Can i install windows on a SSD even though windows is on my HDD?
- Thread starter Tmn1999
- Start date
- Mar 16, 2013
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A couple of options.
Clean install on the SSD
This means that you will have to reinstall all of your applications. You can't use them as they are on the old HDD
or
Clone from the old drive to the new SSD
This requires that the total used space on your current C drive or partition be below the size of the new SSD.
SO what size SSD did you get, and how much total used space is on your current C drive?
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,440
- 17,907
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Well then...clean install on the SSD is pretty much your only option.
In answer to your original question, yes.
Disconnect the HDD, install on the SSD.
Later, you want to wipe the HDD, and configure things to work with the new OS on the SSD.
What is taking up all that space on the HDD?
For the most part games so it is not a big deal if i need to wipe them. I think you can kinda see why i was seeking another solution so i didn't have to reinstall 1tb of games again. Now after i install windows on the SSD, what do i do from there. I know i need to wipe my hdd as you said but would i just need to plug it back in and straight wipe it?
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,440
- 17,907
- 184,590
I'm assuming that is the size of the used space of the SteamApps foler?
OK...Create a new top level folder on that drive
Call it SteamApps2
Copy everything from under your existing SteamApps folder to this new folder.
After you install the OS on the SSD, alnog with installing a new Steam client, you tell the Steam client about that location on the HDD
Thusly:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder
So now your new Steam client knows that as a valid location, and you can wipe everything else (Windows, etc) on that HDD without messing up those Steam games.
USAFRet :
I'm assuming that is the size of the used space of the SteamApps foler?
OK...Create a new top level folder on that drive
Call it SteamApps2
Copy everything from under your existing SteamApps folder to this new folder.
After you install the OS on the SSD, alnog with installing a new Steam client, you tell the Steam client about that location on the HDD
Thusly:
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder
So now your new Steam client knows that as a valid location, and you can wipe everything else (Windows, etc) on that HDD without messing up those Steam games.
How exaclty would i got about doing that. So after i install windows on the SSD and plug the HDD back in take me step by step from there.
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,440
- 17,907
- 184,590
Before you do anything with the SSD...
Copy that existing SteamApps for to the new SteamApps2 folder you create, as outlined above.
After you install the OS on the SSD, along with installing the Steam client on the SSD....then to the other steps to tell the new Steam client about that SteamApps2 folder location.
Okay let me run through this. So first i make space for the steamapps2 and move my games there. Then i unplug my harddrive and install windows on my SSD. Then i plug back in my SSD and show steam where the games have moved too. If im correct whats the next step.
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,440
- 17,907
- 184,590
Assuming you meant 'HDD' from that bolded....yes, but you're getting ahead of yourself.
1. Copy that Steam stuff to SteamApps2
2. Disconnect all drives except the new SSD
3. Boot from your install media, and install on the SSD
This may take some time, due to Windows updates, etc.
Also, install the drivers, Steam client, whatever other applications you use.
4. Once it is actually working properly on the SSD, and you have restarted a few times just to verify. And have verified the boot order in the BIOS.
5. Then.....you reconnect the HDD and proceed with messing with the HDD.
Tell the new Steam client about that location, delete whatever (old Windows) off the HDD.
- Dec 2, 2009
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No, your movies, music, pics, documents (basically things that are not a program) can stay too. You will just need to navigate to them when you want to use them or add their current location to the windows libraries.
What I mean by that is (for example) pictures normally reside in c:\user\username\pictures. (this will only have the sample pictures in them since its a fresh windows install) But your old 1TB HDD has the existing stuff in the same location but under another drive letter. What I suggest is create a new top level folder for each item (Pictures, Videos, Music, Documents) on the 1tb drive (lets call it D: for now) Then copy the pictures under d:\user\username\pictures to d:\Pictures (repeat for the other types) Then, when done, you can add D:\Pictures to the Pictures library locations and they will show up.
To add a new location to a library, bring up explorer and int he left hand pane Right Click on the library you wish to update (pictures in our example) and then left click on properties. In the new windows you will see a list of the current locations and there's an 'Include a Folder' button just below it. Click on it and navigate to the folder you want to include in that library (D:\Pictures for our example)
After a month, when you are sure there isn't more you want to rescue from the d:\windows folders (like browser favorites, emails, ...) you can delete it should you choose to
What I mean by that is (for example) pictures normally reside in c:\user\username\pictures. (this will only have the sample pictures in them since its a fresh windows install) But your old 1TB HDD has the existing stuff in the same location but under another drive letter. What I suggest is create a new top level folder for each item (Pictures, Videos, Music, Documents) on the 1tb drive (lets call it D: for now) Then copy the pictures under d:\user\username\pictures to d:\Pictures (repeat for the other types) Then, when done, you can add D:\Pictures to the Pictures library locations and they will show up.
To add a new location to a library, bring up explorer and int he left hand pane Right Click on the library you wish to update (pictures in our example) and then left click on properties. In the new windows you will see a list of the current locations and there's an 'Include a Folder' button just below it. Click on it and navigate to the folder you want to include in that library (D:\Pictures for our example)
After a month, when you are sure there isn't more you want to rescue from the d:\windows folders (like browser favorites, emails, ...) you can delete it should you choose to
popatim :
No, your movies, music, pics, documents (basically things that are not a program) can stay too. You will just need to navigate to them when you want to use them or add their current location to the windows libraries.
What I mean by that is (for example) pictures normally reside in c:\user\username\pictures. (this will only have the sample pictures in them since its a fresh windows install) But your old 1TB HDD has the existing stuff in the same location but under another drive letter. What I suggest is create a new top level folder for each item (Pictures, Videos, Music, Documents) on the 1tb drive (lets call it D: for now) Then copy the pictures under d:\user\username\pictures to d:\Pictures (repeat for the other types) Then, when done, you can add D:\Pictures to the Pictures library locations and the will show up.
To add a new location to a library, bring up explorer and int he left hand pane Right Click on the library you wish to update (pictures in our example) and then left click on properties. In the new windows you will see a list of the current locations and there's an 'Include a Folder' button just below it. Click on it and navigate to the folder you want to include in that library (D:\Pictures for our example)
After a month, when you are sure there isn't more you want to rescue from the d:\windows folders (like browser favorites, emails, ...) you can delete it should you choose to
What I mean by that is (for example) pictures normally reside in c:\user\username\pictures. (this will only have the sample pictures in them since its a fresh windows install) But your old 1TB HDD has the existing stuff in the same location but under another drive letter. What I suggest is create a new top level folder for each item (Pictures, Videos, Music, Documents) on the 1tb drive (lets call it D: for now) Then copy the pictures under d:\user\username\pictures to d:\Pictures (repeat for the other types) Then, when done, you can add D:\Pictures to the Pictures library locations and the will show up.
To add a new location to a library, bring up explorer and int he left hand pane Right Click on the library you wish to update (pictures in our example) and then left click on properties. In the new windows you will see a list of the current locations and there's an 'Include a Folder' button just below it. Click on it and navigate to the folder you want to include in that library (D:\Pictures for our example)
After a month, when you are sure there isn't more you want to rescue from the d:\windows folders (like browser favorites, emails, ...) you can delete it should you choose to
And if i set boot priority to the SSD, my HDD should not interfer correct?
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