Windows 7: Fresh win7 install to SSD

Hey guys,

I've been thinking about buying a new SSD, which I want to install Win 7 on. I currently have Windows 7 installed to an old piece of junk 80gb SATA drive (and have a seperate 500GB drive) and would really like to just have Win 7 on my SSD. Is there a way I can do this without affecting any of the programs/files I currently have on my system? (I just don't have to have to re-install games/programs etc due to the fresh install)

Thanks,



Jack.

Hi,

I'm unsure about your question, you haven't really phrased your issue very well....are you asking whether its possible to just install Windows 7 to the SSD? If so, then the answer is YES.

Regards,
Golden

If you have Acronis True Image Plus or Paragon or something in that range, yes. You can create an image and then install that image to a new drive. However, you would have to make sure that you enable AHCI in old drive so it will be in image that will go on the new drive. Then you need to change bios to AHCI mode before restoring image. If you already have AHCI enabled (I doubt it) then all you need is the image software.

Personally, I would do a clean install, unless I didn't have the time at hand.

@ Golden: I do not want Windows 7 on my old 80GB HDD, I want it on an SSD. Here's an example, I have -->

1 * 80GB SATA (Windows 7 HERE + some files/programs)
1 * 500GB Seagate (programs etc.. here)
1 * SSD (nothing here, assume uninstalled)

I want to convert this to --->

1 * 80GB SATA (some files/programs)
1 * 500GB Seagate (programs etc.. here)
1 * SSD (Windows 7 HERE)

@ Zardoc: Reinstalling would be a MASSIVE pain in the behind! I don't have most of the install files for my old games/programs and I really just want Windows 7 of my SSD - while everything else stays the same. I'm assuming this is what you mean by re-install - wiping everything clean and reinstalling all my programs

Hello jack40k, welcome to Seven Forums!



If you want to clean install Windows 7 to the new SSD and have only that usable as an Operating System, the best way is to power down the PC disconnect all the HDD data cables from the motherboard and leave only the SSD connected to the mobo to do the clean install.

Connect the SSD data cable to the #1 SATA port and set it as second boot device after the DVD drive and boot the Windows 7 DVD.

Then after the install completes power down the PC and reconnect the other HDDs and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Jack welcome to SevenForums
This is a link to some info about SSD's. Good luck to you with your endeavor.
Windows 7 and SSDs: Setup secrets and tune-up tweaks | ZDNet

Take a look at this tutorial:
Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer

Since you have Seagate you can use their excellent free Acronis cloning/imaging application to clone over the HD to SSD. Just follow the steps given in the manual included: | Seagate

Afterwards to you can tune your SSD some if needed with these tips: SSD Alignment
SSD Tweaks and Optimizations in Windows 7

If I follow this process, will I have to reinstall all of my existing applications? Or will everything just magically work?

(Thank you everyone else for the great suggestions)

Hello Jack.



No matter what you do, if you do a clean install you will have to reinstall all the programs/apps that you use, they integrate themselves into the Windows registry and are not moveable from one Windows install to another so be sure to save the activation keys where applicable.
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