How can I swap my current hard drive into a D drive when I install my new SSD

jklm15

Commendable
Jul 23, 2016
5
0
1,510
I'm soon to be getting a SSD so that it boots my computer from it. Is it possible to make it so that my current C drive can be switched to a data drive?
 
Solution
Are you planning to do a clone operation for this new SSD, or a clean install of the OS?

Either way, at the end of the process, simply delete all partitions from the HDD. The OS drive (the SSD) will be the C, and other drives will have other drive letters.

For a clean install on the SSD:
HAve only the SSD connected
Boot from your install media (which OS is this?)
Install on that drive

Later, reconnect the old HDD and wipe all the partitions. Use it as needed

For a cloning operation, from old HDD to new SSD, do this:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a...

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Are you planning to do a clone operation for this new SSD, or a clean install of the OS?

Either way, at the end of the process, simply delete all partitions from the HDD. The OS drive (the SSD) will be the C, and other drives will have other drive letters.

For a clean install on the SSD:
HAve only the SSD connected
Boot from your install media (which OS is this?)
Install on that drive

Later, reconnect the old HDD and wipe all the partitions. Use it as needed

For a cloning operation, from old HDD to new SSD, do this:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the original boot partitions, here:
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
-----------------------------
 
Solution

jklm15

Commendable
Jul 23, 2016
5
0
1,510


My current OS is Windows 7 and the new one is Windows 10 and i'm going to do a clean install. For all the programs that I've installed through the C drive will i be able to put them onto my SSD or will i have to reinstall them completely?
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


You'll have to do a reinstall of all your applications.
 

jklm15

Commendable
Jul 23, 2016
5
0
1,510


Ok. Thank you for your help! :)