how to migrate os to ssd and remove partitions

[funnybones24]

hi
Q1)i have 2 partitions in a 2tb western digital hard drive 1 partition is 511gb and another is 1.31tb the 511gb partition has windows on it and is primary, the other is a secondary. the 511gb has used 76.2gb the other has used 233gb because it has my steam and origin on it. i am planning to buy an external hard drive could i merge my partitions using external hard drive without losing any data.

Q2)also i may also buy a 128gb ssd(the ssd: http://tinyurl.com/nw33xf2) with the external hard drive (the external hdd: http://tinyurl.com/msg9kpm). the hard drive will back up everything in both partitions but then how do i move the os to the ssd. after the windows is on ssd how will i merge the partitions.

my os is windows 7 ultimate 64bit

thank you in advance

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Welcome to Tom's Hardware, funnybones24!

It's high recommended to perform a fresh install of Windows OS if you have the installation media or if it's pre-installed on your computer with the same product activation key.
But if you don't have it, I guess cloning is the next best thing. You can use Acronis True image WD Edition software to clone/migrate your WD HDD to the SSD. One of the perks of the software is the feature that allows you to select manually what gets cloned.
Before tempering with the storage and the partitions, performing a backup is necessary. Here are a couple of links that might be useful to you:
http://www.acronis.com/en-us/support/documentation/ATI2015/index.html#21793.html
How to automatically clone a disk with Acronis - http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=6FVUJj
How to manually clone a disk with Acronis - http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=JuqbVs

Hope this was helpful. Let me know if you have more questions!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[funnybones24]

It's high recommended to perform a fresh install of Windows OS if you have the installation media or if it's pre-installed on your computer with the same product activation key
SuperSoph_WD

could you run me through the steps of a fresh install and keep all my old data

 

[Pooneil]

If you have a user purchased version of Windows, rather than an OEM installed version, read this article. Scroll down about 3/4 of the way to find the Win 7 section.

http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/new-ways-to-get-free-windows-installation-media/

Following the recommendation I just completed and SSD install from a thumb drive. It was on an old machine that originally came with Vista which I had upgraded to Win 7 on my own. It was the easiest and fastest install I've ever done. The old guy now hums along almost as if he were brand new.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

It's high recommended to perform a fresh install of Windows OS if you have the installation media or if it's pre-installed on your computer with the same product activation key
SuperSoph_WD

could you run me through the steps of a fresh install and keep all my old data

Hi again, funnybones24!

You should back up your files to an external or another storage device.
Here's an optimization guide for SSD and HDD in Windows 7 you need to look over first: http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds
Then follow the steps in this tutorial for the clean install steps: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
However, keep in mind that you need to unplug the HDD while you install the OS on the SSD. Otherwise, you might experience an OS confusion that will result in boot issues later on. So make sure you that the solid-state drive is the only storage device connected to the mobo.

Hope this helped! Keep me posted!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[funnybones24]

thank you for all your help SuperSoph_WD