installing windows on ssd from a hdd?

[SavageCupcake]

hi guys

just wondering if its possible to copy my windows over to an ssd ( when i get one) and keep all the installation then leave my steam games and multimedia on the hdd. im looking at the muskin chronos 120gb or 180gb as they are crazy cheap at the moment and seem to have the same kind of performance as more expensive drives. i just dont really want the hassle of having to reinstall all my programs and windows again

if its easier to just do a clean install then i will but i would prefer to just copy it over

any help would be great

p.s ive got windows 7 home premium 64 bit OEM

 

[S_I_N]

it can be cloned over but I strongly recommend complete re-install. cloning might upset the alignments of the blocks.

 

[SavageCupcake]

ah ok then mate

not decided on whether to get an ssd yet but if i do get one ill re install if it could mess up stuff

thanks

 

[Neuromancer]

Use a imaging software that does NOT do a bit for bit copy. (I use Terabyte Image for DOS which is not free, I am not sure how the larger ones work now).

Do a complete cleanup of your HDD, reduce pagefile, eliminate hiberfil.sys and system restore points.

A few minutes of work will save a LOT of time in the actual transfer from one drive to another

If windows 7 alignment is fine, and a good image software can be set to use alignment anyway. After imaging remove HDD and then load up. Windows should see it is an SSD and enable trim and disable defrag on its own.

As far as Steam games go I have no input there. I know there is software that will move your games for you but I have no experience with them.

 

[Tindo]

Acronis true image software

 

[mArTyN]

A clean install is always the way to go.

 

[006409]

clean install will garantee blocks align redusing wear increasing the life span of the ssd, itll also increase preformance.

steam games wise just coppy this directery and then when you install steam again paste them back in. once thats done click download in steam and itll find the folder instead

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common

 

[SavageCupcake]

alright cheers guys

when i get one ill do a clean install, going to have plenty of time during study leave to reinstall everything