[Solved] How to change boot drives and how to clean SSD

[TomT_09]

I want to change my boot disk from my C: HDD to an SSD I have fitted. How do I do this without losing my data and programs?

 

[ubercake]

Your programs will have to be re-installed to reference your new boot drive appropriately.

A fresh install of the OS to the SSD would be best in your situation. But if you don't want to re-install the OS, you can uninstall your apps and then clone your HDD to your SSD, boot to your SSD and then re-install your apps to your HDD.

Hindsight being 20/20, I've found it's always easiest to upgrade your boot drive if you don't put any apps on it. I just put my OS and drivers on one SSD. That way, if a new SATA spec comes along (ie SATA IV), I can just clone my OS/driver drive and everything else stays in its place. Apps are on separate HDD or SSD drives and data on other drives.

 

[TomT_09]

Your programs will have to be re-installed to reference your new boot drive appropriately.

A fresh install of the OS to the SSD would be best in your situation. But if you don't want to re-install the OS, you can uninstall your apps and then clone your HDD to your SSD, boot to your SSD and then re-install your apps to your HDD.

Hindsight being 20/20, I've found it's always easiest to upgrade your boot drive if you don't put any apps on it. I just put my OS and drivers on one SSD. That way, if a new SATA spec comes along (ie SATA IV), I can just clone my OS/driver drive and everything else stays in its place. Apps are on separate HDD or SSD drives and data on other drives.

Thanks, not too difficult as I can copy the drive and re-install from copy.
Thanks again,
Tom

 

[bit_slinger]

The problem with the solution offered is that the registry does not change. You have to make your new SSD the c:\ drive (assuming C: is your normal boot disk).

Here is an article discussing this proceedure.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223188