Upgrading from Vista to 10 with new SSD

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kneelsmith

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Jan 15, 2010
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Hi
I have an ageing PC running Windows Vista on a HDD. I want to install an SSD and install Windows 10 on it and use this as the C driven and use the existing HDD as a D drive.
All components were high end when new so all are capable of running Windows 10
My question is, can I somehow transfer all programs / documents etc from the HDD to the SSD?
I have searched for this but can't find an answer. There are plenty of folk saying clone the HDD to the SSD and then upgrade to Windows 10 but I have also read that Vista cannot be upgraded to 10 without first upgrading to Windows 7 or 8 but I really don't want to buy a registration key for 7 and 10
My second question is, once I have installed Windows 10 on the SSD do I have to format the HDD as it will still have Vista installed on it
Worst comes to the worst I can format the HDD and clean install 10 on the SSD as I still have most of the programs on disk and can easily save all documents to a dongle
Thanks in advance
 
Solution
why_wolf
your best course of action since you have Vista, and not 7 or 8, is to clean install Windows 10 to the SSD first. Then connect your old C drive back in and make sure the computer boots to the new SSD (this will make it the C drive). The old drive will show up as your D drive and you can copy and paste files from it to the C drive if you want.

You won't be able to copy and paste programs. You need to install those anew to your SSD once W10 is installed. Once that's all done just reformat the old drive and it will be a blank D drive that you can do whatever you want with.
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why_wolf

why_wolf

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Aug 28, 2015
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your best course of action since you have Vista, and not 7 or 8, is to clean install Windows 10 to the SSD first. Then connect your old C drive back in and make sure the computer boots to the new SSD (this will make it the C drive). The old drive will show up as your D drive and you can copy and paste files from it to the C drive if you want.

You won't be able to copy and paste programs. You need to install those anew to your SSD once W10 is installed. Once that's all done just reformat the old drive and it will be a blank D drive that you can do whatever you want with.
 
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Solution
USAFRet

USAFRet

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1. There is no direct upgrade from Vista to Win 10. That will be a full, clean install. Nor should you try to go through the trail of tears of Vista->7 or 8->10. Just install Win 10 clean on the new SSD
2. You'll have to reinstall all your applications. There is no cut/paste
3. Move any of your personal files off that HDD, and wipe it completely. Not just 'format', but rather delete ALL existing partitions on it. Then use it as desired.

What size/make/model SSD are you getting?
 
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