A Question about SSD's Changing HDD Drive letter etc.

[Siveria]

Ok Currently my Windows 7 is on the C drive, now my question is this: Is there a way I can say put in a SSD, then copy my entire windows and the Programs Files, Program Files x86 and the users folder to it, then switch my old HDD to the D drive and the SSD to the C and have it work just fine?

Is there an easy way to do this? or will it require me to reinstall windows to do it? Been thinking about getting a 120 GB ssd for my os/program drive, and using my 1.5 tb drive as storage.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Any imaging program should be able to do it. Macrium Reflect seems to be a popular one, and it's free. There are guides on how to use it in the Tutorials section here.

That being said, with some planning ahead, a clean install can take under 2 hours (complete with apps), and I have always preferred that method to ensure my SSD was set up and aligned properly. When Windows 7's installer detects an SSD on an AHCI controller, the OS configures itself properly for the drive.

 

[Siveria]

Hmm I could do that I guess, not like I'll lose any data since its a new hdd, I assume i'd just have to switch the drive letters? Also I got my pc from gateway so.. (yeah yeah I know it was a gift didn't have time for a custom built since it had to be bought when the buyer was visiting). I have a recovery disc but no actual windows 7 disc, though I do have a windows 7 Ultimate 64bit disc, but I have no idea what drivers I would need for my mobo etc, since its all on the recovery disc.

 

[DeaconFrost]

You can always download the drivers from Gateway, and I'll give the usual link that's always posted on here, but you can download your own .iso image for the version and platform of Windows 7 you have a license key for. It's a plain disc, not a recovery.

You wouldn't have to do anything for drive letters, if you did a clean install. Just remove the HDD, install the SSD, and then install Wndows 7. Once it is up and running, add the HDD back in. It would likely be E, if you have an optical disc drive, but you can always go into Disk Management and swap them...to make the HDD D and the ODD E.

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life