How to use data from hard drive on new SSD fresh install

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alex25400

Apr 2, 2018
9
0
10
Sorry, I realize that the title makes no sense. Recently I bought a new SSD that's 120GB and put a fresh install of windows 10 on to it. Previously, I was running Windows 10 off of a 2TB HDD with all the files on a single partition. I thought I could just use my old account off the HDD while the SSD ran windows. I seem to have been mistaken.

My question is how do I reinstall all my programs and save them on the hard drive? Can I just reinstall them to the hard drive's program files folder? How can I save the old settings for my programs? Also, a lot of files and shortcuts from the hard drive don't work because they expect a file on the C: drive but now the hard drive is E: can that be fixed?

I realize that was a lot but this is just a nightmare someone help me, please?
 
Solution
USAFRet


You need to actually reinstall your applications.
You can install them on whichever drive, but they do need to be reinstalled.

And for that little 120GB SSD, you're going to need some space management:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

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CountMike

CountMike

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Oct 31, 2015
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Account has nothing to do with disk, it goes with windows. If you don't remember details just boot of the old HDD and write them down. As fro using programs from old drive, you'll just have to reinstall most and point them to original location because they need to install some files to C: and write some data to registry to work. To check if a program can work as installed, just find it's .exe file and if it works you can make a desktop link/icon on new system.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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You need to actually reinstall your applications.
You can install them on whichever drive, but they do need to be reinstalled.

And for that little 120GB SSD, you're going to need some space management:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

 
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Solution
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alex25400

Apr 2, 2018
9
0
10
I know I have to reinstall them, but what I mean is if I reinstall them do you think that my old settings will be overwritten or will it be able to find them again automatically as long as I install to the same location. Also I can just install programs to the hard drive so i don't have to waste space on the SSD right?
 
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alex25400

Apr 2, 2018
9
0
10
Well that sucks, wish I had 2 hard drives from the beginning. I think I'm going to return the 120 the drive and save up for a 500gb drive so I can at least transfer over my old user on the hard drive. That would solve most of my issues and the rest I can do manually. Though I have like 100 programs so that will be a damn pain.
 
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alex25400

Apr 2, 2018
9
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10
Sadly not. I don't really have $500 for a 2tb ssd either. I should just bite the bullet and set up a 2 drive system otherwise I could!r have a problem in 10 years and it will be even harder to migrate.
 
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CountMike

CountMike

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Oct 31, 2015
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It may be some more work but definitely cheaper get an SSD of 250 - 500MB and reinstall OS and programs. Even when games are installed on a HDD it doesn't slow them down, only eventually their start and cut scenes. Steam has some utility for their games to do that with minimal download and to keep your games current without loosing settings an game saves. Look at it.
 
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