Windows 7: SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

Introduction

If you never owned an SSD, you have missed something. Yes, they are not cheap, but Dollar per Dollar there...

Gaine,

Personally, I prefer to just do a clean install of Windows 7 to the SSD to avoid any potential issues by trying to transfer it instead.

Saying that, you would need to have another HDD to do the The OS transfer part of the tutorial by making an image of the C: drive using a program like Macrium Reflect that would then be restored to the "unallocated" space on the SSD.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

I have an additional 1Tb Toshiba external drive I plan on using for the OS Transfer. However, if I just clean install Windows 7 on the SSD, do I have to still transfer the C: drive, or will it automatically create a new C: drive on the unallocated space?

Yes, a clean install would create a new C on the SSD. If you decide on a clean install, then I would remove or unplug the internal HDD, and clean install Windows 7 to the SSD. Afterwards, you could connect the HDD back, and copy any personal files you want to the SSD.

Since you have a 1TB HDD, you could easily go with either option. It's just a matter of what you would like to do. A transfer could save you more time by not having to reinstall everything with a clean install, but a clean install would have less chances of having issues.

Hope this helps some.

Hmm, i hate to say this, but i really dont feel like reinstalling all my drivers, so going back to my original question: How do i go about creating the C drive in the unallocated space on the SSD?

You don't directly create a C drive on the SSD.

Instead, you make an image file of the existing C drive. You store that image file on some other drive---probably an external.

Then you restore that image to the SSD.

Macrium Reflect Free Edition is probably the most commonly used application for the task. You will need to make a bootable recovery disk within Macrium. You boot from that recovery disk to restore the image. If you can't boot the recovery disk for whatever reason, you cannot restore.

If it works as advertised, the SSD will then have a bootable C partition.

If it does not work, the alternative is a clean install.

Another alternative is Paragon Migrate, designed specifically for the task. It is well-regarded, but costs $20.

Thanks so much ..... I finally found a tutorial that showed me how to enable AHCI and .... IT WORKS!!!!!

Nice Job! ..... took the leap of faith and it paid off.!
Thanks
Westy

Thank you, the instructions weren't very clear with that transition, so i thought i had to define a C drive on the SSD before the OS transfer. I'll give this a shot when i get the time, and lets hope it all works!

@Gaine, yes Macrium Reflect does all the "heavy lifting" for you. It's great.

Well, it would appear that the current version of Macrium is not compatible with usb external hardrives, only flash drives. Does anyone know if the other suggested programs would work with and external usb HDD?