Just got new SSD, how to migrate OS to it while keeping my old HDD for storage?

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infinity323

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Jul 5, 2016
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I just got a new Samsung 850 EVO SSD. I would like to make it my boot drive and move my OS on there, while leaving my existing WD Blue HDD as my storage drive. Is this possible without having to reinstall Windows?

I was wondering if I could just migrate both the data and OS on the HDD to the SSD (it should fit) and maybe transfer the data only back to the HDD somehow?
 
Solution
USAFRet


What size is the new SSD, and how much total used space is on the current C drive or partition?

If things fit, 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...
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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What size is the new SSD, and how much total used space is on the current C drive or partition?

If things fit, 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
-----------------------------
 
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Solution
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,476
17,928
184,590
Later, to utilize the HDD for 'storage', these:

Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

For Steam games:

In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder
5RXQa0Y.jpg

 
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