Can I just move the "Windows" folder from my HDD to my SSD

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CaptainChrisNo1

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I just bought an Adata SP550 240GB ssd, and want to move my os and my most used programs onto it. I've done a fair bit of research and heard lots about cloning and clean installs and even buying a $15 software to copy over whatever I select. This all sounds like alot of hard work and fuss when the windows folder is just there on my HDD. Can't I just move it over? Thanks.
 
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Sorry, no. Many files are inter-related and in other folders like the Program Files and Program Data folders. Some of the most critical files cannot be copied because they will sat the file is in use by another process, etc. There are many reasons and hundreds of files.

Depending on your version of Windows a fresh install would also require applying all of the updates for that version but it is a good idea. The 2nd best would be cloning the disk. Cloning software is special software that gets around all of the problems of copying hidden, system, and protected files by actually copying disk sectors rather than the files themselves.
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thx1138v2

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Sorry, no. Many files are inter-related and in other folders like the Program Files and Program Data folders. Some of the most critical files cannot be copied because they will sat the file is in use by another process, etc. There are many reasons and hundreds of files.

Depending on your version of Windows a fresh install would also require applying all of the updates for that version but it is a good idea. The 2nd best would be cloning the disk. Cloning software is special software that gets around all of the problems of copying hidden, system, and protected files by actually copying disk sectors rather than the files themselves.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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No, not even a little bit. Doesn't work that way.

If you want to clone things to the new SSD, we can investigate how, if you wish.
 
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CaptainChrisNo1

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My hard drive came with windows pre-installed, so would a fresh install involve me buying windows again? What is a fresh install?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Probably not, but what OS is this?

To move from an HDD to an SSD, there are two basic methods
Clean install.
This is starting from scratch. You would need to install the OS, and all of your applications, drivers, etc.
This always works

Cloning.
This involves, via special software, copying everything (mostly) from the current HDD to the new SSD.
This requires the current used space on the C drive be significantly smaller than the new SSD>
In your case, it needs to be no more than 200GB actual used space.
This usually works.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Was this a preinstalled OS, or something you bought and installed?
Discover your license key first. Belarc Advisor can find it, along with a lot more.
Run that, and write your license key down. You may need it.

And no, you don't have to pay anything. You already did...:)
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Go to the Microsoft site I linked above.
Download the ISO and create your own USB or DVD.

If you're going for a whole new install on the new SSD, realize that your system is starting from a blank slate. A clean OS.
All your drivers, applications, settings, etc, etc...all need to be reinstalled.

Prepare for this.
 
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CaptainChrisNo1

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Thanks I'll try it. What do you mean by prepare though? And so I should start with a formatted SSD? Will my HDD be affected?

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Prepare:
Document all your username/passwords.
Find and save all the serial numbers for any games or applications.
Export all the Favorites and settings from your browser(s)

Stuff like that.
 
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CaptainChrisNo1

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Well my browser and games are all still on my HDD so it's fine?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Games (Steam, mostly) are probably OK on the HDD>
You will have to reinstall the Steam client, and then tell it where those games live
Browser needs to be reinstalled. Along with any other applications.

Now...your current game location will be just a little bit problematic. The SteamApps folder lives inside your current OS install.
You'll need to move that to its own folder tree, because eventually you are going to wipe out that old OS install.

This is one of the things that falls under "Prepare". You are starting with a blank OS that knows nothing about anything you had installed previously.
 
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CaptainChrisNo1

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I'll try it all tomorrow and back up my whole HDD to a second hdd
 
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CaptainChrisNo1

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I'm downloading belrac advisor now. What should I do about my browser? I can't download anything if my browser isn't installed. Can't I just leave everything on my HDD and delete the specific things once I have my os on my ssd? Can't I have my os on two storage devices at once? If so how do I get it to boot off my SSD and not HDD? Do I need to format my SSD before hand?
 
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