Can I move Windows 10 from 1Tb HDD to 120Gb SSD and still use HDD?

SweatyPancakes · Nov 27, 2016

I recently bought a new 120Gb SSD from PNY. I've been using the WD Caviar Blue 1Tb for a while now and still want to use it, but I want to move Windows 10 from the HDD to SSD and still keep using my HDD. For this would I need to get the Windows 10 installation USB and do something, I'm very lost with all of this all I want is to move or reinstall my OS into the SSD and keep using my HDD. And what else besides the OS would you recommend for me to have on the SSD, thank you in advance

USAFRet · Nov 27, 2016

2 options:
Clean install of the OS on the new drive
This entails a reinstall of all your current applications

Clone from the old drive to the new 120GB
How much total used space is on the current C drive?
How much of that is Doc/Music/Video/Steam games?

SweatyPancakes · Nov 27, 2016

USAFRet :

There is 606Gb used on my current C drive... And I have 338.70 Gb used in only games from steam, around 90Gb on Origin games and around 40Gb on the free trials of games on Battle.net. I do not have music, 2.73Gb of video, and 2.54Gb of Documents. So basically it's mostly games and I'm planning on getting a new windows USB that has the installation because mine was an OEM and I changed my motherboard and other hardware so I lost it and got this unfixable error. So due to that error, I'm just buying another installation via USB but how do I clean install it into the SSD? Thanks again in advance

USAFRet · Nov 27, 2016

Clean install on the new SSD is pretty easy.
The only difference is to verify AHCI mode is enabled in the BIOS.

After that...
Have only the SSD connected.
Boot from your install media, USB or DVD.
Follow the instructions.
Enter the license code when it asks.

SweatyPancakes · Nov 27, 2016

USAFRet :

Seems simple enough and how can I verify if AHCI mode is enabled and then after installing Windows 10 onto the SSD do I just plug in my HDD back and if so can I just delete the Windows stuff off of my HDD?

USAFRet · Nov 27, 2016

SweatyPancakes :

When you power up, get into the BIOS settings.
Look around for the AHCI mode settings.

Deleting from your old HDD...
Ideally, you copy anything critical off that drive and wipe it completely. Then, copy stuff back.
Deleting just the Windows folder leaves a LOT of old crap behind.

SweatyPancakes · Nov 27, 2016

USAFRet :

Okay, so when I power up I look to see if the AHCI mode is enabled and then what? Or just see if it is activated and what does that mean? I don't have many important files so wiping the HDD seems like a good idea and how can I wipe it? I know how to back up some really necessary stuff the rest is just gone.

USAFRet · Nov 27, 2016

SweatyPancakes :

Why AHCI, here: http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Crucial-SSDs/Why-do-i-need-AHCI-with-a-SSD-Drive-Guide-Here-Crucial-AHCI-vs/td-p/57078

Yes, just verify it is enabled, or enable it if it isn't

For the HDD, ALL existing partitions need to go.
Read this to kill off the old boot partitions on that drive: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall

SweatyPancakes · Nov 27, 2016

USAFRet :

SweatyPancakes :

Why AHCI, here: http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Crucial-SSDs/Why-do-i-need-AHCI-with-a-SSD-Drive-Guide-Here-Crucial-AHCI-vs/td-p/57078

Yes, just verify it is enabled, or enable it if it isn't

For the HDD, ALL existing partitions need to go.
Read this to kill off the old boot partitions on that drive: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall

Okay thank you very much and final thing my SSD is still not Initialized I believe is the term should I do that and how can I do it. When I go to "This PC" in File Explorer it doesn't show under "Devices and drives" but it is detected because I've seen it under other places it just isn't Initialized...

USAFRet · Nov 27, 2016

SweatyPancakes :

USAFRet :

SweatyPancakes :

Why AHCI, here: http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Crucial-SSDs/Why-do-i-need-AHCI-with-a-SSD-Drive-Guide-Here-Crucial-AHCI-vs/td-p/57078

Yes, just verify it is enabled, or enable it if it isn't

For the HDD, ALL existing partitions need to go.
Read this to kill off the old boot partitions on that drive: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall

Okay thank you very much and final thing my SSD is still not Initialized I believe is the term should I do that and how can I do it. When I go to "This PC" in File Explorer it doesn't show under "Devices and drives" but it is detected because I've seen it under other places it just isn't Initialized...

Initialize it, then do the OS install thing.

SweatyPancakes · Nov 27, 2016

USAFRet :

SweatyPancakes :

USAFRet :

Okay thank you very much and final thing my SSD is still not Initialized I believe is the term should I do that and how can I do it. When I go to "This PC" in File Explorer it doesn't show under "Devices and drives" but it is detected because I've seen it under other places it just isn't Initialized...

Initialize it, then do the OS install thing.

Do I Initialize it as MBR or GPT?

USAFRet · Nov 27, 2016

SweatyPancakes :

GPT

SweatyPancakes · Nov 27, 2016

USAFRet :

Thank you now I am ready for the OS thingy and the rest

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