How to install windows on an SSD while preserving HDD's programs?


  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 home premium 64
       #1

    How to install windows on an SSD while preserving HDD's programs?


    Sorry but the title is too short :P
    Hey all, I'm new and I just bought the 830 128GB, and am having some trouble installing windows on it.
    Basically, I have the GA-Z77-D3H motherboard and a 1tb HDD that I had for 5 month before I got this SSD today. My friend told me that I can install the OS on the SSD and still have the programs on the HDD running without reinstalling everything. First of all, is that correct? If so, how do I do it exactly? Install windows on the SSD and set it as first in boot sequence? I did that (I think) and it just gave me a brand new windows 7, with all the programs'es files on the E drive, but unable to run and start.
    Please help me ASAP, I really want to have a 15 seconds boot time before I go to sleep :P
    Thanks, so much, in advance, and I hope you have a great day!
    EDIT: formatting is just done for the SSD, and I really don't know how to set up the boot sequence and how to install windows on the SSD correctly. Please help, I am a newb when it comes to computers, really.
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  2. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 home premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Guys, please answer, I am really nervous about this, if I thought wrong I just spent some bunch of cash.. Please, answer, I wanna go to sleep :P
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  3. Posts : 30
    win 7 64 home premium
       #3

    i have new ssd and old 500hdd as backup. i made macrium image of main c on 500. then put that on the ssd (have to get partitions the same first), then set boot drive. no problems. you might need to unplug the hdd to try ssd first.
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  4.    #4

    Where are your programs and files located? Is the E:\ partition on the SSD or HDD?

    Clean Install Windows 7
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  5. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 home premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I did not format the HDD, I did format the SSD but it only had the OS on it. I can still run the OS on the HDD.
    @clas, so you say copying the windows files from C to E (ssd) will let me run windows from the SSD while still being able to run all the programs on the HDD without having to reinstall everything?
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  6.    #6

    Is the E:\ partition on the SSD or HDD?
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  7. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 home premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Right now, using the HDD as main drive with all my programs working just fine, the SSD is E, and HDD is C.
    I just want to be able to boot windows from the SSD without reinstalling almost everything back on the HDD and SSD.
    EDIT: Because, you know, when the HDD's OS is down for some reason, you can start windows from a CD and it works just fine, I want the SSD to act like the CD
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  8. Posts : 30
    win 7 64 home premium
       #8

    Taltal said:
    I did not format the HDD, I did format the SSD but it only had the OS on it. I can still run the OS on the HDD.
    @clas, so you say copying the windows files from C to E (ssd) will let me run windows from the SSD while still being able to run all the programs on the HDD without having to reinstall everything?
    no, if you first make a macrium reflect image of the c drive that is on your hdd and your boot partition. then that image will contain the operating system and all your installed programs and whatever else is on your c drive plus your boot partition. then, using macrium again, do a restore. you will restore that image to your new ssd drive. at that point your new ssd will be exactly like your old hard drive..the c and boot partitions. then you just set your boot order to start with the ssd drive. to test it just unplug the hard drive and leave the ssd to boot.
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  9. Posts : 30
    win 7 64 home premium
       #9

    i would think that this is what you are shooting for: you want your new ssd drive to contain your operating system and all your installed programs and your boot partition. if you have a 128g ssd, i would partition it as c=75g and e=45g
    then on your other hdd, have one partion the same size as your c on the ssd and the other partition all the rest. then make a macrium reflect image like i said before and restore it to your new c partition on your ssd..along with the boot partion which is small. then your ssd will have the operating system and all your installed programs to be quick as a bunny...hahah and you can use the hdd data partition, the big one, for all your stuff.
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  10.    #10

    You want the Programs installed on the SSD to benefit from the faster speeds. With that size SSD you should also be able to fit your User folders on it but if not or if they become too large, copy them as needed to the data HD and rightclick each to link to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums. This avoids problems.

    When you're ready to remove the OS from the HD, move the data to another partition or back it up externally to correctly delete the OS partition, then repartition or resize the data partition into it using Partition Recover Space Used by an Older OS
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