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Boot SSD and Storage HDD

Tanix

Hello TechTips forums. My question is sorta brief and I'm sure it has been answered before (sorry in advance).
 
I am currently using a 2TB HDD for all of my storage and boot needs. My SSD is on its way and I need to be prepared for what I am getting into.
I want to use my SSD for boot, and continue to use my HDD for mass storage.
 
Every video I have seen on this topic focuses on both the SSD and the HDD not being used before, both drives are blank so there is nothing to try and recover.
Am I able to install Windows (8.1) onto the SSD and keep all of my files on the HDD?

 
HDD and SSD for reference.

 

Thank you for reading.

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You can clone the OS to the SSD but it's often a helluva lot messier than just a clean install. Try to see if you can borrow a 2TB drive and backup ALL the files to that drive then wipe the SSD and HDD. Now install windows on the SSD, setup drivers and everything else you need then transfer the files from the backup (So that's without the OS that was originally on there) back to your HDD.

 

That should work

RIG: I7-4790k @ 4.5GHz | MSI Z97S SLI Plus | 12GB Geil Dragon RAM 1333MHz | Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 (1550MHz core/7800MHz memory) @ +18mV(Maxed out at 1650/7800 so far) | Corsair RM750 | Samsung 840 EVO 120GB, 1TB Seagate Barracuda | Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Closed) | Sound Blaster Z                                                                                                                        Getting: Noctua NH-D15 | Possible 250GB Samsung 850 Evo                                                                                        Need a console killer that actually shits on every console? Here you go (No MIR/Promo)

This is why you should not get an FX CPU for ANY scenario other than rendering on a budget http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/286142-fx-8350-r9-290-psu-requirements/?p=3892901 http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/266481-an-issue-with-people-bashing-the-fx-cpus/?p=3620861

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Yes, just install windows on the SSD with the hard drive unplugged. once installed, you can plug your hard drive back in.

No, because windows will still be installed on the HDD, resulting in conflicts since the HDD is also bootable and not just your average storage drive.

RIG: I7-4790k @ 4.5GHz | MSI Z97S SLI Plus | 12GB Geil Dragon RAM 1333MHz | Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 (1550MHz core/7800MHz memory) @ +18mV(Maxed out at 1650/7800 so far) | Corsair RM750 | Samsung 840 EVO 120GB, 1TB Seagate Barracuda | Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Closed) | Sound Blaster Z                                                                                                                        Getting: Noctua NH-D15 | Possible 250GB Samsung 850 Evo                                                                                        Need a console killer that actually shits on every console? Here you go (No MIR/Promo)

This is why you should not get an FX CPU for ANY scenario other than rendering on a budget http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/286142-fx-8350-r9-290-psu-requirements/?p=3892901 http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/266481-an-issue-with-people-bashing-the-fx-cpus/?p=3620861

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No, because windows will still be installed on the HDD, resulting in conflicts since the HDD is also bootable and not just your average storage drive.

then you boot into the SSD and delete the windows install on the HDD.

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then you boot into the SSD and delete the windows install on the HDD.

Kinda hard to straight up delete the windows install without affecting the files on it. That's why I said do a file backup without the OS

RIG: I7-4790k @ 4.5GHz | MSI Z97S SLI Plus | 12GB Geil Dragon RAM 1333MHz | Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 (1550MHz core/7800MHz memory) @ +18mV(Maxed out at 1650/7800 so far) | Corsair RM750 | Samsung 840 EVO 120GB, 1TB Seagate Barracuda | Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Closed) | Sound Blaster Z                                                                                                                        Getting: Noctua NH-D15 | Possible 250GB Samsung 850 Evo                                                                                        Need a console killer that actually shits on every console? Here you go (No MIR/Promo)

This is why you should not get an FX CPU for ANY scenario other than rendering on a budget http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/286142-fx-8350-r9-290-psu-requirements/?p=3892901 http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/266481-an-issue-with-people-bashing-the-fx-cpus/?p=3620861

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You can clone the OS to the SSD but it's often a helluva lot messier than just a clean install. Try to see if you can borrow a 2TB drive and backup ALL the files to that drive then wipe the SSD and HDD. Now install windows on the SSD, setup drivers and everything else you need then transfer the files from the backup (So that's without the OS that was originally on there) back to your HDD.

 

That should work

Convenient that my friend has an unused 3TB back up drive. I can definitely try this. Is there a tool built into windows for backing up huge files like that? Or will I need extra software?

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Convenient that my friend has an unused 3TB back up drive. I can definitely try this. Is there a tool built into windows for backing up huge files like that? Or will I need extra software?

I believe windows has a tool for that but I'm not sure. Either way anything that is not installed can simply be dragged to the backup drive and things that are installed require an actual backup via software. If you're all right reinstalling things (If you have internet like me as well, 180/18) then you only really just need to drag files that aren't installed like movies, pictures, music, etc. to the backup.

 

My suggestion is if your internet is fast enough and/or you're patient enough just backup the non-installed files and reinstall the rest when you're done formatting the drive and reinstalling OS and things on your SSD.

 

I recommend you ask other people about good software for backup though, I never do it myself. I just reinstall :3

RIG: I7-4790k @ 4.5GHz | MSI Z97S SLI Plus | 12GB Geil Dragon RAM 1333MHz | Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 (1550MHz core/7800MHz memory) @ +18mV(Maxed out at 1650/7800 so far) | Corsair RM750 | Samsung 840 EVO 120GB, 1TB Seagate Barracuda | Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Closed) | Sound Blaster Z                                                                                                                        Getting: Noctua NH-D15 | Possible 250GB Samsung 850 Evo                                                                                        Need a console killer that actually shits on every console? Here you go (No MIR/Promo)

This is why you should not get an FX CPU for ANY scenario other than rendering on a budget http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/286142-fx-8350-r9-290-psu-requirements/?p=3892901 http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/266481-an-issue-with-people-bashing-the-fx-cpus/?p=3620861

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