would give it a try. It should work. I dont see why not
 
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