How to run a new SSD in an old system with a running HDD

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Peasqueak

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Apr 28, 2017
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I have just purchased and received a new Samsung 850 EVO SSD and installed it into my computer. I have an old 1TB HDD with all my Steam games, photo software, 7zip, and just random stuff that I want to keep. I want to delete Windows off of the old HDD and have it run off my SSD. I also want to keep all of my old programs. I do have a spare 1TB external hard drive if needed for the process.

I have so far put the SSD into the computer, installed a fresh install of windows onto it using a flash drive, changed the boot order so that the SSD comes first and am now running off the SSD. I have only updated the graphics driver so my screen is now in 1080p, and installed google chrome. My desktop is blank with the exception of google chrome, the recycle bin, and my background which transferred over with my Microsoft account.

I want to keep literally everything I can on the HDD if possible and only delete Windows. If all the programs will work that way I can theoretically just change the file location of certain programs from the HDD to the SSD. Right?

I forgot to say that I did not put a product key in when installing Windows. How do I find my current product key (that is to say the product key of my old windows on the HDD) and put that into the Windows installed on my SSD.
 
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mjslakeridge
As I said above, you can't easily remove Windows from the HDD. I personally would save the files on the HDD to an external drive, format the HDD and re-install the Programs on either the SSD or HDD and move the files back over to the HHD from the external. That way you know everything will work properly and you will have freed up a lot of space on the HDD.
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Peasqueak

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I have gimp installed on my HDD. Would I have to delete Gimp off my HDD and reinstall it back onto the HDD for it to be used? Also say for instance I wanted avast on my SSD for some reason. Id delete avast off the HDD and put it on my SSD?

 
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mjslakeridge

mjslakeridge

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Mar 6, 2013
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When you did the clean install of Windows on the new SSD, was the old HDD connected to the system? If yes, you may run into problems in the future, due to boot files getting written to the HDD when Windows was being installed to the SSD. If you ever remove the HDD, it fails, or you format it, your may not be able to boot into Windows any longer. Since you are not too far into the process, I would suggest disconnecting the HDD, and doing another clean install of Windows onto the SSD.

Is this Windows 10? If so, Microsoft "knows" your product key and it will be locked to your motherboard, so once the Windows installation is complete, it will authorize Windows by itself (assuming you use your Microsoft ID to log into Windows).

You can't really delete Windows from the old HDD, as bits and pieces of it are spread around, unless you want to go into the registry and make changes.
 
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Peasqueak

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Apr 28, 2017
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Windows 10
When I installed it I took out the SATA cable and power to the HDD. I then put in the SSD and did a fresh install of windows using the windows media player, downloading a copy of windows 64x pro to a flash drive, and booting the flash drive when running the PC. I then installed Windows onto the SSD. I didn't insert a product key but I seem to have everything Windows has.

My questions is how do I now remove Windows from the HDD so I have more storage on that, or remove whatever files I can from it if I need to keep something. Also, if I'm able to just copy and paste the programs, create a shortcut and whatnot, just use it normally.

EDIT - I seem to be able to access some programs in my old HDD and be able to run them fine, while others come up with a registry error. Is it worth going through and trying every program or should I just decide to save my games and certain files, and reinstall all the programs




 
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mjslakeridge

mjslakeridge

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Mar 6, 2013
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As I said above, you can't easily remove Windows from the HDD. I personally would save the files on the HDD to an external drive, format the HDD and re-install the Programs on either the SSD or HDD and move the files back over to the HHD from the external. That way you know everything will work properly and you will have freed up a lot of space on the HDD.
 
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