Migrate to SSD without losing software?

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Hi, sorry if this has been asked before but I recently got an SSD and want to put my OS on it. I've heard that the best thing to do is a fresh install on the SSD which I can do, but then I'll have the OS also on my HDD, with all of my software on it.

Is there a way I can delete the OS off of my HDD but keep all software still installed? Or would it be better to clone everything from my HDD to SSD? But in that case I'd only want my OS and programs.

Cheers.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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1. What size is the new SSD?
2. How much total used space is on the current C drive or partition?
3. How much of that is doc/music/funny cat videos?
4. How much of that is Steam games?
5. Do you have another drive (either internal or external)?
 
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asukafan2001

asukafan2001

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If it were me, i'd install windows on the SSD. Then just adjust the boot order so pc boots from the ssd before the old hard drive. That way you can just move over any applicable files you want to the ssd.

The real question about programs is how many programs are you talking about? if its just 1 to 5 programs id just reinstall. If you're going to have spend hours upon hours reinstalling then cloning maybe a better option assuming you have enough space on the SSD.
 
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1. 250GB
2. 500GB
3. 29GB
4. Steam Games on other HDD.
5. Yep with Steam games on it. (Also 1tb)

Edit: I have 430gb free on 2nd drive also.
 
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USAFRet

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If you can reduce the C partition to below 200GB, you may be a candidate for cloning from one drive to the other.

Otherwise, clean install of the OS on the new drive.

What OS is it?
 
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I have quite a few programs, probably like 40 and some are a fairly big size too (such as Photoshop & 3D modelling software).



Windows 10, if I re-install on the new drive will I just be able to click & drag program files to the new drive?
 
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Yeah it probably would, but how do I strip this down? If I copy my Documents to my 2nd HDD then that only gets rid of 29gb, are there other junk files which are hidden in the OS folders?
 
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USAFRet

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You have to analyze exactly what is on that drive.
Install and run WinDirStat, and lets have a look.
 
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I'll give it a go now, cheers.
 
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Here's the screenshot of what came up, looks like it's mainly program files. Also I can delete the 71gb of video it's just footage from games. http://prntscr.com/bc2vwd

Edit: also just realised 25% of the entire drive is Origin Games, I'll start moving stuff :)
 
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USAFRet

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This is why we look and analyze.
70+GB of game video, 60GB of game addons....
Move that, and you're almost there.
 
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Yeah I worked it out and if my math is correct I can get it down to 200gb, which would be great because then I have room for anything other small things I'll put on there progressively
 
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