New PC Windows 10, will add SSD
- Thread starter BeMi30
- Start date
Solution
Assuming you are wanting to swap the HDD with an SSD --- First thing would be to make sure the current HDD doesn't have more written to it than the capacity of the SSD you want to replace it with. If it doesn't/won't, then I wouldn't see any issues with configuring everything now, and then when you get the SSD, use something like Acronis to clone the HDD contents to the SSD and all will be good. It will most likely boot, install any new drivers for the SSD and then request a reboot.
Just a tip if you use Acronis -- It gets picky sometimes when you clone. It seems to work best to put the new SSD where the HDD is and then hook the HDD to another SATA port or USB adapter.
Just a tip if you use Acronis -- It gets picky sometimes when you clone. It seems to work best to put the new SSD where the HDD is and then hook the HDD to another SATA port or USB adapter.
Thanks fo the reply. Should be OK, the SSD I ordered is 250 G. What is the best way to check the size of the content on the HDD prior to configuring Windows 10, will the BIOS be easily accessible? I intend to keep the original HDD as secondary drive. But because the PC is brand new, I was wondering what is the easiest sequence to configure Windows and install the SSD. I expect that, since it is a new PC (still unwrapped), the Windows install files are on the HDD that comes with the PC.
- Mar 16, 2013
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Well, you have to at least turn it on first.
What SSD are you getting?
To move the OS to the new drive, you have 2 options: Clean install on the SSD, or clone everything from the HDD to the SSD.
Clean install is just that. A brand new installation. You have to reinstall everything else as well. Drivers, applications, etc.
Cloning takes the current contents of the HDD and puts it on the SSD. Swap SATA cables around and off you go.
Detailed steps here:
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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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Thanks again, SSD is Samsung 850 EVO 250GB SATA III, the PC is ACER TC-780-EB11 (Intel Core i5-7400/1TB HDD/12GB RAM/Intel HD 630 Graphics/Windows 10). If I install the SSD before configuring Windows 10, and then boot up, will I have the option to install Windows 10 on the SSD, or is there a risk that it won't be seen by the system at that point (i.e. no prior configuration).
If you've already booted up the machine, take a look at the File Explorer (where it shows all the drives) and you can right-click > properties on the C:\. Under the General tab it will tell you how much used space you have. If it doesn't exceed the 250GB size of the SSD, you're good to do a clone.
I suggest the clone option because of what you mentioned, the factory image probably sits on the current HDD. If you just do updates and a few program installs to it, you should be good to clone. Would wait to move anything from an old pc or HDD until after you have cloned. I've always used Acronis to clone so that's what I would suggest, but other people might have some other options for you.
If you do go with Acronis, I suggest putting the SSD into the default bay before cloning. Then hookup the current HDD externally using a USB adapter or into the CD-Rom caddy. It seems to like that configuration best. Just make sure to boot to the CD-Rom drive. UEFI bios can be a pain to get into...hold the F2 or Del key BEFORE pressing power.
In the end, I decided to go with the cloning option suggested for an additional reason. Since the PC is new, I thought it would be better to configure with the initial components as is. That way, if anything is not working properly, the seller or manufacturer could not invoque that the warranty was voided by my installing an SSD in the system. But, I am still not sure which path is the most efficient. I thank all the nice people who volunteer to provide an answer. Have a great day!
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