Windows on SSD while keeping everything else on HDD.

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lordzake500

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Dec 19, 2017
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I am planning to get an SSD but do not want to go through a wipe of my HDD. I plan on Installing the same Windows i have in my HDD (Windows 8.1) on my SSD, and I have heard I can just unplug the HDD and do a clean install of Windows on the SSD. But afterwards can I just plug the HDD back in and have it function as another drive with everything readily accessible? Like would I be able to launch applications on my HDD fine and easily find folders and pictures and videos? or would I have to do something or do a wipe for me to be able to easily access everything. I just got a 250 gb SSD and have a 1 TB HDD.
 
Solution
USAFRet
Your applications currently existing on the HDD will likely NOT work.
Some may, but many/most will give you issues.

The path will be completely different, dll's will be lost, etc, etc.

Steam games can be used.

Your pics and videos will be OK. You'll probably have to do some fiddling with Take Ownership.
And of course, the old Windows install is just sitting there, wasting space.

Much better to wipe that drive and start over.
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aquielisunari

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Mar 31, 2011
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You got it right. Remove all drives except for the installation media and the SSD. That's exactly what I did.
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a few times.

The programs will most likely work. You have a new C: drive so some programs may be confused.

Are you a gamer? You may have to go into Steam(the program and not the folder)/Settings/Downloads/Steam Library Folders and tell it where your games are.
 
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rgd1101

rgd1101

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Nov 7, 2011
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MERGED QUESTION
Question from jaggispaceprogram : "SSD windows and HDD while keeping data"



 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Your applications currently existing on the HDD will likely NOT work.
Some may, but many/most will give you issues.

The path will be completely different, dll's will be lost, etc, etc.

Steam games can be used.

Your pics and videos will be OK. You'll probably have to do some fiddling with Take Ownership.
And of course, the old Windows install is just sitting there, wasting space.

Much better to wipe that drive and start over.
 
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Solution
popatim

popatim

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Dec 2, 2009
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In my experience
Games with Launchers, like Steam, Battle.net, Uplay, Origin, usually will work after you reinstall the launcher program and add the old location to the library list.
Most other programs will need to be reinstalled because they will be missing registry and/or appdata settings/files.
You can reinstall them to the old drive but things in the appdata & registry will end up on the C: drive as thats where the registry and appdata are.
 
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Major_Trouble

Major_Trouble

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Jun 25, 2007
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You will run into issues as your new SSD install of Windows won't know you've installed you're current programs etc Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Office, Steam etc etc. Your new Windows will be missing all sorts of registry entries that allow programs to run as they should.

You should really install all the programs you want so they're properly recognised.

If your current HDD is formated with NTFS, which it most likely is, you'd be better off backing up the files you want to keep and formating your HDD and copying those files back on.
 
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