Selecting SSD as boot drive (windows 10).

[Koroskun]

How to boot windows using your SSD.

1. Install the SSD into my PC.
2. Install Windows 10 on the SSD. (Change the SSD's name to "C:" and Harddisk's name to "D:")
3. Select the SSD to boot windows.
4. Delete "Windows" folder on D:. (Can I copy the contents to the SSD instead?, and should I?)
5. Copy all contents from the "Program Files" and "Program Files(x86)" folders into C:. (does this work?)


This is how far I've gotten in my planning, please do let me know of any errors I've made.
I don't really know anything when it comes to computers and hardware so I really need help here.

I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna boot my Windows on my SSD (~256GB) instead of on my harddisk and keep
as much of my stuff as possible. (games, save files, roaming folder (run->%appdata%).

Basically, what I'm trying to do is simply change my booting device into my SSD to make my windows faster without
removing ANYTHING (if possible) from my current windows.


If you read step 5, I wonder if you could do that with the Roaming folder aswell?
Unless there's a way simpler way to do what I'm trying to do.

If you know of a way I can do this, please let me know!

[Gen X]

You need to clone the drive and make sure the cluster size is changed. All that is sloppy mess

[Omega]

1. Install the SSD in the PC.
2. Start the Windows installer.
3. Continue with installation as normal until you get to the "where do you want to install Windows ?" screen.
4. Remove all partitions on the old drive.
5. Select the SSD from the drive list and continue with the installation.

If the SSD is the D:/ drive you are not booted on the SSD. Windows drive is always C:/ by default.


If you do not want to lose your old programs you will have to clone the HDD to the SSD.

[Koroskun]

I have a drive at ~900 gb with ~700-800 gb used, so erm..

[Omega]

Originally posted by Koroskun:

I have a drive at ~900 gb with ~700-800 gb used, so erm..

Then you will have to wipe it you can NOT move programs over to a new Windows installation.

[Koroskun]

Then shouldn't I just insall the windows on my SSD and boot it from there, keeping all my things on my harddisk ?

[chiefputsilao✖️ping]

if you don't want problems on boot drives, just remove sata cable on hdd prior to installation of windows OS on your SSD.
after windows OS installation, turn off computer and then reconnect sata cable on hdd.
then go into BIOS and select first boot device to boot from (SSD), save and exit BIOS.

[Omega]

Originally posted by Koroskun:

Then shouldn't I just insall the windows on my SSD and boot it from there, keeping all my things on my harddisk ?

No the programs will not work if you do that you will have to reinstall everything.

It is impossible to move software over to another Windows installation.


The only thing you can save is are your Steam games you can put them back in the C:\Program Files(x86)\Steam\steamapps\ after reinstalling steam on the new Windows steam will grab any files it is missing on its own.

[Koroskun]

I don't know how different drives cooporate with eachother, nor do I know why I should install windows on my SSD, my original plan was to put requiring games (games that make my current drive(harddisk) run at 100%) on the SSD and have that work well. Would this work or is it more complicated?

[Omega]

Originally posted by Koroskun:

I don't know how different drives cooporate with eachother, nor do I know why I should install windows on my SSD, my original plan was to put requiring games (games that make my current drive(harddisk) run at 100%) on the SSD and have that work well. Would this work or is it more complicated?

Use the SSD for Windows and the HDD for your games.

Create a second Steam game installation path in the steam settings on the HDD. https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

Keep the SSD as empty as possible it will increase its life span.

[Koroskun]

I have a very slow internet (1MB/s download).
Would be a huge pain to reinstall everything that I need.

I'd prefer if I could keep my windows on my C: disk and just play requiring games on my SSD in order for them to run well, that was my plan anyways.

[Omega]

Originally posted by Koroskun:

I have a very slow internet (1MB/s download).
Would be a huge pain to reinstall everything that I need.

I'd prefer if I could keep my windows on my C: disk and just play requiring games on my SSD in order for them to run well, that was my plan anyways.

A SSD will not make games run any better.

[Koroskun]

I don't know how it works but some games make my harddisk work at 100% meaning that my windows doesn't respond for a second, also meaning that the game freezes alot.

If i run games on my SSD which is WAY faster this shouldn't be a problem anymore.

[Talby]

I would back up all your data you want to keep (your profile & steam games for example) then start removing things to get your install down to about 200Gb or less. Then clone your HDD to your SSD using something like Macrium Reflect Free (I always use that one for some reason) and get the SSD up and running by itself. Then I would connect the HDD only and remove the bootable partition flag (I would use GParted or other bootable partition tool) helps with BIOS confusion. After that just connect up both SSD and HDD then restore what you need from your backup.

[Omega]

Originally posted by Koroskun:

I don't know how it works but some games make my harddisk work at 100% meaning that my windows doesn't respond for a second, also meaning that the game freezes alot.

If i run games on my SSD which is WAY faster this shouldn't be a problem anymore.

If your game freezes and your HDD start to run at 100% either you do not have enough RAM or the HDD is dying.

[Koroskun]

Then my HDD is dying. I've never seen my ram go above 80% usage.