Copy data from HDD to SSD

[Sharpman85]

Hi,

 

I want to upgrade my storage device from a HDD to SSD. Currently all games are installed on D and I want to move them to SSD and switch the driver letters so that everything is run from there. Can I just copy all the contents to the SSD and then switch the drive letters after disconnecting the HDD? Is there an easy way to do it? I do not want to re-download anything and want to keep my current launchers (Steam, GOG Galaxy etc.) connected. I would prefer to avoid third party software if this can be done manually without problems.

[Kilrah]

If there is no OS install on that drive yes manual copy should work just fine.

[AndrewB121]

You can clone the HDD onto the SSD, but you'll need to use third party software.

 

Alternately if it'sjust game files you can just copy-paste everything, or move the files within steam. You'll need to switch the game launchers to point at the new files though. 

[Sharpman85]

2 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

If there is no OS install on that drive yes manual copy should work just fine.

No, there are only games and archived data unrelated to the OS. Can I just change the drive letter later? I want to keep the hierarchy.

 

3 minutes ago, AndrewB121 said:

You can clone the HDD onto the SSD, but you'll need to use third party software.

 

Alternately if it'sjust game files you can just copy-paste everything, or move the files within steam. You'll need to switch the game launchers to point at the new files though. 

I would like to keep the driver letter hierarchy if it is possible. What software would you suggest?

[Kilrah]

You can change letters in Windows Disk Management.

[AndrewB121]

Just now, Sharpman85 said:

No, there are only games and archived data unrelated to the OS. Can I just change the drive letter later? I want to keep the hierarchy.

 

I would like to keep the driver letter hierarchy if it is possible. What software would you suggest?

If you want to keep the drive letter I think you can just rename the drives in disk management, then copy everything over.  

[Sharpman85]

59 minutes ago, AndrewB121 said:

If you want to keep the drive letter I think you can just rename the drives in disk management, then copy everything over.  

I just remember that there are the actual game launchers on the HDD. They are not set to autostart, but can I just connect the SSD, and copy the data from HDD after changing the drive letters? Won't that mess up the registry and program locations?

 

EDIT: Or copy first and the reassign the letters.

[wolfxtr3m]

I know that you can change directories on steam and microsoft store (used once for fh3), about the other lunchers I don't know.

 

those games that you don't have installed from the store you can just move the folder of the game from the HDD to the SSD like @AndrewB121 said

1 hour ago, AndrewB121 said:

if it'sjust game files you can just copy-paste everything

 

[Kilrah]

Just install SSD, copy everything from the HDD onto it, remove the HDD, assign the old HDD letter to the SSD, done.

[AndrewB121]

48 minutes ago, Sharpman85 said:

I just remember that there are the actual game launchers on the HDD. They are not set to autostart, but can I just connect the SSD, and copy the data from HDD after changing the drive letters? Won't that mess up the registry and program locations?

 

EDIT: Or copy first and the reassign the letters.

What I would do is change the drive letters, then reinstall the actual game launchers onto the SSD, and then just copy the games themselves over. That way you avoid messing with any registry stuff to do with the launchers. 

[Kilrah]

There is no messing with registry. As long as the files are at the expected location, which will be the case after copying and changing letters it's all good.

[Jimjamesjimothy8]

Just use a disk cloning software (e.g. macrium reflect) to copy everything at once. Much less hassle than manually transferring everything.