Migrating only windows 10 to samsung 850 evo from hdd

HennieP

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Oct 13, 2015
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Tomorrow I am getting my Samsung 850 evo 240GB SSD.
I am currently running Windows 10 from a old HDD as my main hard drive and would like to migrate only the OS(Windows 10) to my Solid State Drive.
The reason for this is because I don't want any unnecessary programs copied from my current HDD to my new SSD. My HDD has obviously also a bigger capacity.

Is it possible to migrate only the OS, without making use of a Windows installation CD?
What would be the steps if I had to migrate it myself using the samsung migrating software?
I also dont have a USB to Sata cable so I would have to connect it inside of my desktop computer right?

Thanks
 
Solution
It depends.
Is your windows partition separate from data partition?
What is size/used space of your windows partition?
Is used space smaller than your new SSD drive?

If used space is larger than new SSD, then you'll need to delete data/ uninstall software to reduce used space.
Only after that you can clone windows partition to new SSD drive.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Is it possible to migrate only the OS...

No. I've seen a couple of applications that purport to be able to do this. No actual reports of them actually doing it reliably.

1. How much total used space is on the existing HDD or C partition?
2. Does the current system work to your satisfaction?
3, How much of that total used space is taken up with doc/music/funny cat video?
4. How much is taken up with Steam games?
5. Do you have another drive, with some free space?
 
The Samsung ssd migration tool has an option to exclude large files such as videos from the migration.
If that is not sufficient, you could uninstall the programs you do not want to move first.
And, a 500gb ssd is getting cheap these days, consider that too.
 

HennieP

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Oct 13, 2015
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10,530




 

HennieP

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Oct 13, 2015
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The total used space is no problem at the moment, i can move that to another empty drive before migration.
My problem still is, what would I have to do to migrate to the SSD. Because afterwards i would like to use my current main drive(old HDD) as a extra storage drive inside my tower but with the new SSD as my Main drive running the OS.
What do i have to do to ensure my PC doesnt start up from the OS on the HDD but from the SSD instead?

 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


OK...you have a 240GB SSD.
You need to get the total used space to well below 200GB.
Once done, now we can consider the migration process.

Macrium Reflect, or the Samsung Data Migration will do this.
I've used both.

Install it
Disconnect all other drives except your current HDD
Connect the SSD
Run the chosen tool
Follow the steps to migrate to the new drive
This is critical - Once the process is complete, power off and disconnect the old drive
Power up, and adjust the BIOS boot order if needed
See if it boots properly from the new SSD
Maybe reboot a couple of times, just to be sure.

Now, once you are satisfied that it works 100% off the new SSD, then you can reconnect the old drive.
Wipe it, and use it however you choose.

By 'wipe', not just format the C partition, but rather delete ALL partitions on it. Create one partition with the whole space. Format that and give it a drive letter.
 
Solution